Wes Davis is an artist and photographer based in Northern California. After completing a degree in photography from Sacramento State, he spent 12 years directing an art gallery and managing a mixed-use photography studio. His portfolio is available online at www.wesdavisphotography.com and you can follow him on Instagram at @wesdavisphotography.
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Startup Revolution
The Capital Region’s emerging startup community is attracting big investments
Since 2020, the global economy has been mired in uncertainty. On Oct. 5, 2023, investors and entrepreneurs convened at the Roebbelen Center @The Grounds in Roseville to address certain questions regarding business in the Capital Region.

The Way We Work: Jessup University President Dr. John Jackson
A glimpse into the daily life of the pastor and Christian university leader
Dr. John Jackson grew up as a pastor’s kid, but he didn’t see that as his calling. “I told God in my own way, ‘I’ll do anything you want, except I’ll never be a missionary, and I’ll never be a pastor,’” says Jackson. So of course he became a pastor.

Stolen Business
Sacramento-area businesses grapple with retail theft
Vanessa Van Vleck keeps a wall of shame at Superbum Plant Company, identifying people suspected of stealing from her East Sacramento store. It’s one of the few things Van Vleck and her husband, Dylan Van Vleck, who opened their business in 2021, can do to deal with a burgeoning problem in California.

The Way We Work: Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester
A glimpse into the daily life of Sacramento’s first female police chief
It’s a job just like any other job, except with responsibility for the safety of an entire city. No pressure. When Kathy Lester was sworn in as chief of the Sacramento Police Department in December 2021, she joined a new executive team with fresh eyes, and they surveyed the many challenges.

The Way We Work: Stoel Rives Managing Partner Melissa Jones
A glimpse into the daily life of the law firm managing partner
When you’re the managing partner of a blue chip law firm it’s kind of like being a CEO, but in some ways it’s far more complex. Just ask Melissa Jones, managing partner at Stoel Rives, a firm known for its expertise in renewable energy and natural resources.

The Way We Work: Michael Hargis
A glimpse into the daily life of restaurateur and entrepreneur Michael Hargis
Michael Hargis has always been entrepreneurial; as a fifth-grader he sold condoms to the upperclassmen. He would later produce parties, raves and music events like Sacramento’s 2012 Electronic Dance Festival. Then came food.

The Way We Work: Congresswoman Doris Matsui
A glimpse into the daily life of Congresswoman Doris Matsui
Think CEOs have crazy schedules? Try being a member of Congress. The most carefully planned itinerary can be scrambled — or even scuttled — thanks to a call from the White House, an emergency vote, or urgent negotiations across the aisle. “We have to be flexible, and everyone else has to be flexible. That’s what’s different from being a CEO and running a company,” says Congresswoman Doris Matsui.

Gen Z to the Moon
The youngest investors take a novel approach
Eric Lam didn’t care for college. In 2018, as a freshman at UC Davis studying managerial economics, he decided to drop out. “I knew I wanted to do something in business, and I knew that I could probably learn that off YouTube,” says Lam. A friend suggested real estate.

The Way We Work: Kelly Brothers
A glimpse into the daily life of financial advisor and TV and radio business reporter Kelly Brothers
For over 15 years, Sacramento has turned to Kelly Brothers for making sense of Wall Street and the economy, where he serves as a frequent contributor to KCRA-TV and News Radio KFBK. But that’s only part of his story.

That’s Show Business
The complex economy behind the Capital Region’s thriving local theater scene
COVID-19 exposed the stark realities of the precarious economic state of the theater industry, but even regular theatergoers may not look past the glamour and drama of live theater to the grit, sweat and dollars that go into it.

The Way We Work: Robert S. Nelsen
A glimpse into the daily life of Sacramento State President Robert S. Nelsen
Fire engines, medical calls, protests, academic policy, a $400 million budget, COVID-19 challenges, donor relations — this is all in a day’s work for the president of a 33,000-student and 2,000-faculty university.

The Way We Work: Jeanne Reaves
A glimpse into the daily life of Jeanne Reaves, president and CEO of Jeanne Reaves Consulting
Jeanne Reaves works with CEOs on both personal growth and operational improvements. Her secret for pulling it off? She’s been in their shoes.

Women Who Represent
More women are running for office and getting elected
The most recent election for West Sacramento City Council has marked a move toward equity — particularly when it comes to female representation. For the first time in history, West Sacramento has an all-female city council and mayor, who are also all women of color.

The Way We Work: Stan Van Vleck
A glimpse into the daily life of Stan Van Vleck, attorney and owner of Van Vleck Ranch
Stan Van Vleck is head of the 12,000 acre Van Vleck ranch, a family business that dates back to 1856.

The Way We Work: Ken Endelman
A glimpse into the daily life of Ken Endelman, founder and CEO of Balanced Body
Ken Endelman, who began his career as a furniture designer, never expected to become the CEO of the largest Pilates manufacturer in the world. Here’s how he tackles his day.

Recession? What Recession?
Business leaders and economists think the Capital Region will do just fine through at least the first half of this year
Business economists are reporting several warning signs about the national economy. But on a local level, things are looking up. We consider all the factors that will help the Capital Region be able to ride out a recession.

The Way We Work: Cindy Nichol
A glimpse into the daily life of Cindy Nichol, director of airports for Sacramento County
Many business leaders say they’re busy “putting out fires.” For Cindy Nichol this is not a metaphor.

The Way We Work: Jeff Richardson
A glimpse into the daily life of Jeff Richardson, senior general manager of the Westfield Galleria at Roseville
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

The Way We Work: Mark Jansen
A glimpse into the daily life of Blue Diamond CEO Mark Jansen
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

Still Flying
The Sacramento region isn’t the aerospace hub it once was, but local companies are still doing cool things
California’s aerospace, aviation and defense industries support
more than 511,000 high-paying jobs and generate more than $66
billion in annual economic activity, larger than the agriculture
and entertainment industry combined. We checked in with industry
players in the Capital Region.

The Way We Work: Cassandra Pye
A glimpse into the daily life of Lucas Public Affairs President Cassandra Pye
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

The Way We Work: Mark Haney
A glimpse into the daily life of HaneyBiz CEO and podcast host Mark Haney
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

The Seeds of Conflict
How the Russian invasion of Ukraine and drought are affecting sunflower farmers in Yolo County
Yolo County’s most photogenic crop is facing a barrage of challenges, including supply issues related to the war in Ukraine, global currency volatility and drought.

The Way We Work: Jeff Randle
A glimpse into the daily life of Randle Communications President and CEO Jeff Randle
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

Call to Interaction
To reach young consumers, advertisers think outside the checkbox
Savvy advertising won’t help a business if its core values aren’t
consistent on every level. In today’s marketing landscape,
authentic messaging aimed toward building trust and
engagement is critical.

Safeguarding Sacramento’s Historic Architecture
Architects, preservationists and historians work together to adaptively reuse Sacramento’s historic resources
Preservation projects are being embraced in the Capital
Region in an effort to preserve history and protect the
environment.

The Way We Work: Doug Bergman
A glimpse into the daily life of UCP of Sacramento and Northern California CEO Doug Bergman
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

After the Blaze
Climate change creates challenging conditions for California wineries
Winemakers are challenged with the consistent threat
of wildfires and their aftermath, plus drought
conditions and complex water realities.

The Way We Work: Lial Jones
A glimpse into the daily life of Crocker Art Museum CEO Lial Jones
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

Chain Game
Capital Region residents and businesses feel the impact as construction industries continue to grapple with supply chain issues
Although the hot housing marketing has made it a great
time to be a builder in California, it’s also uniquely
challenging as supply chain issues create pricing
volatility, delays and decreased margins.

Work It: Evan Schmidt
A glimpse into the daily life of Valley Vision CEO Evan Schmidt
Each issue, we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region, providing insight into how they get things done.

Work It: Dr. Janine Bera
A glimpse into the daily life of the WellSpace Health chief medical officer
As an extrovert, Dr. Janine Bera thrives on connection to her team and caring for her patients. Here’s how the chief medical officer of WellSpace Health structures her days.

Recruiting California’s Next Generation of Farmers
Organizations in the Capital Region provide aspiring farmers with the business tools they need to succeed
Local food may be the future, but many Northern
California farmers are struggling
or retiring. To brighten the future of farming,
nonprofits are cultivating a new crop of agrarian
dreamers with comprehensive farming programs.

Work It: Cassandra Lichnock
A glimpse into the daily life of the California State Teachers’ Retirement System’s CEO
From deep analysis in the morning to the occasional hike in the evening, here’s how Cassandra Lichnock structures her days as CEO of CalSTRS.

It’s Complicated
Business experts express optimism and concern over the Capital Region’s 2022 economic outlook
After a once-in-a-century pandemic, what happens next? The
Capital Region’s economic experts weigh in.

The Way We Work: Barry Broome
A glimpse into the daily life of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council’s president and CEO
From posing in hot yoga class to pitching new business, here’s how Barry Broome structures his days as CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.

The Way We Work: Kelley Cowan
A glimpse into the daily life of Kelley Cowan, director of the Sacramento Region for XL Construction
In The Way We Work, we track the routines of local executives. Here’s how Kelley Cowan oversees multiple construction projects.

Sweetening the Pot
Tribal casinos in the Capital Region have major construction projects underway
Amid the ongoing pandemic, several tribes in the Capital Region
are either building new casinos or undertaking significant
expansions of existing operations.

The Way We Work: Gary S. May
A glimpse into the daily life of the UC Davis chancellor
In The Way We Work, we track the routines of local executives. Here’s how UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May runs a campus of 39,000 students.

How the Port of Stockton Connects the Central Valley to the World
Kirk DeJesus, the new director of the Port of Stockton, is aware that most people, even neighbors in the Bay Area and the Capital Region, don’t know anything about his deepwater port.

How the City Faced a Pandemic While Continuing to Grow
During her tenure as Sacramento councilwoman and mayor pro tempore, Angelique Ashby has played a role in some major developments for the city.

Sports, Arts and Entertainment Reemerge in the Capital Region
The regional business of entertainment, arts and sports is reemerging with new structures and outlooks in place.

How California Is Managing Its Water Supply
Jessica Law became executive director of the Water Forum in January. Comstock’s spoke to Law about the group’s priorities as the region deals with another drought.

New Life for Iconic Sacramento Spaces That Closed During the Pandemic
A new generation of entrepreneurs is bringing fresh concepts to restaurant and bar spaces that shuttered in 2020.

How to Tell the Story of Sacramento
Comstock’s spoke to Visit Sacramento Brand and Community Engagement Director Karlee Cemo-McIntosh about how the organization has taken advantage of new opportunities over the past year.

A Blend for Success
Wineries in the Capital Region have added an array of amenities to keep oenophiles closer to home
With daytrip-worthy destinations in the Capital Region, wine enthusiasts no longer need to pay the higher prices and drive to Napa to get a world-class winery experience.

Feeling the Need to Still Help
The Next Chapter: Steve Ramirez, former board chair for Ronald McDonald House Charities, considers his options
For more than three decades, the Ronald McDonald House Charities
and the McDonald’s Corporation helped to define Ramirez, who
became a franchisee in Galt in 1988.

Still Swinging Away
The Next Chapter: After a long baseball career, Greg Vaughn has been flexing his entrepreneurial spirit and giving back
After 15 years as a Major League Baseball player for five teams,
Greg Vaughn now focuses on Vaughn’s Valley Foundation.

A New Mission
The Next Chapter: Former VSP CEO Roger Valine talks about his family, the community and business
Roger Valine joined VSP in 1973 and worked his way up from being
a management trainee to become the driving force as the CEO of
the Rancho Cordova company.

Game of Skill
The Next Chapter: Mark Otero uses his gaming background in algorithms to program his quant hedge fund
In December 2019, a few months before the fastest drop in global
stock markets in financial history, Mark Otero launched Alice
Capital, a hedge fund designed to bypass emotion.