Valley Industry & Commerce Association President and CEO Brendan Huffman said he will leave his post by the end of the year. Among the accomplishments Huffman is most proud of since taking the position in 2006 is making VICA more visible to city and state lawmakers. “In Sacramento we have the most regular presence in the state capital than any other business group,” Huffman said. “We have the most regular presence at City Hall than any other Valley business group.” While the association always got involved at City Hall under Huffman the organization did a lot more, said Mitch Englander, the chief of staff for Councilman Greig Smith and who has been involved with VICA for years. VICA became a strong muscle for the Valley and the city as a whole and the successor to Huffman walks in a tall shadow, Englander said. “It is rare to find a big picture guy who is also able to implement,” Englander said. Although he helmed the association for just a short while his predecessor Bonny Herman had been there for nearly 20 years Huffman said he was ready to take on new challenges. His future plans may involve independent consulting work or with a large firm. VICA Board Chairman Greg Lippe said Huffman’s leaving was not a total surprise but it hadn’t been anticipated it would happen so soon. Huffman will remain president until a replacement is found and then will help with the transition. “My hope and desire is to find somebody with equal skills who will continue to take VICA to the next level and into the future,” Lippe said. Huffman lives in Studio City with his wife, Los Angeles Unified School District Board member Tamar Galatzan, and family. He served as public policy director and head lobbyist for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce before going to VICA.
