CalPERS CEO to Unveil Impact of California Investments on Job Creation at Conference Focused on Emerging Companies in Urban Mark

Fred Buenrostro, CEO of CalPERS will review new research showing the impact of the pension fund's efforts to generate productivity and jobs in the state's underserved, undercapitalized urban and rural areas. His speech on Friday October 19 is entitled "CalPERS: An Economic Engine in California -- and for Emerging Companies in Urban Markets." Buenrostro will be speaking at the Bay Area Capital Connections II conference. The conference brings together CEOs and executives at rapidly expanding Hispanic, minority, and other businesses with equity and debt capital investors. Panels on how to develop the tools and resources needed for fast-paced growth will be led by experts from venture capital and angel investing, banking, management and marketing consulting, law, and executive recruitment. Several companies will also be selected to make a pitch to investors for equity funding. For conference information and registration, visit www.allianceforcommunitydevelopment.org/news.html

SAN JOSE, October 2, 2007 - Fred Buenrostro, CEO of the giant California Public Employees Retirement System -- also known as CalPERS, with an investment portfolio of $244 billion -- will review new research showing the impact of the pension fund's efforts to generate productivity and jobs in the state's underserved, undercapitalized urban and rural areas. His speech on Friday October 19 is entitled "CalPERS: An Economic Engine in California -- and for Emerging Companies in Urban Markets."

Buenrostro will be speaking in the Council Chambers at San Jose City Hall as part of the Bay Area Capital Connections II conference. Other keynote speakers at the conference include Joe Coto, California Assemblyman and Chair of the Latino Caucus; Margarita Quihuis, CEO of Indigo Financiera and Chairperson of Hispanic Net; and James Gutierrez, CEO of Progress Financial Corporation and General Partner at Great Oaks Ventures.

Bay Area Capital Connections II will bring together CEOs and executives at rapidly expanding Hispanic, minority, and other businesses with equity and debt capital investors. Educational panels on how to develop the tools and resources needed for fast-paced growth will be led by experts from venture capital and angel investing, banking, management and marketing consulting, law, and executive recruitment. As one of the conference's highlights, several companies will also be selected to make a pitch to investors for equity funding. The conference is open to all interested participants.

Created by two innovative non-profit organizations, the Alliance for Community Development and the Bay Area Council, the Bay Area Capital Connections conference series seeks to assist businesses that have the potential to revitalize the region's underserved markets through job creation and economic growth.

The conference is connected with a $215 million effort called the Bay Area Family of Funds, a regional initiative which attracts private capital into low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Through "double bottom line" investing, these funds use market-based solutions to promote smart growth, support local businesses, and create jobs for local residents.

To find out more information on Bay Area Capital Connections II and to register, see www.allianceforcommunitydevelopment.org/news.html

Conference sponsors include:

City of San Jose

BusinessOwnersSpace.com

University of San Francisco, School of Business and Management

California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Access to Business Capital

Heller Ehrman

Technology Ventures Corporation

Bank of America

PG&E

Union Bank of California

Citibank

Schwab Bank

Merrill Lynch

US Bank

WAMU

CalPERS

Hamilton Lane

Bank of the West

Wilmer Hale

The Alliance for Community Development

The Alliance for Community Development ("Alliance") is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the development of job opportunities for residents of low- and moderate-income communities in the Greater Bay Area through the use of "double bottom line" private investment strategies, i.e. providing investment capital for rapidly-growing companies that can achieve market rate financial returns and positive economic, social, and environmental returns.

Bay Area Council

Founded in 1945, the Bay Area Council (www.bayareacouncil.org) is an advocate for a strong economy, a vital business environment, and a better quality of life for residents of the Bay Area. Led by CEOs, the Bay Area Council represents over 275 of the region's largest employers, presenting a strong, united voice for business in shaping public policy and addressing regional issues in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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