Leader to End Tenure on Business Panel

Businessman Russ Goodenough will end his two-year tenure as chairman of the Mayor’s Business Roundtable in Thousand Oaks next week.

Goodenough, owner of equipment rental company Cal-U-Rent, said he is proudest of the work the round table has done on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. “The boulevard was not planned nearly as well as the rest of the city,” he said.

The round table has attacked problems such as insufficient parking and the need for pedestrian walkways, Goodenough said, but the gains have been slow in coming.

“Nobody has really seen much improvement yet,” he said, “but they will.”

The 4-year-old panel is dedicated to bringing government closer to business interests.

Goodenough attributed his success to cooperation with the city.

“They’ve really given us a lot of support,” he said.

Although he will step down Tuesday, Goodenough is not leaving his ambitions behind.

“It has been my dream to eventually be able to create Golden Oak Park on Fireworks Hill,” he said, adding that he plans to continue working with the panel.

Incoming Chairman Mario Diaz praised Goodenough’s efforts.

“His inspired leadership has opened the channel of communication between the business community and city government,” Diaz said. “Russ has been an exemplary chair.”

The Mayor’s Business Roundtable will hold its next meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Call 449-2121 for reservations or more information.