2010 Emerging Issues Conference

Regulations being considered in California have an impact on every manufacturer and consumer in the United States. Water, waste, air, packaging, ingredients, recycling, new technology, whatever the issue, the discussions often begin in this state. The Council will host an annual Emerging Issues Conference focusing on the many challenges we see on the horizon for our industry.

Schedule

Topics include:
• Specific proposals and trends on federal and state level legislation targeting personal care product companies
• Pending political changes and how it will affect your business  

Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004 to represent the 47th Assembly District. She will give a special address at this year's conference. 

Alonza E. Cruse, Director, FDA’s Los Angeles District Office, will discuss cosmetic regulatory programs at the federal and state level. Cruse's responsibilities includes providing executive leadership to one of the largest District Offices within FDA’s-Office of Regulatory Affairs.

Amy C. Dempster, Senior Manager of Government Affairs and Environmental Policy for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), will discuss consumer products under fire and how to navigate through this challenging environment. In her role with CEA she advocates for the high tech industry on behalf of more than 2,100 members on a range of policy issues including product stewardship and electronic waste, energy efficiency as well as transportation infrastructure.

Dr. Michael DiBartolomeis, Chief for California Safe Cosmetics and Lead Poisoning Prevention, will provide insight on the implementation of the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005 and answer questions.

Andy Hackman, Senior Director, State Government Affairs, Toy Industry Association (TIA). He will give insight to the process of navigating through difficult issues. He joined TIA in August 2009 assisting in managing TIA’s legislative and regulatory outreach in states around the country and assisting  to coordinate grassroots and coalition activities at the state level.

Harlan Loui is the Acting Section Chief for the Drug and Consumer Product Safety Section and the Medical Device and Youth Tobacco Enforcement Section for the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch. His duties with the department include overseeing field and administrative operations of the sections, including drug and medical device manufacturer facility licensing and inspections, home medical device retailer licensing and inspection, youth tobacco access enforcement, and cosmeceutical and cosmetic manufacturers. Loui earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of California, Davis in Biological Sciences and worked for a number of years in the environmental testing industry after graduation. Loui started his career with the Food and Drug Branch as an investigator, and has had the opportunity to work in the food, drug and medical device programs as he promoted up through the organization.

Luncheon Speaker Greg Lucas has been a California political writer and satirist for more than 20 years. He's leveled his bipartisan wit and humor at both Republicans and Democrats ­ and, not infrequently, himself. Now a freelance writer, he still covers state government shenanigans at California's Capitol, an often funny (usually intentionally) and occasionally insightful blog on California politics. Lucas has spoken to educators, business leaders and numerous trade associations about the good, bad and ugly of California politics. He has also counseled companies on improving their writing and communications. During 19 years covering the state Capitol for the San Francisco Chronicle, Lucas wrote nearly 3,000 articles on everything from presidential politics to the introduction of prune burgers in school cafeterias. He has written about gambling, transportation, health care, growth, education and nearly every DBI (Dull But Important) issue that has confronted public policy makers over the past two decades. 

Maziar Movassaghi from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control will speak at this year's conference. He was appointed as Acting Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on March 16, 2009. Prior to this position, Movassaghi was the Deputy Director of the Brownfields and Environmental Restoration Program for DTSC.

As Executive Director of Environment Now, Terry O'Day is responsible for the strategic direction, development, and day-to-day operations of the foundation. He works with each of the programs and is the primary contact with the Board of Directors and President. O'Day is past president of EV Rental Cars, a company he co-founded in 1998. It is the only rental company in the United States that offers only environmental vehicles, such as hybrid, natural gas, and electric cars to the general public. The company has grown to fourteen airports and served over 200,000 customers, with over 700 cars, broadening access to clean fuel vehicles and developing markets for the technology. Prior to founding EV Rental Cars, he was responsible for business development and strategic planning for Edison Enterprises, a subsidiary of Edison International. His work with the company's four retail units led to multiple successful new lines of business.