El Segundo celebrates six years of business champions

The City of El Segundo and the El Segundo Economic Development Advisory Council hosted the sixth annual Champions of Business Celebration on September 26 at the Toyota Sports Performance Center — home of the LA Kings.

The evening’s keynote speech was given by Luc Robitaille, president of the LA Kings and hockey legend. 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 gathered 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. The Champions of Business award was presented to Michael Hackman by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, surgeon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As 2017’s honoree, Dr. Soon-Shiong presented the Champion of Business award to Hackman and recounted anecdotes of their shared journey to create big ideas and boost El Segundo’s economic landscape.

In addition to the presentation of the Champion of Business Award, the below honorees were announced during the event:

TechStyle Fashion Group - Big Idea Award, awarded to an exciting business or organization that is reshaping the world through their innovations

Melanie Stricklan, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Slingshot Aerospace - Entrepreneur of the Year Award, awarded to an individual who demonstrates outstanding commitment to business growth and leadership.