SHERMAN OAKS, CA — The Valley Industry & Commerce Association (VICA) announces the inductees for its Fourth Annual San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include Clay Lacy Aviation, Gene Autry (pictured right), Facey Medical Group, Sierra Canyon School and the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
“The San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame continues to induct remarkable organizations and individuals who have left a lasting impression on our Valley,” said VICA Chair Daymond Rice. “This year’s distinguished inductees have significantly contributed to the Valley’s unique culture and economy. The Hall of Fame provides us with an opportunity to celebrate their outstanding achievements and thank them for helping to make the Valley the vibrant community it is today.”
Founded in 1968 as the first executive jet charter service in the western United States, Clay Lacy Aviation soon became known as “Hollywood’s Private Airline.” Today, Clay Lacy Aviation operates 45 aircraft, including two Legacy 600s, out of its fixed-base facilities at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, and Boeing Field in Seattle. The company also has operations in Orange County; Denver; West Palm Beach, Fla. and Hartford, Conn. Founder and President Clay Lacy has personally flown 2,500 air-to-air photo flights for commercials, television, and feature films, including Top Gun and The Right Stuff.
Raised in Texas and Oklahoma, Gene Autry’s (1907-1998) successful recording and radio career led to 640 songs recorded, 93 feature films and 91 episodes of The Gene Autry Television Show. In 1988, he opened the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum and in 2004 it merged with the Southwest Museum to become the Autry Nation Center. A long-time Valley resident, entertainer, producer, business man and owner of the Angels baseball club, Autry remains a local and international legend and the only person with five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Facey Medical Group offices can be found throughout the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys, and have been part of Southern California communities for more than 85 years. Dr. Frederick Facey began practicing medicine in the San Fernando Valley in 1923. What started as a little storefront practice became a career spanning 33 years of practicing medicine, ultimately resulting in what is now Facey Medical Group.
Sierra Canyon School has been educating and challenging students to achieve their highest goals, since 1978. Today, Sierra Canyon is the educational home to more than 900 students from early kindergarten through 12th grade. The origins of Sierra Canyon can be traced to 1972, when founders Mick Horwitz and Howard Wang established the Sierra Canyon Day Camp, a highly successful proprietary endeavor that became the impetus for starting a school.
Recently transformed by a $30 million renovation, the Sheraton Universal Hotel offers guests luxury accommodations and easy access to many of Southern California’s most notable attractions. This year, the Sheraton is celebrating its 40 years of hosting business events, providing rooms for tourists and creating jobs for hundreds of Valley residents.
The inductees will be recognized at VICA’s Business Hall of Fame Dinner on June 9 (6-9:30 p.m.) at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal Hollywood Drive, Universal City. For more information call, 818.817.0545 or visit www.vica.com to register.
The San Fernando Valley Business Hall of Fame was created by VICA in 2008 to recognize significant contributions to the Valley community. Inductees include individuals, businesses and other community organizations that have been responsible for the continued success, economic vitality and culture of the San Fernando Valley. Past inductees include Anheuser-Busch, Porto’s Bakery, The Walt Disney Company and the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn.