U.S. Army Veteran & Winner of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” slated as the 2019 High Desert Opportunity Summit Keynote Speaker
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Catherine Abbott, 760-245-4271 ext 2523 [email protected]
U.S. Army Veteran & Winner of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” slated as the 2019 High Desert Opportunity Summit Keynote Speaker
VICTORVILLE, CA – Best-selling author, motivational speaker, advocate, and wounded U.S. Army Veteran, Jose Rene “J.R.” Martinez will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2019 High Desert Opportunity Summit event. J.R.’s career path has been incredible and perhaps a bit improbable. Now a highly sought after motivational speaker, Martinez shares his experience motivating and inspiring others to believe in themselves and to never quit!
Martinez enlisted in the army out of high school. In 2003, he survived smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body when the left front tire of his Humvee hit a roadside bomb in Karbala, Iraq. While visiting a burn patient during his recovery, J.R. realized he had a positive impact and decided to use his own experiences to help others. As a result, he continues to visit patients every day, sharing his story and listening to theirs. He learned that inspiration is often a two-way street. More of his incredible journey will be shared on October 24, 2019 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.
Now in its 38th year, the original High Desert Opportunity event has officially merged with the Victor Valley College Foundation’s High Desert Economic Summit. As one brand, committee members are capitalizing on the success of 2018 and bringing back more of the same programming as well as fresh new content. In addition to the keynote speaker and economic forecast, the Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce Expo will feature its traditional exhibitors building, offering municipalities, utilities and businesses the opportunity to display and interact with attendees.
“The event is a favorite in the High Desert and now that it is officially under the umbrella of the Victor Valley College Foundation, sponsors and guests will know their contributions to the event will increase access to higher education for students attending Victor Valley College” said Mike Nutter, Victor Valley College Foundation Board President.
Economic Summit Keynote Speaker Announced For 2019 High Desert Opportunity Summit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 18, 2019
Contact: Catherine Abbott, office (760) 245-4271 x 2523, email: [email protected]
ECONOMIC SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED
FOR 2019 HIGH DESERT OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT
VICTORVILLE, CA – This year’s economic forecast will feature Susan McHan, the President of Retail Mortgage for Flagstar Bank, a top 10 national mortgage lender (Inside Mortgage Finance, 2018), operating in some locations under its brand name Opes Advisors. Before merging with Flagstar Bank in 2017 to become its retail mortgage division, Opes Advisors, Inc. achieved recognition as a top 25 mortgage banking and investment management firm, with volume in excess of $3.2 billion in 2016.
Over the last three decades, McHan has operated as an influential leader in the financial services industry, specializing in retail mortgage. Her experience led her to co-found Elliot Ames, Inc., a high-end mortgage bank and investment services company that was successfully sold to First Horizon Bank Corporation. McHan remained as Regional President and Director of Wealth Management for the California Region of First Horizon until leaving to start Opes Advisors, Inc. in 2004.
At Opes Advisors, Inc., Mchan was instrumental in the invention and implementation of the industry’s first real estate decision technology, OpesAdvantage. This new technology empowered the company’s Mortgage Advisors to provide extraordinary value for clients and real estate agents, by crafting more effective mortgage solutions in the context of each client’s long-term financial concerns, delivered seamlessly through integrated technology. Since the company’s acquisition, McHan has led the development of a powerful “hybrid banking” business model that combines the flexibility of a correspondent lender with the advantages and specialty lending products of a top national bank lender.
McHan has repeatedly been recognized as one of the most respected mortgage executives in the country, named as one of Mortgage Executive Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Mortgage Executives and honored as a Northern California Real Estate Women of Influence.
It was recently announced that the High Desert Opportunity Summit, which partnered with the Victor Valley College’s High Desert Economic Summit in 2018, had been full transferred over to the control of the college.
The Victor Valley College Foundation is already well under way in planning the 2019 conference presented by Desert Valley Hospital/Desert Valley Medical Group and will be held October 24, 2019 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, California.
About the Victor Valley College Foundation. The Victor Valley College Foundation is a charitable organization that makes friends and raises funds to help Victor Valley College better serve its students and community. For over 40 years, the Foundation has served as the alumni relations, community outreach and resource development partner of VVC. Visit www.vvcfoundation.com or find us on Facebook to join the growing number of people and organizations who contribute to support our mission. For more information about Victor Valley College and the programs available, visit www.vvc.edu.
###
High Desert Opportunity Closes; Hands Reigns of Annual Conference to Victor Valley College Foundation
Press Release
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2019
Contact: Catherine Abbott, 760.245.4271 ext. 2523 or 760.792.2480 [email protected]
High Desert Opportunity Closes; Hands Reigns of Annual Conference to Victor Valley College Foundation
VICTORVILLE, CA – High Desert Opportunity, which for 37 years existed to annually put on the popular High Desert Opportunity Conference, voted last year to dissolve and hand over control of the annual conference to the Victor Valley College Foundation. In doing so, High Desert Opportunity also voted to invest over $100,000 towards an endowment that will start awarding five, $1,000 scholarships to deserving students in 2019.
“It is with great honor and ultimate respect for the years of service of thousands of volunteers, that we accept this responsibility to continue the tradition of not only putting on a great annual conference, but promoting the greatness of the High Desert far and wide,” said Mike Nutter, Victor Valley College Foundation Board President.
In 2018, after two years holding the conference in Rancho Cucamonga, the High Desert Opportunity Conference returned to the SBC Fair, this time merging the Victor Valley College Foundation’s annual High Desert Economic Summit into the event. The 2018 summit, featuring The Pursuit of HappYness author Chris Gardner and Wells Fargo economist Sarah House, was a hit with 600 attendees back in the High Desert to learn about and promote business and opportunity in the High Desert.
Throughout the 37 years, speakers ranged from politicians like former President Gerald Ford, to sports and entertainment moguls like former Laker Magic Johnson. The year which featured Magic Johnson was one of the most well attended, with over 1,200 guests.
“The partnership with the Victor Valley College Foundation was more successful than we could have imagined,” stated Cari Thomas, the 2017/2018 High Desert Opportunity President. “We are confident that the Foundation will continue to carry on the mission of High Desert Opportunity, which is to support economic growth by showcasing our amazing region.”
The Victor Valley College Foundation is already well under way in planning the 2019 conference presented by Desert Valley Hospital/Desert Valley Medical Group and will be held October 24, 2019 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, California.
About the Victor Valley College Foundation. The Victor Valley College Foundation is a charitable organization that makes friends and raises funds to help Victor Valley College better serve its students and community. For over 40 years, the Foundation has served as the alumni relations, community outreach and resource development partner of VVC. Visit www.vvcfoundation.com or find us on Facebook to join the growing number of people and organizations who contribute to support our mission. For more information about Victor Valley College and the programs available, visit www.vvc.edu.
