Placer Business Alliance

08/18/2026

We were deeply saddened to learn of former Rocklin Mayor and Councilmember Peter Hill's passing over the weekend. Hill was a beloved elected and community leader whose vision for Rocklin is realized today in the many families and businesses who call Rocklin home. Hill was also a friend and mentor to many of our Board Members, partners and supporters. He will be deeply missed and our hearts are with his family. To learn more about Hill's significant contributions to Rocklin and Placer County, please read the City of Rocklin's commemorative news release:

The City of Rocklin mourns the passing of former Mayor and longtime City Councilmember Peter Hill, whose decades of public service helped guide Rocklin through a period of significant growth and shape

06/30/2026

We are deeply saddened to learn the news of former Auburn Councilmember Mike Holmes' passing over the weekend. Mike's love of Placer County and enthusiasm for our history was central to his service. We are grateful for his dedication to our Country, and our County.

The City of Auburn is deeply saddened by the passing of former City Council Member and Mayor John M. “Mike” Holmes, a respected leader whose decades of service to his country and community left a lasting legacy. Council Member Holmes passed away at home on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

Mr. Holmes served the United States Navy with distinction, retiring as a Captain after a career that included deployments to Vietnam and Taiwan. His military service was recognized with numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit Award, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Following his military career, Council Member Holmes continued a life of service through his professional work and extensive civic involvement. He was elected to the Auburn City Council in 2002, 2006, 2010 and then again in 2022, and he served as Mayor in 2005 and 2008. He was a dedicated advocate for Auburn’s history, character, and future.

During his time in public office, Council Member Holmes worked to strengthen Auburn’s connections throughout the region and beyond while supporting efforts to preserve the community’s unique heritage. His commitment to Auburn extended well beyond City Hall through his involvement in numerous community organizations and service initiatives.

“Mike Holmes dedicated his life to service — first to our nation, and then to the Auburn community he cared so deeply about,” Mayor Kelley Davis said. “His leadership, wisdom, and commitment to preserving what makes Auburn special was integral to shaping our City. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”
The City Council will discuss how to fill the vacancy created by Council Member Holmes’ passing at its July 13 City Council meeting.

The City of Auburn extends its heartfelt condolences to the Holmes family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know and serve alongside Mike. The City is grateful for his extraordinary contributions and the enduring impact of his leadership and service.

06/24/2026

Congratulations to PBA DC Supporter and Partner SMUD on the selection of its new CEO & General Manager Lora Anguay!

We’re excited to announce that the SMUD Board of Directors has named Lora Anguay as our next Chief Executive Officer & General Manager (CEO & GM), effective Aug. 2. Lora currently serves as SMUD’s Chief Zero Carbon Officer and brings more than 2 decades of leadership and deep utility expertise to the CEO & GM role.

Lora’s a passionate community leader with a strong track record of advancing sustainability, reliability, innovation and affordability for the communities we serve.

Lora’s vision, expertise and dedication to our employees, customers and community will drive SMUD’s transition to a zero-carbon energy future, ensuring we scale sustainably, drive regional economic development and provide safe, reliable power while maintaining our commitment to affordable rates.

Please join us in congratulating Lora! bit.ly/SMUDNewCEO

06/15/2026

We are delighted to announce City of Auburn, California - City Hall Council Member Alice Dowdin Calvillo and Sierra College President W***y Duncan as the Co-Chairs for DC Summit 2026. Dowdin Calvillo and Duncan have been enthusiastic supporters of Placer Business Alliance, and the DC Summit.

Both are exemplary leaders deeply committed to Placer County. Dowdin Calvillo and Duncan possess an understanding - in theory and practice - of what it means to "lean into local" while collaborating with regional partners around business-friendly policies that preserve and improve our quality of life.

We are excited they will be joining us in DC in these roles

06/02/2026

Placer Business Alliance is a proud partner and collaborator for the third annual Sierra College Workforce Summit. Sierra College has positioned itself as the regional leader readying students for careers in the fields of Allied Health, Cybersecurity, Construction, Applied Technology and more. The annual student-driven economic impact comes in at $502.6 million. There were 19,587 students enrolled at Sierra College in Academic Year 25-26, with 5,428 degrees and certificates awarded. There are 23 CTE programs of study, 36 CTE degree offerings and over 350 employer partners. Much of the quality of life Placer communities enjoy begins at Sierra College.

Dedicated to helping Placer County, its citizens, businesses and visitors enjoy the beauty and everything that makes Placer County home.

05/28/2026

Great day at the Placer Valley 2026 annual event at At The Grounds. Collaboration, enthusiasm and excitement filled the space at the Roebbelen Center. We were fortunate enough to run into Vandy, Vandy Warhol, PBA founding supporter Taylor Builders, LLC Placer One mobile unit.

Vandy can be spied all over town delivering the Placer One details. Comprised of wonderful residential communities, innovation hubs, the public safety training center, Sacramento State Placer Campus and more, Placer One is a vibrant new community benefiting all of Placer County and beyond!

05/19/2026

It was so exciting having 40 Acre Conservation League in town last week for the Visit Placer Summit and the exclusive PBA Tour of Gateway Park!

40 Acre is the first Black-led conservation organization in the Country. With nearly $20 million from the State of California it has made a serious investment in Placer County with the purchase of nearly 700 acres. While the organization and Conservation Corps have made great strides in fuel reduction and reforestation efforts, its plans for Gateway Park - an application currently with the County - are truly exciting! https://gatewayparktahoe.org/

As discussed at the Visit Placer Summit, destination stewardship is paramount. Caring for our natural assets is just as important as economic generation. Tourism in Placer County, annually, generates $137 million in state and local taxes. This is funding for our local police, fire, parks, and libraries. We're so grateful for the investment in our County.

05/12/2026

Congratulations to PBA Supporter Sutter Health and PBA Partner Sierra College. An incredible gift to our Community's college that provides training for well-paying jobs right here in Placer County.

The gift expands Sierra College’s allied health programs offering associate degrees, certificates of achievement and skills certificates in registered nursing, surgical technology, behavioral technician training, phlebotomy, EMT, paramedic studies and medical assisting.

At full build-out, anticipated in spring 2028, Sierra College’s Allied Health Training Center is expected to serve as a regional hub for healthcare workforce training.

Sutter Health investing $2 million in Sierra College healthcare programs

04/22/2026

ICYMI - A very exciting day for many of our Founding Supporters and Partners including Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Taylor Builders, LLC, Sierra College, Placer County Government and Sacramento State at the Momentum Substation Groundbreaking. Momentum Substation represents an important chapter in our County's story.

Just as our County, today, enjoys critical infrastructure investments in water that were made 75 years ago by collaborative forward-thinking leaders, Momentum Substation will literally power all planned and future development between Highway 65 and Highway 99 for years to come. This includes Placer One, the Sac State Placer Campus, the Public Safety Training Center, the Forensic Crime Lab, residential communities and more.

It takes many stakeholders working together to bring something like this to fruition. Collaboration doesn't always mean you'll agree; but it does mean you're committed to understanding diverse perspectives and moving forward for the greater good to achieve an incredible outcome.

A truly exciting day for our County. Thank you to all of the elected, business and community leaders that came out to share in this special moment!

04/21/2026

We hope you can join the PBA Candidate PAC on 5/5/26!