Camarillo, Calif., April 10, 2015 – An area technology titan who just entered a $1.5 billion deal with LinkedIn Corp. is among three outstanding business, technology and community leaders to be recognized at CSU Channel Islands (CI)’s 11th Annual Business & Technology Partnership (B&TP) Leadership Dinner. The gala will take place Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach.
Lynda Weinman, who started Lynda.com with her husband, Bruce Heavin in an Ojai office 20 years ago, sold the company for $1.5 billion to LinkedIn Corp. The announcement was made April 9, a purchase the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) calls LinkedIn’s largest acquisition so far.
The WSJ reports the cash-and-stock deal gives the professional networking site one of the biggest online libraries of video tutorials, with courses ranging from web design to digital photography.
“LinkedIn plans to market these courses to its 347 million members, part of a broader effort by the Mountain View, Calif., company to get those users to spend more time on the site and do more beyond updating their résumés and looking for jobs,” reads the April 9 WSJ report.
“CSU Channel Islands and its Business & Technology Partnership are so pleased for Lynda and Lynda.com.,” said Nichole Ipach, CI’s Vice President for University Advancement. “Her recent successes only affirm her impact on technology, education and our region. We could not be more delighted that she will join us as we recognize her as a leader in her field as she is an incredible example for our students and champion for lifelong learning.”
Sharing the spotlight with Weinman Thursday night will be a Camarillo business leader and CI Foundation Board member Christopher Meissner, and CI faculty member, Priscilla Liang, Ph.D., who are both leading the way for the next generation of business and technology leaders.
Here is a list of the 2015 B&TP Leadership Award honorees:
Technologist of the Year: Lynda Weinman, Executive Chair of the Board and Co-Founder of Lynda.com
Weinman is a self-taught computer expert, author, educator, and entrepreneur. In 1995 she wrote the first industry book on web design and web graphics. Lynda.com is one of the most successful companies in online education that teaches technology, design and business skills. Weinman and her husband and co-founder, Bruce Heavin, have helped Lynda.com to evolve from its original concept as a free web resource for her students, to an award-winning online learning company.
Business and Community Leader of the Year: Christopher Meissner, CEO, Meissner Filtration Products, Inc.
Meissner is founder and President of Meissner Filtration Products, Inc., a company that he has developed as the leader in microfiltration providing high performance products and technical support services for critical application. Established in 1989 and located in Camarillo, Meissner Filtration Products, Inc., develops, manufactures, supplies and services advanced microfiltration and single-use systems worldwide. Meissner dedicates his time to his local community by serving on these Boards: Economic Development Collaborative/Ventura County, St. John’s Seminary, and the CSU Channel Islands Foundation.
Faculty Leader of the Year: Priscilla Liang, CI Associate Professor of Finance, MVS School of Business & Economics
Priscilla Liang received her bachelor’s degree in China and her MBA and Ph.D. in Financial Economics in the United States. Before pursuing her academic career, she worked extensively in real estate development, emerging markets investments, and international business management in both countries. She teaches a variety of classes at CI (since 2006) which includes Business Finance, Behavioral Finance and Business in China.
CI will also award five scholarships worth $6,000 each to students: Vivianna Day ’16 Chemistry, Nicholas Montgomery, ’16 Mathematics, Oanh Tran, ’17 Biology, Peter van Zyl, ’16 Nursing, and Leonard Vigeant ’18 Nursing.
The annual event serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships. It honors the contributions of three local leaders whose work helps advance business, technology, educational collaboration and the local economy, as well as several CI students.
Tickets are $150 and may be reserved online.
The event begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and award presentations at 8 p.m.
A part of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics, the B&TP is a collaborative effort between CI and community leaders, business and technology executives and professionals. The B&TP works to foster the collaboration of technology and related service-based companies with CI and promote technological excellence among CI students, faculty and staff for the benefit of the region’s economy.
Sponsors for this year’s event include Title Sponsor: Union Bank; Banquet Sponsor: Joan & Dennis Gaiser; Networking Sponsors: Anderson Construction, Inc., Square One Architecture, O’Connor Electric, Inc., and Climate Control Company; Invitation Sponsor: Aera; Wine Sponsor: Airborne Technologies; Innovation Sponsor: Montecito Bank & Trust; Video Sponsor: Pacific Western Bank; Program Sponsor: Ventura County Credit Union; Supporting Sponsor: Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics; Technology Sponsor: Rabobank; Award Sponsors: Barbara & Wayne Davey, Elise & Bill Kearney, and Nancy & Carl Wesely; Media Sponsors: Pacific Coast Business Times and Ventura County Star; and In-Kind Sponsors: Malisse Restaurant, Luners Production Services, The Tower Club, and Trufflehound’s Fine Chocolates.
For additional information or available sponsorships, contact Alissa Larreta, Assistant Director of Advancement Events at 805-437-8916 or alissa.larreta@csuci.edu
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.