(July 29, 2011) Luminex Software, Inc. is situated in Riverside, a city not typically known for its technology sector. Luminex Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Brian Hawley, however, sees prime advantages to Riverside’s location.
“[Riverside] has four institutions of higher learning, which provides us with an educated applicant pool for entry-level talent,” Hawley said.
Riverside also happens to be conveniently close to the Pacific Coast and two national forests, Hawley added, which “appeals to individual interests.”
Brian Hawley comments on the importance of being a voice for business. |
A long-time Riverside resident, Hawley began his extensive advocacy efforts with the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce when a friend from the University of California at Riverside invited him to the chamber.
As a person who “loves challenges,” Hawley said he joined the organization as a civic service.
He began on the division board and then proceeded to positions of leadership. Hawley serves on a number of boards, including the executive committee and the political action committee. For 2010–2011, Hawley was named chair of the Governmental Affairs Council for the Greater Riverside Chambers.
Advocacy Trail
For the last six years, Hawley has engaged in numerous advocacy campaigns. This year, he was named a recipient of the California Chamber of Commerce 2011 Small Business Advocate of the Year Award.
“Anything that adds more burden that’s unnecessary decreases the ability of the company to prosper and therefore hire employees that will then produce revenue to the state. It’s all connected.”
“Mr. Hawley exemplifies the true meaning of an effective chamber member,” Cindy Roth, president and CEO of the Greater Riverside Chambers, said in nominating Hawley for the award.
In 2010, Hawley testified before local Assembly members at a Legislative Summit on Jobs, urging legislators to consider policies to allow businesses greater opportunities to create new jobs and attract new business to come to California.
At the summit, Hawley advocated for the simplification of rest and meal periods, and a flexible workweek program. He also stressed the need for regulatory reform, adding that incentives and financing need to be formed to create jobs, putting more people to work.
Small Business Advocate of the Year Award recipient Brian Hawley and CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg at the June 1 Business Summit. “Anything that adds more burden that’s unnecessary decreases the ability of the company to prosper and therefore hire employees that will then produce revenue to the state,” Hawley said. “It’s all connected.”
Hawley also discussed the implementation of AB 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act, and its impact on business.
“No matter how noble the cause may be, bills such as AB 32 are hurtful to small businesses, particularly in this economy,” Hawley told legislators. “People can talk about how many green jobs [this bill] creates, but I have to ask myself, how many jobs have to be sacrificed for every green job that might be created?”
Hawley was also a member of a delegation that testified to help secure $10 million in funding from the state to establish the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine in 2010. Due to budget cuts, the opening of the school has been delayed a year.
The new school is expected to create jobs and stimulate new business to meet the workforce needs for nurses, pharmacy technicians, physician assistants and laboratory technicians. Greater Riverside Business, the newletter of the chamber, estimated the school will generate construction worth more than $500 million.
Getting Heard
“It’s the story of the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” Hawley said.
Hawley said advocacy is important because legislators “rely on us to tell them what we think about legislation that is in process and needs to be implemented. It’s too much to ask legislators to come to each of us individually and ask us.”
Moreover, legislation that has a negative impact on business does get passed.
Some legislators “don’t understand the impact of some of the stuff they’re doing or they don’t understand some of the unintended consequences of some of the stuff they’re doing,” Hawley said.
Therefore, the only way to get heard is to talk to legislators and spread the word, he said.
“Talk to other people in your community about why these things are important and how it’s all interconnected and how you have to say something—you have to stand up and make a difference,” he said. “It’s not going to happen by itself. If you don’t get involved, nothing’s going to happen.”
Hawley urged those wanting to get involved with advocacy to begin at their local chamber meetings and get involved with what they’re passionate about, whether it’s economic development, education or government affairs.
“If you get involved, you will find ways of bringing that voice out and turning your thoughts into action and into reality,” he said.
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