A night with a one-time money man
- WHAT: Steve Westly speaks on “The Next Generation of Leaders”
- WHERE: Diablo Grande Winery & Resort, 9521 Morton Davis Drive
- WHEN: No-host bar and hors d’oeuvres, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; dinner and program begin at 6:30 p.m.
- COST: $85 per person or $150 per couple. Table of eight, $600. Proceeds support Democratic candidates in Stanislaus County.
- INFO: Dennis McCord, 892-6996 or Kris Santos, 894-3033, or www.cvdemocrats.org
 Steve Westly
Westly, who is now state co-chair of Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and CEO of The Westly Group, which helps entrepreneurs build clean-energy companies, will speak on the topic, “The Next Generation of Leaders.”
“(Westly’s) definitely invested in California interests and good things,” said Kris Santos, chairwoman of the Central Valley Democratic Club’s West Side Committee. “He’s a busy man.”
Westly served as state controller from 2003 to 2007 and ran for governor unsuccessfully in 2006, losing to Phil Angelides in the Democratic primary.
He also has been heavily involved in the high-tech industry over the years, becoming one of the founding executives of Internet auction company eBay in 1997. He headed up Internet service provider Netcom, was vice president of the Internet directory Who?Where?, and served as San Jose’s economic development deputy director for a time.
He now sits on the boards of Tesla, an electric car company, and Altra, a biofuels outfit, while consulting for a variety of startups.
Westly was vice chair of the California Democratic Party and served four terms as a member of the Democratic National Committee. He is now chair of the California Leadership Committee, a political action committee that aims to support future Democratic leaders. A former Stanford University faculty member and student body president, he also sits on the board of the University of California, Merced. He and his wife, Anita, run a charitable foundation focused on education, health and the environment.
As of Thursday, about 60 people from throughout Stanislaus County had signed up to attend Wednesday’s talk, Santos said. About 90 people signed up to hear former Democratic House Majority Whip Tony Coelho speak at Diablo Grande in July 2006, and Santos said there is still time for more people to attend the Westly event.
Proceeds will go to help local Democratic candidates in next year’s elections.
Santos said the West Side committee eventually might plan to have small gatherings at people’s homes where they can meet local Democratic candidates.
In the meantime, members look forward to Wednesday’s fundraiser.
“Speakers with political experience can help inspire hope,” Santos said.
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