Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia Endorses Joe Biden

Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate John Biden visited Long Beach on Thursday, where he toured the site of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project together with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. The same day, Garcia issued a statement endorsing Biden’s campaign for president. “I’m honored to endorse Joe Biden for President,” Garcia said in his statement. “As the Mayor of a growing, vibrant and diverse city, Donald Trump’s reckless attacks on immigrants, health care, and the LGBTQ community are deeply personal. Joe is a candidate that has both the experience and the ability to build a broad-based coalition needed to beat Donald Trump — not just here in California, but across the country.”

Long Beach Accounting And Advisory Firm Windes Merges With Smith, Linden & Basso

Two major California-based accounting and financial advisory firms announced their merger this week. Orange County firm Smith, Linden & Basso (SLB) has merged with Long Beach-based Windes, the company announced on Tuesday. The combined firms will practice under the moniker of the latter. SLB has been in business for over 48 years, providing audit and assurance, tax, accounting and consulting services to middle-market businesses and their owners, according to a press release. The combined firm now has 180 employees who will operate out of offices in Irvine, Long Beach and Los Angeles, following the merger. For Windes, the union represents another step toward growing the firm’s Orange County footprint, Managing Partner John Di Carlo explained. “We continue to successfully grow our Orange County practice organically and by merger,” Di Carlo noted. “ The SLB merger gives us the opportunity to further improve our competitive position, particularly to grow our already well-established real estate, manufacturing, and estate and trust practices.”

The Boeing Company Donates To STEM Program For Young Girls

The Boeing Company this week announced a $125,000 donation to Girls Inc. of Orange County, an affiliate of the national nonprofit, “whose mission is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.” The multinational aerospace company once produced cargo planes in Long Beach and currently still maintains an office near Long Beach Airport. The donation will fund the nonprofit’s BoldBots Program, which encourages young girls to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). “We have observed that starting early and giving girls exposure to STEM fields is critical to getting more women in the STEM pipeline and into STEM careers,” Lucy Santana, CEO of the Costa Mesa-based nonprofit, said in a press release. “Thanks to The Boeing Company and the BoldBots Program, our girls will have the rare, hands-on opportunity to explore avenues in the STEM field, opening many doors for them down the road.” The program will serve 500 elementary, middle and high school girls throughout Orange County.