About us
The SCCGP Team
SCCGP’s executive management team consists of individuals with diverse professional backgrounds who understand the business community’s ever-changing dynamics.
Mission
The mission of SCCGP is to support and strengthen the growth and global competitiveness of small businesses through education and counseling to assist with access to capital and contracts, and to promote trade, creation of business enterprises and retention of jobs.
Vision
The vision of SCCGP is to create hope and empowerment for small businesses by helping them make necessary changes for future prosperity and sustainability.
Who do we serve?
SCCGP serves small businesses in our region. Many of our clients are minority-owned business enterprises or come from underserved communities.
Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board
Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Executive Director
Chairman of the Board
David Honda is the President of DS Honda Construction and DH Partners, and a Governor Appointee of the 51st District Agricultural Association. David has volunteered in the community for over 40 years. He was acknowledged by numerous organizations for his work in business and volunteering, including the Small Businessperson of the Year Award, presented by California Assemblyman Richard Katz, the Mendenhall Memorial Leadership Award by the Van Nuys Chamber, the 2008 CK Tseng Leadership Award presented by the Northridge Chamber, and the 2009 Fernando Awards, among other awards.
Vice Chair
Karla Gonzalez is a Business Consultant for the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (IESBDC). She provides counseling and training services to businesses throughout the Inland Empire. Karla worked for more than five years with the Inland Empire Minority Business Enterprise, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce where she counseled business owners on the managerial and technical aspects of expanding their businesses, as well as the importance of sound financial management. She has a successful track record in government procurement and job creation.
Secretary
Sim Tang-Paradis is vice president and branch manager of Westlake Village Office of City National Bank. She volunteers her time with several non-profit and community organizations. She has been acknowledged by numerous organizations for her work in business and volunteering, and won awards including the Small Businessperson of the Year Award.
Treasurer
Alan Darby is a successful executive with almost 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, private investment groups, and numerous non-profit organizations. He currently serves as a Chief Financial Officer for a non-profit funded organization that supports over 30,000 individuals with special needs. Alan is a former Federal District Court Law Clerk Federal Law Clerk for the Honorable Cormac J. Carney, assigned to SEC calendar and other complex corporate litigation disputes. Throughout his career, Alan has learned from the ground up the importance of collaboration and the power of community support.
Executive Director
John Gutierrez is the Executive Director for SCCGP, with over 16 years of experience in economic development in roles at SCCGP, the Pasadena MBDA Business Center, and the MBDA Business Center in Los Angeles operated by the University of Southern California. Additionally, Mr. Gutierrez has over 25 years of managerial and professional experience with national residential/commercial leading companies and international real estate development. John has been a consultant to small business owners who empowers them through education, technical, and implementation techniques. He is driven by passion and a sincere desire to provide measurable economic impact to small business communities, enhancing their technical and management skills to effectively compete for procurement and export opportunities
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Reverend Jackson Jr. serves as the Community Initiatives Fellow at the University of Southern California, Center for Religion and Civic Culture/Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement. He is also the Chairman and CEO of Village Solutions Foundation in Irvine, CA. Reverend Jackson Jr. is an ordained minister and a former Ministry Director at COR North on the California State University, Fullerton campus, a ministry of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church of Irvine. Reverend Jackson Jr. serves on the ministerial staff, and as community initiatives advisor to the Council of Presidents at New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Inglewood, California, where he has served for over 25 years.
Board Member
Nicholas Brown worked for 29 years at the Los Angeles Department City of Planning, 16 years of which were as a zoning administrator. As such, he conducted public hearings and handled the process for conditional use permits, zoning variances, and other land-use applications from builders and those wanting to improve their land. In 2017, Nicholas started Seat at the Table to assist developers in obtaining land use entitlements and building permits from the city. His education (i.e., undergraduate degree in Urban Economics, year of law school at U.C. Davis, and Master’s in Architecture and Urban Planning) and thirty-three years as a land use planner in the public sector and four years in the private sector provide him with strong analytical knowledge and an extensive practical experience.
Board Member
Ming Yang Yeh, founder of Ming Yang Yeh and Associates, Inc., has been involved in the fields of civil and structural engineering for more than thirty years in Southern California. He has participated actively in the structural design of commercial, municipal, residential and industrial projects of different types, and has directed the firm’s work for over a thousand projects.
Team
Executive Director
Administrator
Senior Business Consultant
Business Consultant
Senior Business Consultant
Executive Director
John Gutierrez is the Executive Director for SCCGP, with over 16 years of experience in economic development in roles at SCCGP, the Pasadena MBDA Business Center, and the MBDA Business Center in Los Angeles operated by the University of Southern California. Additionally, Mr. Gutierrez has over 25 years of managerial and professional experience with national residential/commercial leading companies and international real estate development. John has been a consultant to small business owners who empowers them through education, technical, and implementation techniques. He is driven by passion and a sincere desire to provide measurable economic impact to small business communities, enhancing their technical and management skills to effectively compete for procurement and export opportunities
Administrator
Tana Thammagno has over fifteen years of experience in performing administrative duties. She has coordinated with various management teams and staff for operational support activities and has served as a liaison between management team and non-profit board members in the resolution of day-to-day administrative and operational issues. She has a history of providing effective and efficient administrative and secretarial support for various team members, and resolving a range of administrative issues and inquiries. She is efficient in managing daily operations of the organization and its programs with vast policy and administrative knowledge.
Senior Business Consultant
Mr. Baiseri is currently serves as a Senior Business Consultant at SCCGP assisting clients requiring disadvantaged business certifications, financial assessment, exposure analysis, regulatory compliance review, business development and access to capital. In 2021, he completed 5 years contract with Pasadena MBDA Business Center as a Business Consultant and was the Program Coordinator of the “Bridges to Business Success Program” an educational business course offered at the University of Southern California for disadvantaged small business enterprises. Jim has specialized in providing risk management services for over 50 years. He was the Founder and President of several California risk management firms; TRAC (The Risk Advisory Council), Benefit Management Systems and Creative Benefits Insurance Services.
Business Consultant
A hands-on leader with demonstrated experience for Fortune 500 Industry leaders including New York Life Insurance Co., Nestle Waters North America, and Pepsi Cola Company. Forward thinking, bilingual, Sales and Business Development Executive in the field of sales and operations, and adept at solving internal challenges with clearly defined strategies to drive revenue growth. Carlos is an expert at creating positive relationships with clients to build loyalty, brand awareness, and repeat business. He strategically created and executed successful strategies to turn new markets into record-breaking territories. Strong track-record of exceeding business objectives through coaching and developing staff, while building retention rates.
Senior Business Consultant
Dr. Paul Amaya has over 20 years of managerial and consulting experience in a wide range of industries/sectors including technology, biotechnology, K-12/higher education, small businesses, and nonprofits. Dr. Amaya currently serves as a Senior Business Consultant at So Cal Corporate Growth Partners (SCCGP). His role at SCCGP includes project implementation, market research, product planning, organizational restructuring, among other services aimed at identifying and executing short and long-term growth opportunities for small-to-midsize businesses and those in underserved communities. Dr. Amaya received his Ph.D. in Education, Higher Education Administration and Policy from the University of California, Riverside. He lectures in the Education Doctorate and Educational Administration Masters programs at California State University, San Bernardino.
Our experience
2022
MBDA Business Centers
In 2011, SCCGP received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Development Agency (MBDA) to operate the Riverside Business Center. The organization was the operator of the Riverside MBDA Business Center from 2011 to 2016.
MBDA Business Center
In 2016, SCCGP received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Development Agency (MBDA) to operate the Pasadena Business Center. The organization was the operator of the Pasadena MBDA Business Center from 2016 to 2021.
Technical Assistant Expansion Program (TAEP)
In 2018, SCCGP received State funding from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Small Business (Go-Biz). The program was to expand the capacity of federal small business technical assistance programs in California.
Technical Assistant Program (TAP)
In 2018, SCCGP received State funding from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Small Business (Go-Biz) providing consulting services to small businesses.
Technical Assistant Expansion Program (TAEP)
CARES Act Program: In 2020, SCCGP was funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to operate the MBDA Business Center CARES Act Program
2022
CARES Act Program
In 2020, SCCGP was funded by U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), to operate the MBDA Business Center CARES Act Program.
Coronavirus Response and Relief Program In 2021, SCCGP was funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), to operate the Coronavirus Response and Relief Program.
Strategic Partners
The executive management team of SoCal Corporate Growth Partners and its board of directors understand and recognize that every segment of the community has a role to play and assets to contribute; they all share risk, resources, rewards, vision and value. Effective alliances and partnerships are a powerful means of enriching the solutions and value we provide our clients. We have increased our knowledge, capabilities and our organization as a result of key relationships. Accordingly, we have extensive experience working with financial institutions, domestic and foreign leaders/governments, educational institutions, civic organizations, trade associations, businesses, and individuals.
