Member News

Don Fleming, owner of Valencia Acura and president of the Santa Clarita Auto Dealers Association, died on Sept. 8 at age 84. Fleming, the 2004 Santa Clarita Valley Man of the Year and well known in the SCV for his philanthropy, will be honored with a Celebration of Life on Monday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m.

The service, honoring Fleming’s life, community leadership and lasting contributions to the Santa Clarita Valley, will be held at the Crossroads Community Church, 25300 Rye Canyon Road, Valencia, CA 91355.

Fleming, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, business leader and dedicated community advocate, spent nearly three decades bringing people together to strengthen local businesses, support nonprofits and advance community causes. The celebration will honor the generosity, determination and friendship that defined his life and the legacy he leaves throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

Among his many honors Fleming, with wife Cheri, was named the 2019 honoree of the College of the Canyons Foundation Silver Spur Award for Community Service.

In lieu of flowers, the Fleming family invites friends to consider a memorial gift to the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club at scvbgc.org.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley posted the following message on social media:

“As we continue to remember and honor the life of Don Fleming, we are reflecting on the incredible legacy he leaves throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.

Don and his late wife, Cheri, shared a long and meaningful history with Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley. Their generosity, leadership, and belief in giving back helped strengthen our Club and expand opportunities for local youth.
Together, Don and Cheri co-chaired our annual auction for three consecutive years during the 2000s, helping make it one of the most successful fundraising efforts in our history. Just as importantly, they opened their home, invited friends and business leaders into the Club’s circle, and used their influence throughout Santa Clarita to advocate for kids and families.

Don believed that when you make your living in a community, you have a responsibility to give something back to it. He lived that belief fully.

We are especially honored that Don’s family chose to recognize the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley as part of the way his legacy is remembered. It is a meaningful tribute to a life defined by generosity, service, and love for this community.

We remain grateful for Don’s friendship, his leadership, and the lasting difference he made for generations of young people.”

“My dad believed friendship was something you lived every day. You could see it in the way he cared for our team, welcomed customers and made time for people throughout Santa Clarita,” said Fleming’s son, Brian Fleming. “That same spirit guided his community service. He gave his time and energy because he cared about our community and wanted to make a difference. I learned so much from watching him, and carrying that spirit forward is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor him.”

Some of the most valuable lessons a parent can pass down don't come from a classroom. They come from greeting customers, closing out the register, and watching how real decisions get made when real money is on the line.

For local business owners, bringing your children into the family business can build lifelong skills, strengthen family ties, and lay the groundwork for generational wealth. Done correctly, it can also come with meaningful tax advantages.

Skills that last longer than a summer job

Children who work alongside parents and relatives gain hands-on experience they carry for life. A strong work ethic is the obvious one, but the quieter skills often matter more:

• Emotional intelligence and empathy, learned from serving customers and working with coworkers of all ages
• Communication, from explaining a product to speaking up in a team conversation
• Conflict resolution, because every business eventually has a frustrated customer or a disagreement to work through

These skills pay off in business and in every other part of life.

Pride, ownership, and a shared purpose

When children contribute to the success of the business, they start to see it as partly theirs. That sense of ownership builds appreciation and makes them more likely to invest their own time and energy in it.

It also gives the family something to build together. Shared goals, shared wins, and shared problems to solve can strengthen family bonds well beyond business hours.

A front row seat to what it takes

Generational wealth is built on more than money. It rests on values passed down: hard work, dedication, and the patience to keep showing up.

Working in the business lets children see the commitment and sacrifice behind a successful enterprise firsthand. They learn the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, along with practical lessons in leadership, communication, and decision making. Whether they one day take over the business or start their own path, that perspective stays with them.

The tax advantage

Paying your children for real work can also benefit the business. Their wages are generally deductible as a business expense, which lowers your taxable income.

There can be more on the table, depending on your situation:

• Lower tax on their earnings. Your child's earned income may be partly or fully covered by their own standard deduction.
• Payroll tax savings. In a sole proprietorship, or a partnership owned only by the parents, wages paid to a child under 18 are generally exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes.
• A head start on saving. Earned income makes your child eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, giving them decades of potential tax free growth.

The rules vary by business structure, so it pays to plan with your tax professional before adding anyone to payroll.

Doing it the right way

Involving your children in the business is a meaningful decision, and the details matter. To keep the arrangement both rewarding and defensible, make sure you have:

• A real job description that matches tasks appropriate for your child's age
• Accurate time records showing the hours actually worked
• A reasonable, market based wage comparable to what you would pay anyone else for the same work
• Proper payroll documentation, with wages paid through the business like any other employee

Let's talk about your family business

Vance Wealth helps business owners put best practices in place, from setting up documentation to coordinating with your tax professional, so the next generation can grow with confidence.

Vance Wealth, LLC is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Vance Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor's particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your attorney or tax advisor.

The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation has issued its 2026 Largest SCV Employers List. More than 32,000 people work for the organizations represented on the list, with overall reported employment increasing approximately 3% from the comparable 2025 total.

More than two dozen of the SCV’s largest private employers reported higher local headcounts, with gains spanning healthcare, logistics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and other sectors.

The top 10 largest employers in the Santa Clarita Valley for 2026 are:

1 Six Flags Magic Mountain 3,000

2 William S. Hart Union School District 2,084

3 College of the Canyons 1,909

4 Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital 1,830

5 Saugus Union School District 1,677

6 City of Santa Clarita 1,171

7 U.S. Postal Service (SCV Processing Distribution) 1,158 *

8 California Institute of the Arts 1,151

9 Newhall School District 913

10 Amazon/Whole Foods 886

* 2026 headcount unavailable; 2025 headcount assumed for 2026.

The SCVEDC analysis showed there was positive movement among private employers this year. Collectively, the largest private employers reported a net increase of 191 employees, with several companies posting notable gains.

Amazon/Whole Foods had the largest increase, adding 208 employees, a 31% increase over its 2025 headcount. Fralock followed with one of the strongest gains on the list, adding 173 employees and increasing its reported workforce by 93%.

Healthcare also delivered one of the year’s biggest employer gains. Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital added 135 employees, an 8% increase, bringing its reported workforce to 1,830.

Several other employers posted meaningful growth. ASC Process Systems added 94 employees, a 34% increase. Stay Green added 68, up 14%. DrinkPAK added another 50 employees, an 11% increase.

Several aerospace and advanced-manufacturing companies added workers as well, including Cicoil (+45), Sunvair (+41), Adept Fasteners (+30), Crissair (+18), TA Aerospace (+15) and HRD Aero Systems (+15).

The 2026 Economic Outlook estimates that its Aerospace & Defense composite sector supports approximately 1,824 workers in the Santa Clarita Valley, with an average salary of $114,342 per worker and employment at or near record levels.

Employers grouped in the survey’s public-employer category also contributed significantly to this year’s increase, collectively reporting 636 more employees than in 2025.

Saugus Union School District (+363)

Southern California Edison (+100)

College of the Canyons (+80)

Newhall School District (+56)

William S. Hart Union School District (+35)

Together, these employers provide a substantial employment foundation across education, infrastructure, utilities and public services in the SCV.

To view the complete 2026 Largest Employers list from the SCVEDC click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joe Redmond
October 09, 2026 (661) 286-4063

CITY OF SANTA CLARITA NAMED FINALIST FOR PRESTIGIOUS 2026 MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITY AWARD
City Recognized for Business Retention and Recruitment, Workforce Alignment and One-Stop Permitting

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to announce that it has been named a Large City Finalist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s (LAEDC) prestigious 2026 Most Business-Friendly City Award. The recognition highlights Santa Clarita’s continued commitment to creating an environment where businesses can start, stay, grow and invest.

Santa Clarita was selected as one of seven Large City Finalists following an independent review by LAEDC’s Blue-Ribbon Committee. The City was specifically recognized for its “integrated retention and recruitment, workforce alignment and one-stop permitting,” underscoring Santa Clarita’s comprehensive approach to economic development and its commitment to supporting businesses at every stage.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor and reflects our City’s longstanding commitment to being a true partner to our business community,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “Whether we are helping a local business expand, welcoming a new company to Santa Clarita or connecting employers with the resources and workforce they need to succeed, our goal is to make doing business in Santa Clarita as seamless as possible. We are incredibly proud to be recognized among Los Angeles County’s most business-friendly cities.”

Santa Clarita’s business-friendly approach brings together business retention and recruitment, workforce development and responsive City services to support a strong local economy. Through partnerships with businesses, educational institutions and regional organizations, the City works to connect employers with resources, attract new investment and retain the companies that already call Santa Clarita home. The City’s one-stop permitting

approach also helps businesses navigate the development process by providing coordinated assistance and a clear path forward for projects.

This award celebrates effective policies, responsive services, strong partnerships and innovative approaches to economic development, while highlighting practices that can strengthen communities throughout Los Angeles County. Fourteen cities were named finalists in 2026, with seven cities advancing in each of the Large City and Small City categories.

The 2026 Most Business-Friendly City honorees will be announced at LAEDC’s 31st Annual EDDY Awards on Wednesday, November 4. The annual event brings together leaders from business, government, education, labor and community institutions to recognize the people and organizations helping shape Los Angeles County’s economy and advance opportunity across the region.

Santa Clarita has a longstanding history of recognition for its business-friendly approach, including previous Most Business-Friendly City honors from LAEDC. The City remains committed to building on that legacy by supporting local businesses, attracting investment, creating quality jobs and fostering a strong and resilient local economy.

For more information about doing business in Santa Clarita and the City’s economic development resources, please visit ThinkSantaClarita.com.

https://bit.ly/EternamenteSCV 

For California employers, accurate timekeeping involves more than asking employees to clock in and out—especially when digital time clocks and payroll apps are involved.

As the California Supreme Court continues to consider Camp v. Home Depot, business owners and HR teams have another reason to understand what happens to employee time between the original punch and the final payroll calculation.

The central issue is straightforward: Does the time your employees record match the time they are actually being paid for?

That is the question at the heart of Camp v. Home Depot.

Home Depot used an electronic timekeeping system that recorded employees’ clock-in and clock-out times to the minute. For payroll purposes, however, the company rounded each employee’s total shift time to the nearest quarter hour. Under that system, some employees gained time and some lost time through rounding. 

Home Depot’s system recorded employees’ actual work time, but payroll used rounded time instead. The case now asks whether California employers can continue using neutral rounding when precise time records are available.

Why does that matter for employers?

Many businesses now use digital systems that can record employee time precisely. If a system captures an employee’s actual punch at 8:03 a.m., but another setting converts that time for payroll purposes, the business needs to understand exactly where that change happens and why.

In other words, employers need to understand whether their actual timekeeping technology, payroll settings, and payment practices are aligned.

For Santa Clarita business owners, this is a practical example of why compliance works best as an ongoing process. Businesses change payroll providers, adopt new software, add employees, expand locations, and update internal processes over time. As those systems evolve, employers may want to periodically confirm that the time recorded, the time processed, and the time paid are working together as intended.

In our recent article, Koegle Law Group takes a closer look at:

• What Camp v. Home Depot could mean for California employers and employee time rounding
• Why an employee’s original clock-in and clock-out records matter
• How recorded time can change between the time clock and payroll
• What employers may want to consider when reviewing timekeeping policies and practices

For employers, the bigger takeaway is simple: effective compliance means understanding not only what your policies say, but how your systems carry them out in practice.

Read the full article here: Can California Employers Round Employee Time? What Camp v. Home Depot Means for Timekeeping

At Koegle Law Group, we partner with California employers and business owners to provide practical guidance, clear communication, and proactive legal strategies designed to support informed decision-making as workplace requirements and business operations continue to evolve.

The information contained herein may not reflect the most current legal developments and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date. Nothing in this article should be construed as creating an attorney-client relationship. Employers should consult with qualified employment counsel regarding their specific circumstances before taking action based on any information contained in this article.

The short answer is yes. Absolutely.

SchlickArt creates professional headshots, corporate headshots, team photos and personal branding photography for business owners, executives and professionals throughout Santa Clarita.

A longtime client recently asked whether we still offered headshot sessions. She had seen SchlickArt expand its marketing strategy, written content, social media and video services and wondered whether photography was still part of what we do.

It is, and it remains one of the biggest parts of our business.

What makes a SchlickArt headshot session different?

Every session begins with a conversation. We want to understand what you do, where your photograph will be used and how you want people to experience you. Then we guide you through the entire session, paying attention to your wardrobe, posture and expression.

You do not need to know how to pose or find your “good side.” As Lindsay often says, “Being photogenic isn’t your job. It’s mine.”

But good direction is only part of the experience. We also want your photograph to reflect who you are right now, because a lot can change between headshots.

You may have stepped into a leadership role, built a larger team, refined your services or become more confident in the work you do. All of that is going to come across in your photography, in big and subtle ways. That's why your professional photograph should represent the person you are today, not the person you were several years ago.

The right business headshot helps you appear confident, approachable and recognizable across your website, LinkedIn profile, company biography, email signature and marketing materials.

So yes, SchlickArt still offers professional headshots in Santa Clarita. We would love to photograph the person you have become.

Read the full story and learn more about the SchlickArt headshot experience.

SchlickArt provides professional headshots, corporate headshots, team photography and personal branding photography for businesses and professionals in Santa Clarita and throughout Southern California.

Contact: Gabriela Martinez

(661) 651-0823

CITY OF SANTA CLARITA TO CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF THE RINK SPORTS PAVILION

Community Invited to Celebrate Santa Clarita’s Newest Recreation Facility on October 9

The wait is almost over! The City of Santa Clarita invites the community to celebrate the Grand Opening of The Rink Sports Pavilion on Friday, October 9, at 2:00 p.m. After years of planning and more than two years of construction, Santa Clarita’s newest recreation facility is ready to open its doors.

The celebration will begin with an official ribbon cutting led by the Santa Clarita City Council, followed by a special skating demonstration. Attendees of the ribbon cutting will also have an opportunity to explore the new facility and skate on the new rink.

“The Rink Sports Pavilion is an exciting addition to our community and a place we know families will enjoy for years to come,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “Having loved roller skating throughout my life, I am especially excited to see a new generation experience the fun and freedom of being out on the rink. This facility will provide a safe, welcoming space where kids can gather, stay active and spend time with friends, while giving residents of all ages new opportunities to connect through sports, recreation and events. Whether you are coming to roller skate, play basketball or pickleball, celebrate a birthday, attend major events or simply spend time together, The Rink will be a place where our community can have fun, connect and make lasting memories.”

Be among the first to experience The Rink by registering for opening day public skating sessions on Friday, October 9. Two public skating sessions will be available from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Opening day skate sessions are free, but advance registration is required for both sessions. Pre-registration for all October Rink skating sessions begins on Monday, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. To pre-register, visit City.SC/TheRinkSkating.

The Rink is a 25,000-square-foot facility featuring a 12,000-square-foot skating surface that can transform into a multisport arena. The facility includes three pickleball courts, one volleyball court, one basketball court and spectator seating, providing residents with even more opportunities to stay active and spend time together.

Visitors will also find a commercial kitchen, DJ booth, dining areas and one of The Rink’s signature features, its disco ball. The flexible facility will provide opportunities for roller skating, sports, programs and community gatherings.

Join the City of Santa Clarita on Friday, October 9, at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate the official opening of The Rink Sports Pavilion. For more information, visit TheRink.SantaClarita.gov, follow @TheRinkSportsPavilion on Instagram and Facebook or contact (661) 250-3797 or TheRink@santaclarita.gov.

As National Energy Awareness Month begins across the United States, Six Flags Magic Mountain, the Thrill Capital of the World, has announced that its landmark solar carport project has been fully energized.

Developed in partnership with Solar Optimum as well as local community and government officials, the 12.37-megawatt installation represents a major milestone in Six Flags’ commitment to sustainability and renewable energy.

The project is the largest solar carport installation in California and one of the largest single-site commercial solar carport projects in the United States.

Designed to offset 100 percent of the annual electricity consumption of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles, the installation demonstrates how large-scale entertainment destinations can leverage renewable energy to significantly reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining reliable operations.

“This is a transformative moment for Six Flags Magic Mountain and our sustainability journey,” said Brian Oerding, park president of Six Flags Magic Mountain. “By investing in renewable energy, we’re taking meaningful action to reduce our environmental impact while helping build a more sustainable future for our guests, team members and community. This project demonstrates what’s possible when organizations commit to innovation and responsible environmental stewardship.”

The newly energized solar energy system includes:

— 12.37-megawatt solar energy system, the largest solar carport installation in California and one of the largest single-site commercial solar carport projects in the United States.

— Approximately 637,000 square feet of solar canopy coverage.

— 22,908 RECOM 540-watt bifacial solar modules.

— 36 long-span solar carport structures.

— 2-megawatt/8-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system to improve energy reliability and efficiency.

— 109 electric vehicle charging connectors, across guest and team member parking.

— Coverage for approximately 4,315 parking spaces, providing shaded parking that helps reduce vehicle heat buildup and creates a more comfortable arrival and departure experience for guests and team members.

The installation includes:

— 3,544 guest parking spaces.

— 771 team member parking spaces.

— Generation of approximately 20.8 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually.

— Annual renewable energy production equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 2,874 homes.

— Generation of approximately 1.5 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy per ride across the park’s attractions.

The project remains interconnected with the Southern California Edison grid and is designed to offset the parks’ annual electricity consumption rather than operate as an isolated or off-grid facility. When solar production exceeds onsite demand and available battery storage capacity, excess energy may be exported through the utility interconnection. During periods when onsite generation is insufficient, the parks can draw electricity from the grid, ensuring operational reliability while maximizing the use of renewable energy.

“We are proud to celebrate the energization of this extraordinary project with Six Flags,” said Arno Aghamalian, CEO of Solar Optimum. “This system demonstrates how innovative renewable energy solutions can help organizations meet ambitious sustainability goals while delivering long-term environmental and economic benefits. Together, we’re creating a cleaner energy future for generations to come.”

The project is expected to deliver environmental benefits equivalent to:

— Eliminating more than 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

— Conserving more than 10 million gallons of water each year.

— Removing 3,182 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road.

— Eliminating 37.8 million miles driven by gasoline-powered vehicles.

— Avoiding the consumption of 34,194 barrels of oil.

— Avoiding the consumption of 1.6 million gallons of gasoline.

— Recycling 5,110 tons of waste instead of sending it to landfills.

— Preserving the carbon-capturing benefits of 17,612 acres of U.S. forests.

The energization of the system coincides with the start of National Energy Awareness Month, observed each October to promote energy efficiency, conservation and the adoption of cleaner energy technologies. Through this investment, Six Flags is advancing its sustainability objectives while setting a new benchmark for renewable energy deployment within the attractions industry.

To commemorate the energization of the project, Magic Mountain hosted a special celebration attended by community leaders, project partners and stakeholders.

Remarks highlighted the decade-long vision behind the installation, the collaboration among Six Flags, Solar Optimum, Los Angeles County, Southern California Edison and other partners, and the project’s long-term environmental and economic benefits for the region.

During the event, representatives from the Los Angeles County Office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger and the Office of Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo presented a proclamation and certificate recognizing Magic Mountain’s leadership in renewable energy and sustainability.

For more information about Six Flags Magic Mountain, visit sixflags.com/magicmountain.

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