Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackalyne Pfannenstiel

CAMARILLO, CA. - Assistant Secretary of the Navy Jackalyne Pfannenstiel will be the keynote speaker at the 4th Annual Military Business & Community Expo, April 21 at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center (5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo). In charge of energy installations and environmental issues, her topic will be "Sailing the Great Green Fleet: How Strategic Energy Use Advances Our Mission."

Assistant Secretary Pfannenstiel's message will be in keeping with the expo's overall sustainable energy theme. The Department of Navy has set a goal that by the year 2020, 50 percent of all Navy energy consumption must come from alternative sources such as biofuels, hybrid electric power systems, wind turbines, solar power and geo thermal power. The 4th Annual Military Business & Community Expo will focus on how Naval Base Ventura County is working to achieve energy success locally and how local contractors and businesses might align themselves to do business with the Navy in the years ahead.

Sponsored by Ventura County Community College District and hosted by TRIAD, VCEDA, RDP-21 and the Santa Barbara & Channel Islands Navy Leagues, the expo will feature sessions on alternative fuels, energy, reducing carbon footprints and LEED certified buildings. Other conference topics will include "How To Do Business With The Navy" and "How To Get A Job On Base."

A simultaneous free job fair will feature local employers, staffing services and Navy base employment opportunities. The job fair is designed to align potential candidates to positions open on base and throughout the community.

"The Navy base is Ventura County's largest employer with over 17,000 military and civilian personnel,” said Bill Buratto, president of VCEDA and chair of the Military Expo Planning Committee. "In addition, it supports thousands of off-base jobs. There is no doubt that the base is an integral part of our county's economy. The Navy's focus on alternative energy and sustainability complements VCEDA's efforts to establish Ventura County as a vibrant hub for green and alternative energy business."

Expo and job fair hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission to the expo and conference is $40 if purchased by April 15 and $50 at the door. Admission includes access to all exhibitors, presentations, workshops and expo continental breakfast and lunch. To register online, go to www.militarybizexpo.com. To inquire about exhibiting at the expo or job fair, contact Renee Smith, 805-969-5244, renee@rsvpevents.net.