universal tech corp: June 2013

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Celebrate America June 29 & 30 at Twin Oaks Park in Rocklin

Celebrate America is one of the largest family-friendly fourth of July events in the Sacramento area. We are excited to welcome back as our special guest, American Idol Finalist, Danny Gokey.

The production includes a patriotic musical with over 150 cast members, a tribute to our military and first responders, Navy Seals Parachuting onto the venue, and concludes with spectacular aerial fireworks choreographed to music.

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Runner Responds to Budget Passage

George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Legislature’s approval of a budget:

“The Legislature should be commended for approving an on-time budget and exercising some measure of restraint.

“However, the success of this budget hinges on the decisions of a very small number of overtaxed Californians, their continued presence in California and their success in the stock market.

Liberty Utilities Awards Six Scholarships to Students

Liberty Utilities is pleased to announce the winners of its first annual high school and community college scholarships for students living within the utility’s service territory.

South Lake Tahoe High School – Sean Doyle
Loyalton High School – Thomas Ketchum
Coleville High School – Brenda Pineda
North Tahoe High School – Camille Joubert
Portola High School– Klint Williams
Lake Tahoe Community College – Gina Niceforo

Each high school senior received a $250 award, and the community college
student received a $500 award. A Liberty Utility representative attended
each of the school’s awards ceremony to personally congratulate the
student and present the check.

“We’re very pleased to be able to offer these scholarships to deserving
students,” said Mike Smart, President of Liberty Utilities-California.
“This is just one of the ways we can support the communities we serve.”

Former Stanford University Standout Mitch Pleis Joins William Jessup University as Athletic Director

William Jessup Universityannounced today it has hired former Stanford University football standout Mitch Pleis as its athletic director.

Mitch Pleis

A Granite Bay resident, Pleis will oversee the athletic department at William Jessup, expanding its programs and engagement with supporters. The Warriors currently have five men’s teams and six women’s teams.

Pleis grew up in an athletic family atmosphere in Lafayette, CA where his father, Wendell Pleis, was a highly successful high school football coach. Mitch was a three-sport standout at Del Valle High, where he and his two younger brothers played football for their father. All three later played collegiately in the Pac-10 Conference.

Mitch Pleis’ football background includes an association with a who’s who of high profile college and NFL coaches. He was a standout tight end for two seasons (1977-78) at Stanford under head coach Bill Walsh and one of his top assistants, George Seifert. Pleis also was coached by or was a member of the Stanford coaching staff that included Dennis Green, Jim Fassel, Rod Dowhower, and Ray Handley, who all became NFL head coaches.

“We’re very excited to have someone with Mitch Pleis’ athletic pedigree join our leadership team at William Jessup,” said Eric Hogue, William Jessup’s Vice President for Development. “He has been mentored by very special coaches like Bill Walsh and George Seifert, and comes from an amazing athletic family. Mitch is going to be a great resource for all our coaches and athletes. And his background as a highly successful businessman will aid William Jessup in our effort to build a top-notch athletic program.”

After playing two seasons at Stanford, Pleis was reunited with his college coach in the spring of 1979 as a free agent in Walsh’s first year as San Francisco 49ers head coach. But Pleis suffered a career-ending knee injury before summer training camp. Walsh went on to win three Super Bowls with the 49ers and was a Hall of Fame coach.

Unable to play in 1979, Pleis joined the Stanford coaching staff where one of the players he helped coach was freshman quarterback John Elway. Pleis’ coaching resume also includes one season as an assistant football coach at Granite Bay High School and eight years as a Eureka Youth Soccer Club coach. Pleis’ four children were all soccer standouts; two of them played soccer at the collegiate level.

“What I learned from Bill Walsh and George Seifert was their strong belief in hiring the best assistant coaches available. Friendship took a back seat to hiring the most capable person for the job,” Pleis said. “I’ve taken that same approach in my business career – hire the best people available I’ll be driving the hiring process at William Jessup with that line of thinking as part of my philosophy.”

Utilizing his Stanford undergraduate degree, where he specialized in Urban Development and Planning, Pleis enjoyed a successful business career that spanned 33 years in real estate investment management. The scope of his experience is very broad, including real estate development, finance, asset and portfolio management for multiple property types and locations all across the United States.

Pleis was the Director of Real Estate for the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) for nine years. He was responsible for redesigning the real estate investment program and changing the implementation strategies for investment managers.

He also founded Pleis and Company, which provided consulting services to real estate operators.

“My business career includes directing organizations at the management committee level and managing property and portfolio budgets. I will draw on that experience as athletic director at William Jessup,” Pleis said. “I’m looking forward to meeting the Jessup coaching staff, interacting with its wonderful student-athletes, and returning to an academic and athletic environment. The athletic program has so much potential for growth. This is an exciting time to be joining the William Jessup team.”

Pleis is an Eagle Scout and enjoys spending time with his wife Carole, who is an adjunct professor at William Jessup, daughter Jessica, and his three sons, Zachary, Jacob and Joshua. He has been teaching men’s Bible studies for many years since moving to the Granite Bayarea.

Tuesday 4 June 2013

SOUTH PLACER ROTARY HOSTS FIFTH ANNUAL ‘BREWFEST’ ON JUNE 8 ROCKLIN

One of South Placer’s leading events is coming Saturday to Rocklin – with more craft breweries taking part this year.

A total of 35 craft breweries will be pouring at the South Placer Rotary Club’s 5^th annual Brewfest.

“Brewfest is our biggest annual fundraiser and helps us raise the money to fund grants to local non-profit organizations and scholarships for graduating high school seniors,” said Doug Schumacher, president of the South Placer Rotary and owner of Minuteman Press. “This event has grown over the years and we are looking forward to an even better event this year.”

Tickets for the event, which runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Johnson-Springview Park on 5^th Street in Rocklin, are $25 per person for advanced purchase, $30 at the gate, and $5 for designated drivers.

Bob Burris

Drexel University Sacramento announced today that Robert Burris has been elected Chairman of its Board of Advisors.

Burris, a Senior Vice President of the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization, will lead the 24-member board, which advises Drexel on its programs and plans for the future. He was elected as chairman by his peers on the Board of Advisors.

“Bob Burris is a tremendous ambassador for the Sacramento region and we are thrilled to have him take on this leadership role as Board chairman,” said Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Drexel University Sacramento. “We appreciate Bob and the entire Advisory Board’s commitment to ensure that the education we provide here is not just top-ranked in the country, but closely calibrated to the practical business needs of this region.”

“I’m honored that Drexel has given me the opportunity to serve as Chairman of its Board of Advisors and to continue working closely with an excellent group of leaders from the greater Sacramento region,” Burris said. “I share in Drexel’s passion for creating an environment of civic engagement for its students and the university as a whole.”