VICA taps Ruben Gonzalez as next president and chief advocacy officer

The Valley Industry & Commerce Association has named Ruben Gonzalez as its next president and chief advocacy officer after a board-led search. Gonzalez will take over on Sept. 21 and is expected to expand VICA’s advocacy, membership and regional influence across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.

Why it matters: - Ruben Gonzalez is set to shape VICA’s next phase of lobbying and business engagement in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. - The role carries responsibility for advocacy, membership growth and the organization’s broader policy influence. - VICA also plans to use Gonzalez to strengthen the reach of the VICA PAC and sharpen the focus of the VICA foundation on workforce, housing and other quality-of-life issues.

What happened: - The Valley Industry & Commerce Association announced Gonzalez as its next president and chief advocacy officer after a comprehensive search. - Gonzalez will officially assume the role on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. - Gonzalez will succeed Stuart Waldman. - VICA said the board-led search selected Gonzalez for his experience in public policy, government affairs, advocacy and business engagement.

The details: - Gonzalez will lead VICA’s advocacy agenda and work to deepen relationships with policymakers and business leaders. - VICA expects Gonzalez to grow membership, resources, influence and impact. - He will work with the board, members, staff and community partners on policies meant to strengthen the regional economy, support job creation and improve the business climate. - VICA Board Chair Jim Thiering said Gonzalez showed the advocacy experience, relationships, strategic thinking and leadership the organization wanted. - Thiering said Gonzalez demonstrated a clear vision for VICA’s future and a commitment to making sure the business community’s voice is heard at every level of government. - Gonzalez said he is honored to lead VICA and build on the organization’s history of advocacy for the business community. - Gonzalez said businesses across Los Angeles face an important moment and that he wants to strengthen advocacy so employers have a stronger voice in regional decisions.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals VICA’s intent to keep business-policy influence central as the region faces pressure around jobs, housing and economic competitiveness. - The emphasis on the PAC and foundation suggests VICA wants to pair political reach with issue-specific policy work. - The board’s framing points to a search for a leader who can combine external relationships with internal growth.

What's next: - Gonzalez will begin work Sept. 21 and take over VICA’s day-to-day advocacy leadership. - VICA is expected to move ahead with membership growth, expanded policy outreach and a stronger focus on regional business issues. - The organization will likely push its agenda through policymakers, the PAC and the foundation as Gonzalez settles into the role.