State Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome Horton, California Water Service Company, and Watson Land Company executive Pilar Hoyos will be honored at the Sixth Annual California State University, Dominguez Hills College of Business Administration and Public Policy Awards Luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 in the Dominguez Ballroom of the Loker Student Union on campus.
Established in 2008, the luncheon serves to highlight the successes of alumni as well as pay tribute to the important role community and business partners play in strengthening the College of Business Administration and Public Policy (CBAPP) and its degree programs. It also is the college’s major fundraising event in support of student scholarships and faculty research. Last year, the event raised more than $40,000.
The luncheon will feature opening remarks from university president Willie J. Hagan, CBAPP Dean Joseph Wen, and comments from a student scholar and a faculty research recipient, and presentations of the following Dean’s Medallion Awards:
Organization of the Year – California Water Service Company
For its service and support of the Carson community and CSU Dominguez Hills
Executive of the Year – Pilar Hoyos
Vice President for Public Affairs, Watson Land Company
For her leadership and generous philanthropic support to many initiatives in the Carson community and CSU Dominguez Hills
Alumnus of the Year – Honorable Jerome Horton (Class of 1979)
Chairman, California State Board of Equalization
For his commitment to his alma mater and his service to the State of California
Individual tickets are $50. Table or event sponsorships are also available. Sponsorship and tickets can be purchased online at www.csudh.edu/univadv/uce/CBAPPawards. Or for more information, call (310) 243-2182.
CSU Dominguez Hills is located at 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson. The Loker Student Union is at the heart of campus.
Bios on Honorees
Alumnus of the Year – Honorable Jerome Horton
Jerome Horton (Class of ’79, B.S. business administration/accounting) has served as chairman of the California State Board of Equalization since 2011 and as an elected member of the board since 2009. In his role he helped establish the Southern California Settlement and Appeals Division, the Human Trafficking Initiative, and worked to enhance compliance programs and sponsor the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and education outreach programs. Horton has more than 35 years of public service experience, including 21 years as a BOE employee, six years as a member of the California State Assembly (from 2000 to 2006), and as a councilman in the City of Inglewood. As an assemblyman, he served on the Governmental Organization Committee and authored legislation that established the BOE’s Tax Investigation Unit and the Business Tax Debtors Disclosure policies. He is a licensed realtor and a partner with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Investment Firm. He is past president of Strategies Advocates, a business consulting firm, and co-founder of Children’s Right 2000.
Executive of the Year – Pilar Hoyos
As vice president of public affairs at Watson Land Company, Pilar Hoyos serves the company and its customers as an advocate and liaison to government at all levels and to the Southern California communities where Watson business and industrial centers are located. Hoyos has been with Watson Land Company for more than 25 years and has lead the company’s exemplary philanthropic program, which combines community service and direct financial support to nonprofit organizations to help enhance quality of life for the community and its citizens. Hoyos has served on numerous boards within the City of Carson and Los Angeles County, including the Carson Guidance Program, the Carson Coordinating Council, the Boys & Girls Club of Carson, Carson Global Business Academy, the Carson Sheriff Station Support Foundation, and the California State University, Dominguez Hills Foundation.
Organization of the Year – California Water Service Company
Cal Water provides a vital resource to approximately 141,000 residents in Carson, Compton, Harbor City, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, and Torrance. It is the largest subsidiary of the California Water Service Group, which is the third-largest investor-owned water utility in the country. To ensure reliable, high-quality water, the company invests responsibly in water system infrastructures and routinely monitors, tests and treats its water supplies. Seeking to be good corporate citizens, Cal Water is active in the communities it serves, contributing time and resources to local service organizations, including donating to more than 150 charities and community groups, and each year providing holiday meals to needy families.