Camarillo, Calif., March 25, 2015 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) will recognize three outstanding business, technology and community leaders and award five student scholarships at its 11th Annual Business & Technology Partnership (B&TP) Leadership Dinner. The event will be held Thursday, April 16, at 6 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach.
The annual event serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships. It honors the contributions of three local leaders whose work helps advance business, technology, educational collaboration and the local economy, as well as several CI students who are pursuing degrees in business, science and technology.
CI is pleased to announce the following 2015 B&TP Leadership Award honorees:
Business and Community Leader of the Year: Christopher Meissner, CEO, Meissner Filtration Products, Inc.
Chris Meissner is founder and President of Meissner Filtration Products, Inc., a company that he has developed as the leader in microfiltration providing high performance products and technical support services for critical application. Established in 1989 and located in Camarillo, Meissner Filtration Products, Inc., develops, manufactures, supplies and services advanced microfiltration and single-use systems worldwide. Meissner dedicates his time to his local community by serving on these Boards: Economic Development Collaborative/Ventura County, St. John’s Seminary, and the CSU Channel Islands Foundation.
Technologist of the Year: Lynda Weinman, Executive Chair of the Board and Co-Founder of Lynda.com
Lynda Weinman is a self-taught computer expert, author, educator, and entrepreneur. In 1995 she wrote the first industry book on web design and web graphics. Lynda.com is one of the most successful companies in online education that teaches technology, design and business skills. Weinman and her husband and co-founder, Bruce Heavin, have helped Lynda.com to evolve from its original concept as a free web resource for her students, to an award-winning online learning company.
Faculty Leader of the Year: Priscilla Liang, CI Associate Professor of Finance, MVS School of Business & Economics
Priscilla Liang received her bachelor’s degree in China and her MBA and Ph.D. in Financial Economics in the United States. Before pursuing her academic career, she worked extensively in real estate development, emerging markets investments, and international business management in both countries. She teaches a variety of classes at CI (since 2006) which includes Business Finance, Behavioral Finance and Business in China.
CI will also award five scholarships worth $6,000 each to students: Vivianna Day ’16 Chemistry, Nicholas Montgomery, ’16 Mathematics, Oanh Tran, ’17 Biology, Peter Van Zyl, ’16 Nursing, and Leonard Vigeant ’18 Nursing.
Tickets are $150 and may be reserved online before April 9.
The event begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and award presentations at 8 p.m.
A part of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, the B&TP is a collaborative effort between CI and community leaders, business and technology executives and professionals. The Partnership works to foster the collaboration of technology and related service-based companies with CI and promote technological excellence among CI students, faculty and staff for the benefit of the region’s economy.
Sponsors for this year’s event include Title Sponsor: Union Bank; Banquet Sponsor: Joan & Dennis Gaiser; Networking Sponsors: Anderson Construction, Inc., Square One Architecture, O’Connor Electric, Inc., and Climate Control Company; Invitation Sponsor: Aera; Wine Sponsor: Airborne Technologies; Innovation Sponsor: Montecito Bank & Trust; Video Sponsor: Pacific Western Bank; Program Sponsor: Ventura County Credit Union; Supporting Sponsor: Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics; Technology Sponsor: Rabobank; Award Sponsors: Barbara & Wayne Davey, Elise & Bill Kearney, and Nancy & Carl Wesely; Media Sponsors: Pacific Coast Business Times and Ventura County Star; and In-Kind Sponsors: Malisse Restaurant, Luners Production Services, The Tower Club, and Trufflehound’s Fine Chocolates.
For additional information or available sponsorships, contact Alissa Larreta, Assistant Director of Advancement Events at 805-437-8916 or alissa.larreta@csuci.edu.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.