Small Businesses Driving Innovation and Economic Growth Networking Mixer

Strengthen connections, spark collaborations, and create lasting business relationships that drive growth, resilience, and success in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Agenda:

4:00 pm Welcome

Tacos and Business Network

Exhibitors

Port of Long Beach

SKANSKA

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Community Connection, LLC

4:30 pm 30 seconds Business Pitch

5:00 pm Energy Conversation

Moderated by Yeri Flor , Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Speakers

Adrian Hightowe, PhD, PE, ENV-SP

Sustainability, Resilience & Innovation Manager

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Eric Bayani

Principal Owner

Embedded LLC

Q & A

Vendors

StarLight Media Works

Luis Edgar

The Marriott Hotel

Event Give Aways..

Katiana Luttell

Blanca Sandoval

Aaron Ganz Media

Thank You!

Adrian Hightowe, PhD, PE, ENV-SP

Sustainability, Resilience & Innovation Manager

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Dr. Adrian Hightower is an experienced sustainability professional with depth of knowledge in organizational change management as well as technical expertise in renewable energy and sustainable water treatment.

Dr. Hightower has consulted as a licensed engineer and certified sustainability professional with innovative teams in the energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, microgrid, and power utility industries.

Dr. Hightower currently serves as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Sustainability, Resilience, and Innovation Manager leading the organization's development of Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) reporting, Water Affordability/Environmental Justice Policy and Climate Vulnerability Risk Assessments.

He holds several patents and has published numerous papers in these fields materials science and engineering. Dr Hightower received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. is from the California Institute of Technology.

Eric Bayani

Principal Owner

Embedded LLC

Eric brings 25+ year of experience in supply chain and logistics with 19+ years at a marine terminal operation in Long Beach where he managed Port commercial contracts and air/water compliance. Eric’s experience includes a wide variety of hands-on emission reduction, water quality projects and construction.

He’s currently working on nearly half a billion dollars of EPA Clean Port Program grants at six (6) locations in two California ports. He’s been awarded over $14M in environmental grants/vouchers/rebates and nearly $2M in carbon credits. Projects range from shorepower, electric yard tractor demonstration, replacing and upgrading diesel fleets (CA and WA), adopting renewable diesel, installation of diesel particulate filters (CA and WA), and repowering diesel engines to alt fuel.

Additionally, Eric’s been awarded Security grants of nearly $2M for various physical and cybersecurity projects. Due to his years of experience and extensive emission reduction work, Eric has established a network of Port contacts, Zero Emission technology companies, OEMs and cybersecurity vendors and suppliers. Eric participates in larger Port projects as the Port and Terminal subject matter expert or industry specialist.