George F. Will

Renowned political author, columnist and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist George Will has been named the keynote speaker at the Contra Costa Council’s annual daylong Contra Costa USA conference on Jan. 29.

Personally, I am a huge fan of Will’s and I am looking forward to his presentation.

Also on the USA schedule is comedian Will Durst, former San Francisco Speaker Willie Brown and former Contra Costa Supervisor Sunne Wright McPeak.

Read more for a full schedule and how to obtain conference tickets.

Concord, CA – President-Elect Barack Obama reportedly dined with political columnist George F. Will this month, and now the Contra Costa Council is bringing the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist to dinner at the 23rd annual Contra Costa USA program. The Contra Costa Council, in pleased to present, in conjunction with our title sponsor Chevron, George F. Will, the conservative journalist and author who will offer the keynote address at this year’s signature event Contra Costa USA, the annual day-long conference on topical issues of interest to citizens of Contra Costa County and the world at large.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

8 a.m. registration and exhibits.

Program starts at 9 a.m. and continues through 1:30 p.m.

Evening banquet and program from 6 p.m.

Hilton Concord Hotel

1970 Diamond Boulevard

Concord, CA

This year’s CCUSA program will concentrate on budget and legislative reform, offering the opinions of former legislators and other experts on key issues. To register to attend CCUSA, visit www.contracostacouncil.com/?sec=ccusa or call the Council office at 925-246-1880.

Here is this year’s CCUSA line-up:

9 a.m.: The morning program opens with political satirist Will Durst, who will undoubtedly have an interesting perspective on the inauguration.

10 a.m.: The first panel, “The California Budget – A Failed Process,” a discussion of the issues created by the state budget crisis, will be moderated by local favorite Mark Curtis, journalist and media consultant. Panelists include:

Jim Mayer, Executive Director, California Forward
David N. Plank, Executive Director, Policy Analysis for California Education
Dwight Stenbakken, Deputy Executive Director, League of California Cities
Julie Meier Wright, President and CEO, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation

11 a.m.: A second panel, “In Retrospect – Recommendations for the Future,” will provide the unique perspective of former legislators during one of the “golden eras” of California, and also that of a journalist. Panelists include:

Dan Borenstein, Contra Costa Times
Willie Brown, California legislative leader and former Mayor of San Francisco
Joe Canciamilla, California Assemblymember (2000-06)
Keith Richman, M.D., California Assemblymember (2000-06)

12:30 luncheon: The luncheon conversation, “A New Vision for California Governance,” features Sunne Wright McPeak, President and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund, and Thomas McKernan, CEO of AAA of Southern California and Co-Chair, California Forward.

6:00 p.m. dinner: Evening banquet and keynote by George F. Will, Pulitzer-Prize winning columnist, noted author and television panelist.

About the Contra Costa Council: The Council is a private sector, public policy organization with a membership that includes business, government, education and labor. The mission of the Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in Contra Costa County and the region (www.contracostacouncil.com).