The Southern California Manufacturing Council (SCMC) hosted its third meeting of the year at the HQE Systems Inc. offices in Temecula. HQE Systems is a veteran-owned manufacturing business that provides clients with holistic state-of-the-art life electric security technologies to help them detect alerts and communicate critical information during emergencies.

Our guest speakers were Edward Guevara, HQE Field Engineer, and Nick Ellis, Director of Engineering. Both Marine Corps veterans, discussed their experience with the DOD Skill Bridge program and how other manufacturers can use and benefit from the program and its skilled workers. The DOD SkillBridge program offers businesses a unique chance to leverage the expertise of transitioning service members through tailored industry training and internships, enriching their workforce during the service members' final 180 days of service. Benefit from a collaboration with the DOD SkillBridge initiative, which links your company with skilled veterans ready to apply their military-acquired talents in the civilian sector, providing you with seasoned professionals eager to transition.

The SCMC had the pleasure of recognizing Mr. Qais Alkurdi for winning this year’s John K Lopez Award presented by CALVET. The John K. Lopez Award is awarded to a California veteran who has gone over and beyond to support the California veteran community and has made an exceptional impact on our communities. This award recognition is based on Mr. Alkurdi's dedication to helping the California veteran community. In addition, CALVET has recognized that Mr. Alkurdi is at the center of much of the innovative life-saving technology that is being installed all around the state. Mr. Alkurdi has led the development of innovative life-saving mass notification technology that is now manufactured in Temecula for other California communities and organizations such as the Town of Paradise, City of Rolling Hills, Tuolumne County, San Pasqual Reservation, Camp Pendleton, San Diego Naval Bases, March Air Base, Channel Islands, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Long Beach Memorial, and many more locations.

The City of Temecula’s Mayor James Stewart was in attendance to report on any upcoming City events and freeway construction updates. Jenni Huter and Tim Dignan from the Temecula Valley Unified School District gave an update on the CTE (Career Technical Education) Summer Internship Program. Please see the link below for information on the CTE program or if your business would like to participate. Our meeting ended with a tour of the two HQE buildings where the council was able to get an up-close look at the tools and stations where their products are assembled and shipped out.

If your manufacturing business would like to participate in the CTE summer internship, please click the link here to fill out the form: Student Internships - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COALITION (edcswca.com). Please contact Jenni Huter for further questions on participating at jhuter@tvusd.us.

For more information on the DOD SkillBridge program, please contact Desiree Carr, Administrative Director for HQE Systems at Desiree.Carr@HQESystems.com.