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2000 Hall of Fame Inductees
Kathy Aaronson - The Sales Athlete, Inc.
Kathy Aaronson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Sales Athlete,
Inc., author of the best seller Selling on the Fast Track, How to Become a Sales
Athlete (Putnam/Berkeley), and the acclaimed Kathy Aaronson’s Compensation
Guide (SW7, Ltd). As a nationally recognized expert on managing top media sales,
marketing, advertising, and management talent, she is responsible for having
facilitated more than 750,000 experienced and inexperienced executives coast
to coast since 1971. Ms. Aaronson began her sales career with Cosmopolitan magazine
and went on to spearhead the sales and marketing efforts for the founding of
Girl Talk, the first consumer-controlled circulation magazine in America. Kathy
has been retained by more than a thousand companies including Vogue, Disney,
Johnson & Johnson, The New York Times, The Tribune Company, Adweek, Brandweek,
MediaWeek, The Hollywood Reporter, AOL/Time Warner, Hollywood.com, the Los Angeles
Times, State of Minnesota, NASA, Fox Sports, The Los Angeles Dodgers, and numerous
publishing, television, cable, radio and new media companies.
Gloria Allred - Allred, Moroko & Goldberg
Gloria Allred has been practicing law for 23 years and is a founding partner
of Allred, Maroko & Goldberg. Her firm handles cases of sexual harassment
and discrimination in employment, divorce, child custody and child sexual abuse.
Voted one of the best lawyers in America, she was also honored with an award
from President Reagan at the White House. L.A. Magazine called her "one
of the 30 most powerful people in LA.," and Time, "one of the nation’s
most effective advocates of family rights and feminist causes." Ms. Allred
is the host of her own radio show on KABC Talkradio in L.A. and will soon be
featured on a nationally syndicated television show, "Power of Attorney."
Ms. Allred earned her masters from N.Y. University, and her J.D. cam laude from
Loyola School of Law.
Jane Arnault - JurEcon, Inc.
E. Jane Arnault Ph.D. is President and CEO of JurEcon, a prominent economic
consulting firm which provides economic and financial analysis, valuations &
expert testimony. A core of highly credentialed professors and senior business
executives lead JurEcon’s projects. Clients include major law firms, State
Attorneys General, business corporations of all sizes, including several multinationals.
Both Ms. Arnault and JurEcon have been active in the community by supporting
many organizations in education and the arts – contemporary art, music
dance, theater. JurEcon is a Contributing Founder of MOCA. Jane has served on
numerous corporate and non-profit boards of directors. A member of the Board
of the California Chamber of Commerce, she has chaired its Health Care Policy
Committee for over 10 years. Ms. Arnault is a graduate of Smith College and
has a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania. She was a professor
of economics before starting JurEcon. She and her husband, Max Factor III, have
three grown daughters.
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire - Berkhemer/Clayton, Inc.
President-elect of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-LA)
Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire is a two-career entrepreneur. Currently President and
co-founder of Berkhemer/Clayton, Inc. a senior-level retained executive search
firm committed to diversity, with 15 employees, minority and women-owned, headquartered
in downtown Los Angeles, founded in 1994. Clients include Hilton, Nike, Disney,
Toyota, McKesson, Anderson Consulting, Edison International, and more. For 1999,
BCI was # 97 on the LABJ list. In 1973, she launched her first business which
became one of the largest public relations agencies in Los Angeles, then acquired
by Golin/Harris Communications in Chicago, handling national public relations
for Nintendo, Toshiba, Southwest Airlines, El Pollo Loco, Tournament of Roses,
Price Waterhouse, and Baskin-Robbins. She previously served as chair of the
Rebuild LA Communications Task Force; and currently serves on the advisory board
of the UCLA Medical Center, and the boards of directors for Southern California
Leadership Network, and the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. Member of Town
Hall of Los Angeles, Organization of Women Executives, UCLA Alumni Association,
UCLA Chancellor Associates, LA Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Women’s
Foundation, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Ms. Berkhemer-Credaire
is a graduate of UCLA.
Sue Bohle - The Bohle Company
Sue Bohle is a highly regarded public relations professional. She started her
career at Burson-Marsteller, the world’s largest public relations agency.
She was then hired by the J. Walter Thompson Co. She became JWT’s first
vice president on the West Coast, the first woman in Los Angeles to be named
general manager of an office of an international PR firm. In 1979, Sue decided
to open her own public relations firm. Today, The Bohle Company is one of the
75 largest independent PR firms in the country, serving some of the nation’s
most respected technology clients.
Karen Caplan and Frieda Caplan - Frieda's Inc.
At age 30 in 1986, Karen Caplan became the President & CEO of Frieda’s
Inc., the nation’s leading marketer and distributor of specialty produce.
As the first born daughter of entrepreneur Frieda Caplan, the company’s
founder, Karen propelled the company to the forefront of the produce industry
with annual sales now exceeding $30 million. Not only has Karen served as President
of NAWBO-LA, but she has been highly involved in the industry serving on the
Boards of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable
Association and the Produce Marketing Association. Ms. Caplan has also been
honored with many awards, including “Business Woman of the Year”
for the National Association of Women Business Owners, and was named the 1996
Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Women in Business Advocate for the
Western United States. Frieda Caplan has spent 38 fruitful years in business
founding the first woman-owned and operated wholesale produce company in the
U.S. Her marketing abilities became recognized worldwide with her success in
introducing and promoting the Kiwifruit in the U.S. Some of her honors include
being elected vice president of the national Produce Marketing Association in
1972. Frieda has also received the UCLA Professional Achievement Award. In 1986,
Frieda was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Frieda’s Inc. In 1987
Frieda was selected as an outstanding California Woman in Business by California’s
former Governor Deukmejian. She is a member of the Vegetable Research &
Information Center Advisory Committee at UC Davis. A veteran of network radio
and television, Frieda was the original Greengrocer on ABC-TV.
Barbara Sayre Casey - Casey Sayre & Williams, Inc.
Barbara Sayre Casey is Chairman & CEO of Casey Sayre & Williams, Inc.,
a Santa Monica based consulting firm providing public relations and communications
counsel to businesses and professional firms. Since she founded the company
20 years ago, it has become one of the largest independent and most highly respected
public relations firms in the Los Angeles area. Clients include Korn/Ferry International;
O’Melveny & Myers; TrizecHahn and Payden & Rygel. Committed to
community, the arts and education, Ms. Casey is a regent of Loyola Marymount
University and a board member of its Center for the Study of Los Angeles as
well as the Trusteeship, the Los Angeles Conservancy and the John F. Kennedy
School of Government at Harvard University. A magna cum laude graduate of West
Virginia University, Ms. Casey earned her Bachelor of Science degree in journalism.
She resides in Malibu, California.
Peggy Tsiang Cherng, Ph.D. - Panda Restaurant Group
Peggy Tsiang Cherng, President and CEO of South Pasadena-based Panda Management
Company, Inc. (PMC) has played an instrumental role over 25 years to establish
PMC as the nationwide leader in quality Chinese food, grossing more than $217
million annually system-wide, through its Panda Express, Panda Inn and Panda
restaurant concepts. Burmese born, Peggy holds a Bachelor of Science degree
in applied mathematics from Oregon State University and a master’s degree
in computer science with a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University
of Missouri. Through PMC, Peggy recently launched a company-wide community involvement
initiative called Panda Cares to assist nonprofit children’s organizations
nationwide. She also helps to support a baby panda, “Pei-Pei,” for
its care at the Panda Reproductive Center in China.
Ellen Daigle - Ellen's Silkscreening & Promotional Products
Ellen’s Silkscreening & Promotional Products has grown steadily since
Ellen Daigle produced her first imprinted T – Shirt two decades ago. Along
the way, she has expanded her operation, increased her customer base, added
new lines of merchandise and promotional goods. Ms. Daigle has experienced 10%
- 18% growth per year over the past 22 years and in 1999 was named to the Los
Angeles Business Journal’s list of “Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses
in Los Angeles County.” From her office/showroom in South Pasadena, she
provides custom printing and embroidery for schools, camps, churches, business,
communities and a multitude of fund-raising organizations. She can personalize
almost any product – from her signature T – Shirts to cups, mugs,
caps, visors, pens & pencils, datebooks, briefcases and a complete array
of specialty items for any marketing/promotional activity.
Brenda French - French Rags
Entrepreneur Brenda French is the founder and owner of French Rags, a fashion
design company that specializes in mass customized knitwear. A 36-year fashion
industry veteran, Ms. French heads the multi-million dollar company and is leading
the fashion industry in the new concept of merchandising directly to the consumer.
A native of England, Ms. French’s career in fashion began in New York
in 1962 where she worked as the sportswear editor for the Tobe Report. Pursuing
her interest in fashion design, she soon made a career move and held various
positions in designing and merchandising before moving to LA in 1975. After
22 years in business in LA, Ms. French’s factory is appropriately a former
movie studio complete with screening room.
Stacie Hunt and Sally Jewett - On the Scene Productions
Stacie Hunt, an Emmy award-winning radio and television host, launched On the
Scene Productions (OTSP) in 1985, with her partner, Sally Jewett. Prior to joining
forces with Ms. Jewett, Ms. Hunt launched RadioWorks in the 1970’s, a
radio production and syndication company where she obtained experience and client
relationships that contributed greatly to OTSP’s overall growth and success.
Under Ms. Hunt’s direction, OTSP pioneered the concept of electronic publicity
for the music industry, producing the first ever-electronic publicity kit promoting
a concert on behalf of singer Billy Joel. Today, OTSP is responsible for producing
live concerts and events and delivering artists globally, via satellite, to
traditional broadcast outlets as well Internet portals and Web sites. Prior
to launching OTSP in 1985 with her partner, Sally Jewett was a successful television
producer and director. She played a key role in developing many innovative and
popular television programs including PM Magazine and Paramount Television’s
highly rated Entertainment Tonight, where she produced more than 600 news features.
Her television experience prior to OTSP was key in helping to refine her keen
sense of news and her ability to provide clients with strategic counsel on the
most effective and compelling way of packaging a news story. In addition to
success with traditional broadcast media, Ms. Jewett is once again, breaking
new ground in broadcast innovations, leading the way in developing Internet
news strategies for her clients. She recently launched the Company’s Internet-based
news service, otsp iNews, with the purpose of distributing news and feature
content to an array of Web site partners, and creating and Internet presence
for her clients. After 16 years, On The Scene Productions is a rapidly-growing
company with more that 40 employees, in four offices including Los Angeles,
New York, Chicago and Nashville. In 1999 OTSP generated more than $10 million
in revenue. Once again breaking new ground, Ms. Jewett and Ms. Hunt successfully
completed transfer of 50 percent ownership of the organization to its employees
via an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), thereby securing the future growth
of OTSP and its ability to attract top tier talent.
Susan Kendall - Kendall Frozen Fruits, Inc.
Susan Kendall is President of Kendall Frozen Fruits, Inc, pioneers in the development
and marketing of specialty dried products and fruit concentrates. Originally
founded in 1939 by Mort Kendall, Susan purchased the company from her father
in 1976. Under her direction and management, the company has grown tremendously.
Frozen Fruits, Inc. was named one of the top 50 women owned businesses in LA
County. By working directly with growers, packers and customers, Kendall Frozen
Fruits, Inc. remains on the cutting edge of innovation and will continue expanding
its presence both nationally and internationally. Ms. Kendall is politically
active in the Women’s Democratic Leadership Forum and is involved in the
2000 Gore campaign. In recognition of her philanthropic contributions, Ms. Kendall
was invited to join the Board of the Thalians Mental Health Center, run by Cedars
Sinai Hospital.
Sue Laris - Los Angeles Downtown News
Over the past 28 years, award-winning writer Sue Laris, founder of the Los Angeles
Downtown News, has made her multimedia company an integral part of urban Los
Angeles’ information network. Sue has also served as a member of more
than 30 local and national public service organizations. In 1995 she became
the first woman to chair the Central City Association. She currently serves
on the Boards of Directors for the Central City Association, L.A. Convention
& Visitors Bureau, Public Counsel and Grand Performances. She is a fourth
generation Californian and a fourth generation female entrepreneur. Los Angeles
Downtown News is L.A. ‘s Urban Newspaper. It is dedicated to the understanding,
preservation, and growth of the city’s business, political, and cultural
communities.
Barbara Lazaroff - Imaginings Interior Designs
Restaurant and architectural designer Barbara Lazaroff, A.S.I.D. , is renowned
for her innovative restaurant concepts. As President of Imaginings Interior
Design, Inc., Ms. Lazaroff has designed such popular restaurants as Spago the
1994 recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant of the Year
award – where she helped to introduce the exhibition kitchen; Chinois
On Main, with its Fellini-esque rendition of Asia; and Granita in Malibu, Lazaroff’s
dynamic and wildly unique “abstract interpretation” of the quality
of light and sense of movement underwater. Additionally, Lazaroff has worked
abroad, designing Spago Tokyo, and the Wolfgang Puck Café in Melbourne,
Australia. Ms. Lazaroff is involved with a variety of humanitarian, environmental,
social and political issues. She is a member of the Network of Executive Women
in Hospitality, a founding board member of the International Association of
Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, a member of the California Women in Environmental
Design and of the Hollywood Women’s Political Committee. Among many charitable
organizations, Lazaroff and her husband, Wolfgang Puck, are major supporters
of Meals on Wheels, founding and hosting sixteen years of the American Wine
& Food Festival in Los Angeles which has raised millions of dollars to provide
meals for the homebound disabled and elderly.
Brenda Levin - Levin & Associates, Architects, Inc.
Brenda Levin is founding principal of Levin and Associates, a Los Angeles based
architecture and urban design firm, nationally known for large scale renovations
and adaptive reuse of historic buildings; academic, civic, and commercial buildings;
and multifamily housing. Levin and Associates is responsible for the renovations
of the Wiltern Theater, Oviatt, Fine Arts, and Bradbury Buildings, and Grand
Central Markets. Recently completed are Student Centers for Scripps and Occidental
Colleges; the Boone Gallery at the Huntington; and the University Art Museum
at UCSB. Ms. Levin has received numerous awards, including AIA’s Honor
and Distinguished Achievement Awards and the State of California Legislature
Woman of the Year Award. Ms. Levin holds a Master’s degree in Architecture
from Harvard University, and was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American
Institute of Architects in 1997.
Mary Micucci - Along Came Mary
Starting the company from the back of a Volkswagen Bug in the mid-seventies,
Mary Micucci has built Along Came Mary Productions into the #1 event production
and gourmet catering company. Ms. Micucci has gained worldwide recognition not
only for her dominance of Hollywood entertainment and movie premieres, but for
her vast corporate clients list as well. Ms. Micucci has also maintained a deep
commitment to the community she serves. Through Adopt-A-School, Ms. Micucci
was instrumental in building a new library at LA Unified’s Alta Loma Elementary.
She is also a generous benefactor to Big Sisters, Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric
AIDS Foundation, St. Agatha’s Catholic Church, Angel Harvest, and has
served on the board of The Neil Bogart Memorial Foundation for 10 years. Ms.
Micucci and her company are proven visionaries; they are artistic and dedicated
and have developed an unparalleled reputation for producing unforgettable events.
Anne Ready - Ready for Media
Anne Ready is well known on both sides of the industry from print journalism
and talk show production to media strategy and communications coaching. Ms.
Ready has coached thousands of entrepreneurs and corporate executives for interviews
in and on the Today Show, The Wall Street Journal, 60 Minutes, Nightline, the
Los Angeles Times, PC Week, the New York Times, Business Week, the San Jose
Mercury News, MacWorld, Fortune, MicroTimes, CNN, Time Magazine, Java World,
People and numerous satellite feeds. She founded her company, Ready for Media
in 1980 after a distinguished journalism career writing for the Chicago Tribune,
Advertising Age and the Los Angeles Times. As a television producer, she helped
create TV talk shows for such well-known personalities as Dinah Shore, Vidal
Sassoon and Regis Philbin. Ms. Ready has coached the founders of legendary companies
ranging from Armor All to Compaq Computers and her firm’s celebrity clients
have included Olympic gold medalists, sports spokespeople like the late Flojo,
John Salley, Steve Buerlein, Summer Sanders, Jack Youngblood and rock stars
Pete Cetera and Tommy Lee.
Bobbi Rice - B.P. Rice & Company, Inc.
Established in 1979, B.P. Rice & Company is an advertising, public relations
and marketing agency for business-to-business communications serving national
and international clients including Fortune 100 businesses, non-profit organizations
and e-commerce. Ms. Rice has received honors including the Top 100 Women-Owned
Businesses of L.A., Mobius International Advertising, AAF Silver Medal, Designer
Best Exhibit & Best of Show –Lulus, and New York Festivals Awards.
Ms. Rice is also a member of the American Advertising Federation; NAWBO-LA;
Los Angeles Advertising Women; California State University – Fullerton,
Endowment Council, School of Communications Advisory, and Executive Alumni,
International Interior Design Association and Network of Executive Women in
Hospitality.
Sandra Rygel - Payden & Rygel
A graduate cum laude from UCLA, Sandra Rygel is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.
After working at a national investment advisory firm, Scudder, Stevens and Clark,
for over ten years, Ms. Rygel, along with Joan Payden, co-founded Payden &
Rygel in 1983, to specialize in managing fixed income securities for institutional
accounts such as corporate and pension plans. Over the next ten years the firm
grew include over 50 employees and $14 billion in assets under management. In
1993 Ms. Rygel left the firm to pursue other interests. Ms. Rygel lives in France
part-time and is involved in church-related activities, including being a Trustee
of Gifts and Endowments at The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston.
Ms. Rygel continues to be active in the investment area, including being a Director
and Consultant to Laurel Grove Capital, a Century City based firm, which focuses
on individual, retirement, and endowment funds.
Deborah Sussman - Sussman/Prejza & Company, Inc.
Trained in the fabled office of Charles and Ray Eames, Deborah Sussman is the
founding Principal of Sussman/Prejza & Co., Inc., globally acclaimed for
their groundbreaking leadership of the “look” of the 1984 Olympics
in Los Angeles. Acknowledged internationally as a pioneer of Environmental Graphic
Design, her work has recently been referred to as “urban poetry”.
Familiar local work includes the widely-applauded identities for The Gas Company
and The City of Santa Monica. Current projects include: urban identity and streetscapes
for several California cities and Universal City Walk; global signing programs
for SGI and Amgen; the future identity for Hollywood & Highland (home to
the new Academy Theatre); guidelines for the Hollywood Entertainment District:
plus programs for corporate, cultural, civic, retail, entertainment and sports
venues across the U.S. and abroad. Ms. Sussman’s numerous awards include
an Honorary Doctorate from Bard College.
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