Carmen Chu

San Francisco City Administrator

Carmen Chu was sworn in as San Francisco City Administrator by Mayor London N. Breed in February 2021. Prior to becoming City Administrator, Ms. Chu was elected Assessor (2014-2021), an elected representative on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (2007-2013), and Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Policy and Finance (2004-2007). City Administrator Chu has over 17 years of governmental management and finance experience in the City and County of San Francisco and is the first Asian American woman to serve as City Administrator.

As City Administrator, Chu oversees 25 departments, divisions, and programs that include the Department of Technology, Office of Contract Administration, Real Estate, County Clerk, Fleet Management, Convention Facilities, Animal Care & Control, Medical Examiner, and Treasure Island. She is responsible for a 2,700-strong workforce and an annual budget of nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars. She recently was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve on the UC Board of Regents.

General Session:

Tuesday, November 15 | 11AM-12PM

Journey from Board of Supervisors to Assessor- Recorder to City Administrator

Robert Eyler

Interim Associate VP of Government Relations and Professor of Economics, Sonoma State University

Dr. Robert Eyler is interim Associate Vice President of Government Relations and Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University, where he has been teaching since 1995. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in 1998. He earned a B.A. in Economics at CSU, Chico in 1992. Dr. Eyler also serves on the board of directors of Redwood Credit Union, a $9 billion nonprofit financial cooperative.   Robert has been a visiting scholar at both the University of Bologna and Stanford University. His family have been sheep and cattle ranchers in Marin and Sonoma counties since 1910.

Tuesday, November 15 | 12:00-1:30PM

Presidential Luncheon Speaker

Dr. Robert Eyler will provide an overview of the national and state economy, including forecasts for both and also for housing markets around California (with some comparisons around the US). The possibilities for home construction, and also commercial space will be provided, and some of the general challenges for counties and cities to come toward 2030.

C.C. Yin

McDonalds Franchises Owner,

Founder, APAPA

Known as the Asian Mr. McDonald’s, C.C. Yin’s life story exemplifies the goals of every immigrant who comes to America to live the American dream. C.C.’s entrepreneurial spirit drove him to invest in real estate as well as seek an opportunity to own a McDonald franchise because McDonald’s work ethics, attention to detail, value of team spirit and giving back to communities mirrored C.C.’s philosophy of successful business goals. During the past 21 years, C.C. has expended tireless personal energy and resources to build a non-profit organization, API American Public Affairs Assn., (APAPA).   The organization’s goals were to promote the importance of political awareness and civic engagement so that the new immigrants will have more of a voice in determining their destiny as Americans.  

Among the multitude of awards C.C. has received as a statewide business, civic, political and community leader include a Volunteer Service Award from President Obama, the distinguish Mobility Command Award from the U.S. Air Force, the McDonald’s Leadership award, Corporate Achievement Award by the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, National Entrepreneur of the Year, Top 50 National Food Franchisee, Top Franchisee in the Nation by Franchise Times, Minority Retail Firm of the Year by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Golden Arch Award by McDonald and numerous awards and resolutions by many organizations, local and state governmental entities. 

Tuesday, November 15| 1:30-2:30PM

Topic: The American Dream - Burgers & More to Serve the Community

Mary Yin Liu

Golden Arches Enterprises Business Owner, Past President- North California McDonald's Operators Association

Mary Yin Liu is a business owner of Golden Arch Enterprises which operates 21 McDonald’s restaurants in Sacramento, Yolo, and Solano Counties.  She served as the first female and minority President of the Northern California McDonald’s Operators Association after she was elected to the position by her fellow operators.  With her managers and her husband Harris Liu, their restaurant teams donate thousands of meals each year to local charities, shelters and those in need.  Through her work with Ronald McDonald House Charities, she has raised over a million dollars in scholarship funds to help students throughout the state. 

Prior to her career in McDonald’s, she worked as an attorney for eight years. She was elected Vice-President of the Solano County Women Lawyers Association, and served on the Yolo County Planning Commission for five years. In 2016, Mary started the nonprofit Thriving Pink which provides a network of meaningful support and resources for those impacted by breast cancer.. Mary also serves as a National Board Member for APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association), a local and national nonprofit organization, established in 2001, with 42 volunteer-driven chapters across the country dedicated to the mission to “Advance AAPI Communities Through Increased Leadership and Civic Engagement”.

Tuesday, November 15| 1:30-2:30PM

Topic: The American Dream - Burgers & More to Serve the Community

Robert Brown

Director, Bay Area Region Western States Petroleum Association

As Director, Bay Area Region for the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), Bob leads the non-profit trade association’s advocacy and regulatory efforts on behalf of the five major oil refineries in the nine-county region. He develops leadership partners, community engagement strategies, public awareness initiatives and issue analysis on behalf of the energy sector’s association. Bob’s efforts intersect at the local, state and federal level.

Tuesday, November 15| 3-4PM

Topic: Fueling Our Present and Future Energy Economy

Fueling our present and future energy economy will focus on the economic impacts of our industry and the state of our refineries and production in California - regulatory challenges and opportunities for the future.

Jeff Daley, Don Fisch and Mason Mineni

Deputy District Attorney, District Attorney Investigator, and Supervisor District Attorney Investigator

Tuesday, November 15 | 4-5PM

Topic: Dealing with Crooks and Scam Artists in the Complex World of Real Estate and Loans

Larry Stone

Assessor, County of Santa Clara

Larry Stone was first elected Assessor in 1994 and overwhelmingly re-elected seven times by the residents of Santa Clara County, which stretches north to Palo Alto, south to Gilroy, and includes San Jose, the “Capital of Silicon Valley.”  The County boasts a population of 1.9 million – greater than that of 13 states. Stone has been a financial manager on Wall Street and co-founded a successful Bay Area real estate investment and development firm.  He served 16 years as a council member and mayor of Sunnyvale, a period during which the city earned an international reputation for effectiveness and became a model for President Clinton and Vice President Gore’s efforts to reform the federal bureaucracy.

Wednesday, November 16 | 8:30AM-9:30AM

Topic: COVID-19, Silicon Valley's Economy and Prospects for Recovery: Insights from Larry Stone

Assessor Larry Stone will delve into the post-pandemic economic health of Silicon Valley. Leveraging his knowledge as Assessor and founder of a successful Bay Area real estate investment and development firm, Stone will share his thoughts on how the various real estate sectors have performed, the prospects of their future, and the implications as the Silicon Valley economy recovers.

Panelists: Michael Brooks, Timothy Brand, Karyn Johnson, Waqar Rizvi

Wednesday, November 16 | 9:30-10:30AM

An Innovative Approach to Mass Appraisal

A brief overview of San Joaquin County’s development and implementation process for their mass valuation program using machine learning for single-family residences.