A city with vibrant economic development growth, El Segundo annually recognizes local business leaders’ contributions to the city at the Champions of Business Celebration. This year, city and business leaders will gather to honor Michael Hackman, CEO of Hackman Capital Partners, a Los Angeles-based real estate investment and operating company with a strong foothold in El Segundo. Past honorees include Jeannie Buss, owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers (2018); Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times (2017); Richard Lundquist, president of Continental Development Corp. (2016); Federal Realty Investment Trust and The Point (2015); and the LA Kings (2014).

El Segundo is consistently one of the hottest commercial real estate markets in the region, and Hackman Capital Partners recognizes the many advantages of doing business in the city. With properties across Los Angeles in its portfolio, including CBS Television City and Manhattan Beach Studios, Hackman Capital Partners has been expanding its reach within El Segundo with the acquisition of industrial office buildings at 888 N. Douglas Street and 401 Coral Circle. Hackman Capital Partners acquired 888 N. Douglas from defense giant Northrop Grumman and plans to transform the historic aerospace site into a one-of-a-kind creative campus.

“Hackman Capital Partners’ footprint in our city is significant. The redeveloped and reimagined campus provides an incredible opportunity for a world-class company to establish or expand a presence in Southern California,” says Al Keahi, chairman of the El Segundo Economic Development Advisory Council. “Michael Hackman is deserving of the Champion of Business Award, as he shares the city’s vision of revitalization and innovation.”

Known for its roots in California’s aerospace and defense sectors, El Segundo continues to transform and evolve and has established itself as a leader in the technology, media and entertainment industries. Due to the city’s business-friendly economy and new developments and plans, including a plan in the Smoky Hollow district that welcomes everything from start- ups to creative companies to the formerly industrial area, El Segundo has positioned itself as an attractive location for business relocation and expansion.

“We have seen significant growth in our city from the impact of the local business and city leaders whom we are honoring at this year’s Champions of Business Celebration,” says El Segundo Mayor Drew Boyles. “We continue to be the most important five square miles of Southern California’s economy, thanks to the vision and contributions of our businesses community.

“We are thrilled to honor those who have made a difference in El Segundo by strengthening our economy and further establishing the legacy of El Segundo as the city where big ideas take off,” says El Segundo Deputy City Manager Barbara Voss.

In addition to the presentation of the Champion of Business Award, honorees will be announced during the event for the Big Idea Award, awarded to an exciting business or organization that is reshaping the world through their innovations, and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, awarded to an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment to business growth and leadership.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Chevron, Continental Development Corp. and NantWorks.

About EDAC
The El Segundo Economic Development Advisory Council serves as a forum for effective collaboration leading to the identification of responsible development strategies in the city. EDAC exists to provide support and guidance to city staff and advise the city council on business attraction and retention. EDAC assists with the implementation of the City of El Segundo’s Economic Development Program.

About El Segundo
El Segundo is a thriving coastal community in southwestern Los Angeles County. Recognized as the aerospace capital of the world, it is renowned for maintaining a quaint, small-town atmosphere and a vibrant economy that includes leaders in aerospace and defense, bioscience, information technology, energy, real estate, and creative media. The city has seen tremendous growth and evolution over the past several years and is home to the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Kings, Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Air Force Base. For further information regarding innovative businesses in El Segundo and destination information, please visit www.elsegundobusiness.com and www.destinationelsegundo.com.