Velocity - Vista Chamber Podcast

Clean Energy Alliance is coming to Vista! Listen in as Rachel sits down with Greg Wade CEO and Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez to discuss the new energy plan options and how they impact residents and businesses. The new program rolls out April 1 so keep your eyes peeled for mailed information so you can choose the plan that works for you! Show notes: CEA City of Vista Climate Action Plan Book:⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠ T...

Vicente Hinojosa is an advisor with Advanced Financial Solutions who also serves as the CEO of the Vista Education Foundation. The VEF is a a non profit organization that serves Vista students by providing educational funding to support the arts, technology, internships and scholarships. The Vista Chamber partners with VEF to present Heroes of Vista, an awards event honoring educators, businesses,...

When Vista Community Clinic first opened in 1972, they set out to provide quality health care to anyone who walked through our doors. Today, over 50 years later, they have helped redefine the community clinic model by pioneering innovative models of primary care delivery. With twelve state-of-the-art clinics treating more than 70,000 patients every year, VCC is a key health provider for the Southe...

Luis Gomez is the owner/operator of Chick Fil A Vista. If you've met Luis, you recognize his warm and authentic smile. His unique path to being a Chick Fil A owner/operator is an inspiration! Join guest host Kent Leithold as he sits down with Luis to talk about community service, investing in team members, and that Chick-Fil-A sauce! Also, learn how your community group can partner with Chick-...

Vista Fire Chief Washington joined the City of Vista in August of 2023 after 32 years of fire service. He sits down with Rachel to talk about his background, passion for developing talent pipelines, and what's next for the Vista Fire Department. Enjoy this insightful and inspiring conversation with Chief Washington! Book: Firefighter: Williams, Herman: Song: Lovely Day - Bill Withers Business:...

Join Rachel for some year-end highlights, special announcements and a Christmas gift, just for you! Follow us at @velocityvistapod on IG and Facebook. Advertising inquiries can be sent to ceo@vistachamber.org. Velocity is produced by A Different Day Radio.

Rachel and Kent from the Chamber have a special announcement surrounding this year's Vista Christmas Parade! The Vista Chamber will host the 65th Annual Vista Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2nd at 1pm in Downtown Vista. Presented by Barnicle's Express with support from the City of Vista, Children's Paradise, Tideline Partners, Freddie's Place and EDCO this year's Grand...

We’re on a break this week but wanted to share a few special thoughts with you. See you in December with all new episodes!

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream is a true community partner. Join a sweet conversation with Rachel, Shawnta Fleming and Jennifer Vu who work with six Handel's locations, including Vista. These dedicated ladies help Handel's invest in the future, whether that's through fundraising efforts supporting local schools and nonprofit orgs or by hiring local employees - many of them for their v...

Glen Henry, also known as Beleaf, is an online influencer who shares content about parenting on his website Beleaf in Fatherhood. With millions of followers on multiple platforms, Beleaf aims to equip fathers, bring hope to mothers, and inspire children. His hope is that real stories of fatherhood will bring connection and healing to people everywhere. He sits down with Rachel to talk about findin...

John Franklin has served as Mayor of Vista since 2022, previously serving on the City Council for eight years. Originally from Kansas, Mayor Franklin was drawn to public service as a college student. After serving as a Congressional aide in Washington DC, Franklin chose Vista as his permanent home due to the size of community, quality of life, and the great weather. Mayor Franklin is focused on ad...

Don Stump is a lifelong helper. After growing up in Texas and attending school in Boston, an internship with a juvenile court diversion program changed the course of his life, leading him to a career in non-profit leadership. After 30 years as a non-profit leader, and sixteen as CEO for Lifeline Community Services, Don is now preparing to retire. As Lifeline celebrates 50 years on community impact...

Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey is the President & Superintendent of Palomar College and is the first Latina to serve in this role. She was born and raised in Oceanside, California and is proud to have started her post-secondary education at a community college. In addition, to a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, San Marcos, and a master’s degree in Education, with a...

John Conley was appointed as Vista City Manager in March 2023 after serving the City in a variety of roles over 25 years, most recently as the Director of Community Development & Engineering. Join Rachel for the final episode of season two as she learns more about Mr. Conley, what does a City Manager do and what's next for the City of Vista. Show notes: City of Vista City of Vista - GIS Ma...

SVN Vanguard was selected as the Vista Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year for 2023! Join Rachel as she sits down with Nadeem Haddad to learn about his work in the commercial real estate industry, what's new in his field and why he is a Vista Chamber enthusiast! At his core, Nadeem is a problem solver and welcomes the challenge of his industry. Learn more about Nadeem and SVN Vanguard...

Denisse Barragan is the Vista Chamber 2023 Businessperson of the Year. She is co-owner of J&R Auto Body and Paint, a collision repair automotive shop. Her story of resilience and success after a personal loss is an inspiration to all! Learn more about Denisse and her strategic, thoughtful approach to managing her business in this episode. Show Notes: J&R Auto Body and Paint Miss Vista and...

Sunny Days Sunshine Center provides The Sunshine Center is a pediatric provider offering academic, social, emotional, and behavioral services. The Sunshine Center was selected as the Small Business of the Year for 2023! Brooke Gibbons is the Center Supervisor and brings expertise and passion for Center patients and staff in a way that really makes a difference. Learn more about Sunny Days Sunshine...

Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, USAF (Ret.) is the 2023 Heroes of Vista Veteran of the Year. He served in the Air Force for 20 years. After retirement he started HERO, Inc. a boxing program for youth. Listen today to learn more about Rudy, his service, how boxing saved his life and how it is shaping the futures of countless kids in Vista. Show Notes: HERO, Inc. Tri-City Medical Center Vista High Scho...

Born and raised in Vista, Adam Brooks was born to be an entrepreneur. With Adam's vision and drive, Alchemy has become Vista's go-to print shop. A lifelong learner and teacher, Adam continues to expand his business, train and retain employees and share his talents at the Vista Chamber. He served as Chairman of the Board for the Vista Chamber from 2021-2022 and is the youngest person to eve...

Colin Tappe owns Vista's only record store. Standards has become, well, a Vista standard for music lovers and vinyl enthusiasts. In this interview Colin shares his early musical influences, how Standards was born when he was barely 30, and why you won't find tchotchkes in his shop. He also talks about the importance of the right partnerships, the connection between hardcore music and the Y...

Vista Irrigation District has been reliably serving water to the Vista community for 100 years, since 1923. Join Rachel and Patrick Sanchez, VID District Director, as they discuss the role and scope of VID, the challenges and opportunities of the District, and what’s next in the world of water! Have the recent rains ended the drought? Find out more in this episode! Show Notes Vista Irrigation Dist...

Vanessa Ruiz is the Vice President of Operations for the San Diego & North County Food Bank. A San Diego native, Vanessa oversees programs and external partnerships for the Food Bank. The San Diego and North County Food Banks provide food and resources to San Diego County families either at the San Diego or Vista locations or through the various partnerships in the County. The Food Bank is doi...

Is your business safe from cyber security threats? In this episode, Rachel sits down with Cliff Kaiser from Strategic IT Group to talk about the changing IT needs of businesses, cyber security concerns that impact us all, and the secret to the perfect password(s).  Cliff's background in the Navy and his passion for engineering and the tech world aligns perfectly with his goal to support San D...

For this informative episode, Rachel sits down with CEO Julie Wootton and HR Lead Traci Hagan from San Diego Human Resources Consulting to discuss HR laws that every employer needs on their radar in 2023. Are you in compliance with all the changes this year? Listen in as these experts walk through all you need to know. And you'll learn a little about these two HR rockstars, too!  San Diego Hu...

Jason Roberts is co-founder and CEO of Frontline Careers, a social impact startup on a mission to connect frontline employees looking for more, with companies that offer more. The startup’s proprietary Frontline Friendly℠ Assessment and Certification process enables frontline job seekers, customers, and investors to better identify those companies that truly value and invest in their frontline sta...