Capstone Conversation by Jared Asch

In this episode of Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Dan Muelrath from Diablo Water District, who also chairs the Contra Costa Special Districts Association. They delve into the role and significance of special districts in California, which provide essential services such as water, sanitation, and transportation. Dan shares his career journey in water management and explains the u...

In this episode of Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Congressman Mark DeSaulnier from Contra Costa County about his 30-plus years of community service and his political journey from a business owner to a senior member of Congress. DeSaulnier shares insights into his pivotal roles in local and state government, his switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party, and key legislat...

In this conversation hosted by Jared Asch, Bryan Bucklew from the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California discusses significant topics affecting healthcare in Northern California, including the Big Beautiful Bill, technological advancements like telehealth and AI, the impacts of COVID-19, and the implications of new federal legislation on local hospitals. Bucklew highlights the increas...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch discusses the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) with Matt Regan of the Bay Area Council. They delve into the origins and intent of CEQA, introduced in the 1970s to address environmental degradation, and its subsequent expansion and impact on both public and private projects. The conversation highlights the burgeoning need for...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch discusses the importance of downtowns in economic development and community identity. Guests Chloe Ship, Chair of the California Downtown Association, and Kathy Hemingway, Membership Chair of the Association and Executive Director of the Walnut Creek Downtown Association, share their backgrounds and delve into the functions of downtown...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation hosted by Jared Asch, retail broker John Sechser from TRI Commercial discusses strategies for attracting retail businesses to cities in the Greater East Bay. The conversation covers the impact of online shopping, trade tariffs, and COVID-19 on the retail market. Sechser emphasizes the importance of creating foot traffic through increased residential den...

In the 100th episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Fiona Ma, California’s State Treasurer. Fiona shares her background as the child of immigrant parents, her rise through politics, and her extensive work helping small businesses, especially during the pandemic. She details her career journey from local politics to serving as State Treasurer, her role with various financi...

Discover the inspiring wave of mental health initiatives transforming Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda Counties. This episode examines how innovative new programs are bridging critical gaps in mental health support and delivering comprehensive, accessible care to residents. We'll dive into the powerful collaboration between local organizations, health providers, and community members that&#39...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch speaks with Candace Anderson, the current chair of the Contra Costa County Supervisors for 2025. Anderson discusses her extensive career in local government, her legal background, and her personal life, including raising six children. They delve into various topics, such as the nique characteristics and needs of her district, which incl...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch speaks with Mayor Carlyn Obringer of Concord, California, the largest city in Contra Costa County by population. The discussion covers Mayor Obringer's tenure on the Concord City Council since 2016, the recent infrastructural improvements funded by local sales tax, and pressing issues such as vacant office spaces in the wake of remo...

In this episode of the Capstone conversation, host Jared Asch discusses Saint Mary's College of California's evolution, changes, and the increasing vibrancy at the reputation and contributions to the East Bay community. Thompson emphasizes the college's efforts to integrate AI into its curriculum better, enhance student experiences, and expand partnerships with local community colleges. He shares...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Fremont Council Member Yang Shao. The discussion highlights Fremont’s strategic approach to economic development, with a focus on attracting life sciences and medical technology businesses. Fremont has successfully created a supportive environment for businesses by streamlining processes and building a robust ecosystem for se...

Host Jared Asch from Capstone Government Affairs conducts a conversation centered on the current and future impact of artificial intelligence (AI) with Michelle Neats and Chris Brooks, experts from the University of San Francisco. Michelle discusses her work at the Center for Law, Tech, and Social Good, which examines the ethics and policy implications of decentralized technologies, including bloc...

In this episode of Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Chief Joe Testa of the Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department. They discuss various aspects of fire safety and prevention, particularly as the region approaches peak fire season. Chief Testa shares his career journey in the fire service, detailing the ranks he has ascended since beginning his career in 1994. The discussion addresse...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Jamie Knox, the Chief of Police from Walnut Creek, to discuss public safety and the evolution of policing over his 30-plus-year career. Chief Knox shares insights about his career progression from starting as a dispatcher to eventually becoming a Chief of Police. He elaborates on the changes in policing brought about by advan...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch discusses the challenges and opportunities for startups looking to partner with municipalities, particularly in the Greater East Bay. The conversation explores the risk aversion of government bodies, the importance of startups demonstrating their value through existing partnerships, and the crucial role of understanding and adapting to...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Rob Moore, the Vice Mayor of Los Gatos and one of the youngest political leaders in the Bay Area. They discuss Moore's background, his experience of running for office at a young age, and his perspectives on local governance. Moore shares insights on various initiatives, including social services, housing development, and...

In the latest episode of Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch discusses the ongoing mental health crisis with Dr. Karen Tribble, director of Alameda County Behavioral Health, and Jesse Tamplen, Vice President of Behavioral Health at John Muir. The conversation delves into the growing demands for mental health services following the COVID-19 pandemic, the stigma associated with mental health diag...

In this episode of Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews Lynn Mackey, the Superintendent of Schools for Contra Costa County. They discuss the role and responsibilities of the county superintendent, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, fiscal management of school districts, teacher shortages, and the integration of technology in K-12 education. Lynn Mackey also shares her j...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch discusses the evolution of print and news media in the Greater East Bay with Barney Fonzi of Diablo Magazine and Jeremy Walsh of Embarcadero Media. Jeremy shares his journey from a journalism student to editor at Embarcadero, detailing their transition to a nonprofit model and the importance of online engagement. Barney recounts Diablo...

In this episode of the Capstone conversation, host Jared Ash is joined by Maureen Toms, Councilwoman and former Mayor of Pinole, and Sonia Bustamante, Chief of Staff to Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia. The discussion centers around the unique challenges women face in becoming political and community leaders, particularly those who are mothers or have young families. Key topics include the need...

In this episode of the Capstone conversation hosted by Jared Ash, Yolanda Chenko from Eyegate Innovation Hub and Daybreak Labs in Livermore details their work fostering economic growth in the Greater East Bay by supporting science-based startups. Yolanda explains how Daybreak Labs, a physical coworking space that provides lab and office facilities, assists early-stage companies in obtaining fundin...

In today's episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch delves into the advancements and challenges within K-12 educational technology with experts Dr. Michael Conner and Jacob Kantor. Dr. Conner, with a rich background in educational roles from fourth-grade teacher to superintendent, discusses his journey into EdTech and AI through studies at Harvard and MIT. He emphasizes the integr...

In this episode of Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch discusses the rapid advancements in GovTech with Rachel Stern, an expert who has spent 15 years in the field. Stern shares her background, including founding InState Partners and GovTech Ventures, and highlighting the evolution of technology in government, notably AI and cloud adoption. She explains how GovTech companies, like Lyft and Zoom...

In this episode of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch interviews three key figures in senior care from the Greater East Bay: Susannah Meyer of Empower Aging, Debbie Toth from Choice in Aging, and Matthew Hulse of Contra Costa's Senior Legal Services. The discussion covers the growing aging population, senior policies, and the necessity of preparatory measures for individuals. The guest...