The third annual Meet the Decision Makers African American History Month Business Breakfast was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles on Thursday, February 22, 2018. Meet the Decision Makers celebrated two dynamic, high profile officials – L.A. City Council President, Herb Wesson and Los Angeles Word Airports Chief Development Officer, Robert “Bob” Gilbert.
With over 150 small business owners, faith leaders and community leaders in attendance, Meet the Decision Makers honored Council President Wesson for the decades of public service and commitment to uplifting communities throughout Los Angeles and LAWA’s Bob Gilbert for his leadership and innovation in aviation. KJLH radio personality, Dominique DiPrima served as mistress of ceremony.
Bob Gilbert shared that of the $1 billion that LAWA has spent thus far on LAX modernization, $350 million of that has been paid to small businesses. He also inspired the audience with his success story and words of encouragement. Gilbert said, “Success isn’t a straight path, it’s a ladder that you have to climb and when opportunity presents you with a door, it’s up to you to turn the knob and continue pushing for more.”
Also present were LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, City of West Hollywood Council member Lindsey Horvath, City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works President Kevin James, and representatives from the offices of Mayor Eric Garcetti and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office.
Meet the Decision Makers: Leaders on the Move was sponsored by Baflour Beatty, Jacobsen Daniels, Skanska, Los Angeles World Airports, Kiewit and WSP. An exclusive raffle of an autographed football was sponsored by the Los Angeles Rams.
Meet the Decision Makers was established as a public forum in 2014 to connect elected officials and major public sector decision-makers with small business owners, faith leaders and engaged citizens. In the past, Meet the Decision Makers has heard from decision makers such as City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Councilman Gil Cedillo, Supervisor Hilda Solis, Metro CEO Phillip Washington, and LAWA CEO Deborah Flint.
