Huffman outlines VICA plans.

The Valley Industry and Commerce Association has announced the hiring of Brendan Huffman as its next president. Huffman is currently director of public policy for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. He will assume his new role on April 17.

"I've been going to VICA events for 10 or 12 years, and I've always been impressed with the group's ability to address Valley business issues in a responsible and representative way," said Huffman, a resident of Studio City. "I'm always interested in an opportunity to improve not just the business climate but the quality of life in the region."

Huffman succeeds Bonny Herman, who served as president of VICA for 20 years.

A native Angeleno, Huffman graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science. He worked as a legislative aide for Assemblymen Butt Margolin and Wally Knox before taking a job as a senior account executive at PS Enterprises. an environmental consulting firm in Santa Monica. He was hired by the L.A. Chamber in 2002.

He's been familiar with the workings of VICA ever since he began attending meetings representing the 42nd Assembly District, he said.

"We were immediately impressed with Huffman," said Bob Scott, VICA's Chairman, in a news release. "His track record as a tenacious and proven leader at the L.A. Chamber of Commerce is the stuff of which legends are made; as is his innovative and collaborative creation of unlikely coalitions on issues of relevance, including business tax reform, transportation and workers' comp costs. Huffman definitely will vault VICA in a new direction, and grow the organization's membership and influence."

Huffman will be immediately confronted with developing a policy on the reform of the Los Angeles Unified School District and angling for the Valley's share of money in Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed bond measure.

David Fleming, a former VICA chair and the current vice-chair of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce said that Huffman's lobbying and advocacy experience are vital for VICA.

Scott has said that increasing membership at the association will also be a priority.

"That's a vision we share, we want VICA to continue to grow in its reputation as the Valley's advocate for the business community," Huffman said. "Part of that is growing the membership, and in my view the most important part is growing its influence."

Huffman said he'll be working particularly to encourage legislation that creates jobs and lures more companies. He said he'll also be fighting to make sure legislators remember the Valley when appropriating funds for schools and infrastructure projects like roads.

JONATHAN D. COLBURN

Staff Reporter