Business, Political Leaders Pack Valley Gala

BURBANK —  Capping off a red-letter day for the San Fernando Valley, more than 500 business and political leaders gathered Saturday night on the back lot at Warner Bros. Studios for the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley’s third annual Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony.

Originally launched in 1998 to enhance the profile of the Valley, this year’s event coincided with the opening of the Metro Rail’s Red Line in Universal City and North Hollywood.

Officials with the alliance said the subway opening will make the Valley even more visible with residents and tourists south of Mulholland Drive.

“It will not only connect more of L.A. to the Valley, but all of L.A’s world visitors will have an easier time getting access to what the Valley has to offer,” said former Economic Alliance Chief Executive Bill Allen.

The black-tie social set a fund-raising record this year, bringing in roughly $200,000, for the Valley business group.

Real estate developer Robert Voit, known to many as the “father of Warner Center,” was honored for his work in the business community and his philanthropic efforts.

Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City was lauded for “100 years of excellence in education.”

For the first time, the alliance handed out a special leadership award, which went to new Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks). Hertzberg is the first speaker from the Valley since Bob Moretti held the post a quarter of a century ago.

And a special, surprise award was given to Allen for this contributions to the growth of the organization. Allen left the alliance earlier this year to help launch Stars On Line, a company creating an Internet network of celebrity businesses.

“This event is a celebration of the San Fernando Valley, and the leaders that we have in the Valley, the stars of the Valley,” said David Fleming, longtime chairman of the group that was born after the 1994 Northridge earthquake to spur economic development in the region. “This is our once-a-year, coming-out party.”

The awards were given out “for community involvement, for going above and beyond the norm and for excellence in their achievements,” said Bruce Ackerman, who was hosting his first dinner as chief executive of the organization.

“We have record revenue and we’re selling out each year,” he added. “I’m excited about it.”