Fresno's mayor and council president appoint FMBCC's CEO Tara L. Gray to Recovery Advisory Committee

By the ONME Newswire

FRESNO, CA -- Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, in collaboration with Council President Miguel Arias and Councilmembers Luis Chavez and Michael Karbassi, announced the formation of the Mayor’s Fresno Recovery Committee (FRC), an advisory panel to discuss best practices to kick-start Fresno’s economy and get the people of Fresno back to work within the parameters of community health and safety in conformance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s six critical indicators.

The FRC plan will involve three phases: Phase One will look at the State’s criteria to allow the phased re-opening of non-essential businesses and discuss relaxing local restrictions; Phase Two will review available local, state and federal resources to assist Fresno businesses in recovery from the impacts of closures and advocate for additional assistance for businesses and job training; and Phase Three will create plans to bring new business to Fresno to expand our recovery and provide additional good-paying jobs for our community.

“We need to start planning now so our residents and businesses can be fully prepared for the gradual process of economic recovery and a return to normal routine,” said Mayor Brand. “I am engaging community leaders from every facet of our economy to provide essential input so we can be ready to move forward in a deliberate and reasonable way without jeopardizing the health of our residents.”

A strong voice representing Fresno's African's American community appointed this week is Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (FMBCC) Chief Executive Officer, Tara Lynn Gray, who has a strong background in small business development, and training. Gray has been an advisor for Solano and Alameda counties small business development centers, served as a non-profit program manager and director of operations and as well as run her own Information Technology consulting business for 13 years. She is also the chair of the California Black Chamber of Commerce Foundation, where she has served for more than a decade.

Her other community involvement includes State of CA Employment Development Department Small Business Employer Advisory Committee (EDD SBEAC), Board Member of Child Haven Child Inc., Board Member of Sickle Cell Network, Board Member of Solano Center for Business Innovation, member of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), member of US Women’s Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Oakland Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Member of Solano County Democratic Central Committee and 2015-2017 Assembly District 11 State Delegate, 2019-2021 Senate District 3 Appointed Delegate, member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and Ordained at Abundant Life Worship Center in Vallejo, CA.

The Mayor’s Fresno Recovery Committee will meet using Zoom technology to follow social distancing protocols.  The advisory committee also includes: Lee Brand                   Mayor of Fresno (FRC Chair)

Jerry Dyer                   Mayor-elect of Fresno (FRC Vice-Chair)

Miguel Arias                Fresno City Council President – District 3

Mike Karbassi             Fresno City Councilmember – District 2

Luis Chavez                Fresno City Councilmember – District 5

Buddy Mendes            Chairman, Fresno County Board of Supervisors

Nathan Magsig            Fresno County Supervisor – District 5

Dave Pomaville           Director, Fresno County Dept. of Public Health

Michelle Von Tersh     Senior Vice-President, Community Medical Centers

Carole Goldsmith        President, Fresno City College

Nathan Ahle                President/CEO, Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce

Lee Ann Eager            President/CEO, Fresno Economic Development Corp.

Tara Lynn Gray Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce CEO and California

Black Chamber Foundation Chair

Henry Perea                CHRSA Board Member

Tony Canales              Vice-President, Central Labor Council

Mike Shirinian             State Board Member, California Restaurant Association

Sal Gonzales               Co-President/COO, Lance-Kashian & Company

Emilia Reyes               CEO, Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission

Tim Rios                      Senior VP, Community Relations Sr. Manager, Wells Fargo Cary Catalano             Commissioner, Fresno Housing Authority

TJ Miller                      City of Fresno PARCs Director, Emergency Operations Coordinator

Lupe Perez                  Economic Development Director, City of Fresno

Tim Orman                  Chief of Staff, City of Fresno

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