Mark Romero - Founder & CEO
Personal and Professional Development Leader
Mark Romero is recognized as a global leader in both personal and professional development for individuals and organizations through his proprietary sound therapy technology.

As both business professional and creator, he developed a unique process that is revolutionizing how individuals create higher levels of success, improve their health and enhance their productivity. His scientific breakthrough is expressed through his unique musical notes and tones. This tool is a proprietary blend of specific sound frequencies that successfully assists individuals to reduce stress, supercharge performance, and heighten creativity.

Mark has successfully lead high impact solutions for thousands of individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations in an easy to use format that accommodates most lifestyles.

Recognized as an expert in sound therapy, he has been featured at some of the most prestigious personal and professional development conferences and seminars with other globally recognized leaders, as well as successfully hosting his own teleconference series with participants from around the world.

As the founder and CEO of Mark Romero Music Inc., Mark offers a wide range of services that build on clients existing efforts, including his critically acclaimed sound therapy CDs, Musical Prescriptions CD series, teleconference series, keynote speaking engagements, private and group coaching sessions, and advisory services.

Prior to forming Mark Romero Music Inc., Mark founded and developed a technology company which he successfully grew to a multimillion dollar company. Other prior positions and awards include national sales management positions as well as top sales awards.

Mark derives much of his inspiration from his family and lives in Laguna Niguel with his wife Dr. Lara and his two young daughters Olivia and Isabella.

"What will Laguna do when the oil runs out?" - Chris Prelitz

Chris Prelitz, green building designer/ builder, sustainability consultant, author, and 25 year Laguna Beach resident, will be giving a presentation on 'Peak Oil' and its impact to Laguna Beach. Numerous US cities, the US military, and even entire nations are preparing for the inevitability of the end of cheap, easy to get oil. Chris has been on the bleeding edge of the sustainability movement for over 20 years, having built the fist solar powered home in Laguna Beach, co-founded Transition Laguna, chairs the City's Environmental Committee, is president of the newly formed OC Green Chamber, and was showcased on the Discovery Channel's Greenovate Show for his first net-zero remodel in Laguna Woods.

LBBC Honors College-Bound Entrepreneurs

In an effort to encourage entrepreneurship in a changing business climate, LBBC offered Entrepreneurial Scholarships to Laguna Beach High School students for the first time this year. Three outstanding seniors from the class of 2010 who demonstrated creativity, compassion and, of course, an entrepreneurial spirit, were each awarded a scholarship for $650. The recipients were Hannah Nixon (Indiana University), Dillon Ronson (UC Riverside) and Alex Gromet (Purdue University). We wish them much success in their future endeavors.

(PICTURED : LBBC member Diane Christopherson-Reed and LBBC President Rick Cirelli presented scholarship awards to students Dillon Ronson, Hannah Nixon, and Alex Gromet.)

The guest speaker will be Laguna Beach Mayor Elizabeth Pearson. Elizabeth Pearson has served the last 8 years as a Laguna Beach Councilmember -- with 3 terms as Mayor.

Raised as an Army “brat”; Elizabeth was born at Ft. Benning, Georgia – and spent a tour in Japan and two tours in Germany with her family when she was growing up.  While her Father completed his career, she also lived on Army bases in the South and in and around Washington, D.C.  

Elizabeth began her career marketing apartment complexes and other release estate properties owned by Sam Zell on the East Coast -- and landed in Cleveland, Ohio (where her company had transferred her) -- where her first political experience was helping to elect George Voinovich as Mayor of Cleveland.  She was “donated” by her company as a “loaned executive” to the City of Cleveland (just following the city’s bankruptcy) to help with the national marketing of the City and to support economic development activities.

She graduated in 1983 from Baldwin Wallace College (in Cleveland) with a Major in Marketing and a Minor in British Literature.

Elizabeth moved to Laguna Beach in 1983 and, within two years, became involved in the North Laguna Community Association, where she served on the Board of Directors for 10 years – including three years as the organization’s President.  She has also been an active member of the Laguna Beach Taxpayer’s Association for over 20 years.  She was appointed in the early 90’s to the Laguna Beach Planning Commission, where she served for 6 ½ years.  

She is best known on the City Council for championing, for 12 years, a new Community-Senior Center that opened last year -- and for working with staff and many Laguna non-profit organizations to manage the recovery of the Bluebird Canyon landslide.   When FEMA turned down aid to Laguna Beach after the landslide, she wouldn’t take “no” for an answer and the result was an approval for aid by FEMA that resulted in over $30 million for the city.  Her focus today draws on her economic development background to help the City and our local businesses remain fiscally viable during these difficult times.

A lover of the arts, Elizabeth has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Plein Air Painter’s Association and Laguna Live!

During her years on Planning Commission, Elizabeth worked for Coldwell Banker/Corporate as a National Marketing Manager; as the V.P. of Marketing for Shearson Lehman Mortgage and as a V.P. / Business Manager for a start-up of Bank of America.

Today, she manages her own business, ADworx, after having worked as the Executive Director of the South Coast Medical Center Foundation and the Marketing Director of the hospital, before it was sold.  Her expertise is in working with financial services companies, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.

The LBBC meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30AM at the Hotel Laguna. The cost is $25 including a buffet breakfast. We strive to have dynamic guest speakers and the public is welcome to attend. For Reservations to attend our meetings, please send an email to:info@lagunabeachbusinessclub.com or contact Rick Cirelli at (949) 494-4701 or rick@rtcmortgage.com.

Rochelle Burgess :
"Managing Your Energy Instead of Your Time"

Guest Speaker Rochelle Burgess will present “Managing Your Energy Instead of Your Time”. The talk is geared toward the small business owner and employee. The key points are:

· How we can find the energy to finish the projects that matter first
· How we can overcome procrastination
· How we can overcome the time robbers that drain our energy
· How we can replenish our energy

Rochelle Burgess is the founder and principal of Innovative Partners in HR & Leadership, supporting small to mid-size businesses in all HR activities including their hiring process, government compliance issues, and employee motivation. She also develops Leadership training programs for stand-alone divisions of larger companies. She has over 30 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies, specializing in employee selection and retention, as well as team building, employee relations & morale, performance management, and leadership development.

Rochelle is a faculty member at Chapman University, in the Business Leadership degree program for adults returning to school. She is also pursuing a doctorate degree, with a dissertation on the Mix of the Four Generations in the Workplace, specifically communication and feedback between Gen-X managers and Gen-Y employees.

She is a popular facilitator and speaker, and she has conducted training and keynote presentations for a wide variety of industry, business and professional organizations. She recently contributed to a book aimed at people who want to -- or are forced to -- transition in mid-career. The book is titled, “ADAPT! How to Survive and Thrive in the Changing World of Work.”

Founded in 1996, The LBBC is a vibrant group of successful local men and women from a broad spectrum of businesses. They are known for being of high integrity and long-term good standing within our community. Please see our website at: www.lagunabeachbusinessclub.com for more information.

The LBBC meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30AM at the Hotel Laguna. The cost is $25 including a buffet breakfast. We strive to have dynamic guest speakers and the public is welcome to attend. For Reservations to attend our meetings, please send an email to: info@lagunabeachbusinessclub.com or contact Rick Cirelli at (949) 494-4701 or rick@rtcmortgage.com.

Chris Keller and Chris Lange are the guest speakers this month's meeting of the Laguna Beach Business Club. Mr. Keller’s presentation will provide an update on the Laguna Beach Task Force, a joint effort between the City of Laguna Beach and the Chamber of Commerce created to address commercial real estate issues in town. Chris Lange will speak about commercial real estate occupancy and rental rates.

Chris Keller is the current President of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. He is also the owner of the popular La Casa del Camino Hotel and Rooftop, Ky’a and House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer restaurants in Laguna Beach.

Chris Lange is Vice President of Citizens Business Bank, a Board Member of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and is a Member of the Laguna Beach Business Club.

Founded in 1996, The LBBC is a vibrant group of successful local men and women from a broad spectrum of businesses. They are known for being of high integrity and long-term good standing within our community. Please see our website at: www.lagunabeachbusinessclub.comfor more information.

The LBBC meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30AM at the Hotel Laguna. The cost is $25 including a buffet breakfast. We strive to have dynamic guest speakers and the public is welcome to attend. For Reservations to attend our meetings, please send an email to: info@lagunabeachbusinessclub.com or contact Rick Cirelli at (949) 494-4701 or rick@rtcmortgage.com.

Hotel Laguna at 7:30am.

LBBC May meeting will be "just members" with an open discussion of the our task force ideas to promote business between our members. 7:30 AM, Hotel Laguna.

Steve Dicterow to speak to Laguna Beach Business Club.

Steve Dicterow, former Mayor, Board member of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce (LBCC), and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee (GAC), will speak to the Laguna Beach Business Club (LBBC) on Thursday, April 15th.

Mr. Dicterow will provide a brief overview of the activities of the GAC, in particular a summary of what the City can do to attract new businesses and be more business friendly. 

The purpose of the GAC is to provide comprehensive information to protect a favorable climate for conducting business and living in the community of Laguna Beach.  The GAC brings together various sectors of the community to create a voice and to handle issues that affect doing business, so business owners can concentrate on running their business.

Mr. Dicterow has been an attorney for more than 30 years. From 1994 - 2006 he served on the Laguna Beach City Council, three terms as Mayor. For the last 10 years he has been the owner of International Racers, Inc., a company that manages professional motorcycle racers.  

The presentation begins at 7:30 a.m. at Hotel Laguna, Catalina Room. The public is invited to attend. Admission is $25 and includes buffet breakfast.

Please RSVP to Rick Cirelli at 949-494-4701 or email to: rick@RTCmortgage.com

For more information, visit www. lagunabeachbusinessclub.com.

"Laguna Open to Business"
with Business Assistance Task Force Member Dennis Myers

Dennis Myers, one of the Laguna Beach Business Assistance Task Force members, will present results of the 2009 Laguna Beach resident survey, to learn their purchasing practices, best and worst shopping experiences, and suggestions for new businesses.

The Task Force is wrapping up their one-year effort to uncover ways that merchants and businesses can be supported during these tough times and also grow the City’s economic base in the future. The

Dennis will discuss the significance of the surveys data and answer questions during an open discussion. The information should help Laguna Beach businesses perform at a higher level.

Dennis is a local writer and business consultant. He can be reached at
laguna@cox.net • 949-497-4531