Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, in collaboration with Council President Miguel Arias and Councilmembers Luis Chavez and Michael Karbassi, today 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.”
The Mayor’s Fresno Recovery Committee will meet using Zoom technology to follow social distancing protocols. The advisory committee 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.
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
The Mayor added, “I have assembled a very bright group of people with proven track records as problem solvers to help shape our efforts going forward. This is a marathon, so we need to think long-term and create a dynamic plan for recovery for the next 12 months and beyond. I would like to also stress that ‘when’ we can start getting people back to work will depend on meeting specific health criteria that we will monitor and communicate to give businesses plenty of time to prepare.”