Caruso Talks Shop(ping) at Valley Economic Alliance Summit

  • Dean Chandra Subramaniam shakes hands with Rick Caruso, while Fred Gaines stands next to them, holding a microphone.

    Chandra Subramaniam (center), dean of CSUN's David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, welcomes keynote speaker and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso (left) to campus for the 2024 Valley Economic Alliance Regional Summit, Jan. 11, 2024, at the Orchard Conference Center. Moderator Fred Gaines, former mayor of Calabasas, holds the mic. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Paul Krekorian stands at a podium, gesturing with his right hand and speaking into a microphone.

    Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian welcomes local business leaders, officials and guests to the 2024 Valley Economic Alliance Regional Summit -- co-hosted by CSUN's David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, Jan. 11, 2024, at the campus' Orchard Conference Center. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Rick Caruso smiles and gestures to an audience member.

    Legendary retail developer and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso — whose company, Caruso, is known for The Grove and Calabasas Commons, among others — gives keynote remarks at the 2024 Valley Economic Alliance Regional Summit, Jan. 11, 2024, at CSUN's Orchard Conference Center. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Fred Gaines and Rick Caruso sit on stage, while Carsuo speaks into a microphone. Crowd in foreground.

    Keynote speaker Rick Caruso (right) on stage with moderator Fred Gaines (left, former mayor of Calabasas) at the 2024 Valley Economic Alliance Regional Summit, Jan. 11, 2024, at CSUN's Orchard Conference Center. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

Legendary retail developer and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso headlined a gathering of more than 200 of the region’s elected officials, business leaders, CSUN leaders and alumni at the campus’ Orchard Conference Center on Jan. 11. Caruso — whose eponymous company, Caruso, is known for iconic L.A. shopping centers such as The Grove and Calabasas Commons, addressed the second-annual “Our Region, Our Future” summit convened by the Valley Economic Alliance. He spoke about his background, starting from scratch in real estate, and emphasized the need to build a range of housing — especially affordable housing — and more mixed-use (residential with retail) development. “There is buying power in the Valley, like nowhere else in L.A.,” Caruso said.

Chandra Subramaniam, dean of CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, which co-sponsored the summit, welcomed Caruso and all the program’s dignitaries to campus. On the very cold and blustery January morning, he also presented Caruso with a welcome piece of Nazarian College swag: a fleece vest.

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