VALLEY INSIDER: Entrepreneurial Maxims

Congratulations to Garrison Thompson for his promotion to the new position of chief operating officer at Saalex Corp. in Camarillo. Previously, he served as director of process improvement and handled transformation initiatives for the defense contractor. The company also promoted Robert “Bobby” Bezduch to director of programs. “These role refinements are part of an ongoing growth strategy as Saalex transitions from a small to large company,” according to Saalex. … Valley Insider has learned Raymond James & Associates recently opened an office in the Trillium Towers at 6320 Canoga Ave. in Woodland Hills. Tony Battaglia, the new office’s manager, said the firm chose Warner Center because the Valley is a major market. … Marc Cesarec has joined the Encino office of Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp., where he will arrange loans for commercial real estate investors. The lending operation is a subsidiary of brokerage Marcus & Millichap Inc. in Calabasas. Cesarec previously worked at Logix Federal Credit Union. … For its Entrepreneurship Fall Kickoff, California State University – Northridge hosted serial entrepreneur Nishit Rathod’s presentation on how to develop “the entrepreneurial trait” in your personality. The talk mixed practical suggestions and cosmic wisdom – and not just for twentysomethings. “Corporations prefer entrepreneurial employees,” Rathod told the gathering of about 80 people. “If you’re not entrepreneurial, you’re turning yourself into a commodity.” To develop the “trait,” Rathod led a workshop using maxims to change behavior. Example: “Absence of doubt and lack of risks are good prompts for questioning what’s being take for granted.” Another tip: “When confused or in a dilemma, pinpoint the right questions to ask before anything else.” CSUN’s entrepreneurship series continues through Nov. 19 with the Fast Pitch New Venture Competition. Valley Insider is compiled by Editor Joel Russell. Send submissions to [email protected].