Gail Pellerin — The chair said the next question would go to Senator Colosa; likely a transcription error for a member name.
Rick Zbur — The chair welcomes Rick Zbur as a strong ally to the Armenian-American community and then invites him to ask questions or make comments, including asking whether there are any questions from him or Senator Colosa.
Artie Kosakian — Introduced as the Mayor of Glendale and a longtime public servant.
Arminet Gostian — Introduced as principal of SmartGate VC and managing director of Hero House Glendale.
Vahey Kozoian — Introduced as president and co-founder of ServiceTitan.
ServiceTitan — Praised as a major Armenian-American entrepreneurship success story.
ServiceTitan — Described as founded in Glendale in 2007 and growing because tradespeople needed technology.
Mayor Kosakian — Addressed as the next speaker.
Mayor Kosakian — Thanked for decades of service to Glendale and the Armenian-American community; praised for raising discrimination in Artsakh.
Lisa Calderon — Addressed as Assembly Member Caloza/Calderon.
Vahé Kuzoyan — Identified as co-founder of ServiceTitan and a speaker to follow.
Mr. Cazoyan — Called to speak next; name appears to be a witness or panelist.
Vahey Kuzoyen — Vahey Kuzoyen introduced himself as an immigrant from Armenia who came to California at age six, participated in an early ESL program, completed his education in California, attended USC, and there met his co-founder ARA Medesian.
ARA Medesian — Named as the witness's co-founder and a Stanford student at the time.
Armina Galstian — Armina Galstian introduced herself as an investor at SmartGate VC and co-founder/managing director of Hero House Glendale, explaining that both roles support the same mission of building a bridge between California and Armenia. She described SmartGate VC as an early-stage venture fund and Hero House Glendale as a 7,000-square-foot innovation hub launched in partnership with the State of California and the City of Glendale. She said the bridge helps create and grow tech companies, noted that Hero House now supports about 50 portfolio companies across two funds, and highlighted strong returns from early investments. She then shifted to the Armenia side of the corridor, emphasizing that the bridge works in both directions and that value, talent, and opportunity flow both ways.
Brian Jones — Addressed by the Chair as a colleague invited to ask questions or make comments.
Army Agassian — Referenced as an example of the programs and results coming from Hero House.
Ms. Galestrian — Referenced as someone whose remarks supported the point that California funding gives credibility to initiatives.
Zanku — Public commenter and Armenian National Board Member for the Armenian National Committee of America.
ANCA representative — The ANCA representative discussed the organization’s interest in establishing direct flights between the United States and Armenia, including the possibility of a U.S. carrier providing the service and the economic benefits of air travel, such as carrying passengers along the route and stimulating economic activity. The witness then broadened the point to say ANCA supports economic partnerships, but only in a principled way that reflects American values and Armenian rights, and closed by thanking the committee and reaffirming ANCA’s support for its efforts.
David Ojak — David Ojak, Western Region Director of the Armenian Assembly of America, introduced himself, thanked the committee for launching the select committee, and said the Armenian Assembly looks forward to working with the committee and Armenian Caucus to advance pro-Armenian advocacy and strengthen economic and cultural ties between California and Armenia.
John Harabedian — John Harabedian is introduced and acknowledged in a warm exchange about his role as chair and as the only Armenian-American in the state legislature. The remarks praise his leadership, note the Armenian community’s pride in seeing him in the Assembly, and reference the Select Committee on California and Armenia Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange.
John Harabedian — John Harabedian thanks the Lieutenant Governor and transitions to introducing the Consul General, who then acknowledges him at the start of her remarks.
John Harabedian — Praised for leadership in elevating California's voice.
John Harabedian — The speaker opens by addressing John Harabedian as chairman/chair and thanking him, along with the members of the committee/legislature, as part of the same introductory remarks.
John Harabedian — John Harabedian is thanked for his leadership and speaking out on the issue, and the discussion continues with a direct appeal to him and the Legislature to partner with Glendale on related initiatives.
John Harabedian — Thanked as chair for convening the hearing.
Jessica Caloza — The chair introduces Assemblymember Jessica Caloza and invites her to give opening remarks. Caloza then introduces herself as the Assemblymember for District 52, notes the communities she represents, and thanks the chair while welcoming attendees. Shortly afterward, another speaker briefly addresses her by name in remarks, reinforcing her presence in the opening exchange.
Jessica Caloza — The chair compares Schultz's role to Senator Caloza and says she also represents Glendale and is a vice chair of the Armenian caucus.
H.E. Narek Mkrtchyan — The ambassador is introduced to provide brief video remarks.
Ms. Utterback — Identified as the GoBiz trade representative for Europe who will speak shortly about doing business with California.
Ms. Utterback — Thanked for her presentation.
American University of Armenia — Cited as a key academic institution in the California-Armenia relationship.
University of California — Described as having directly assisted in founding the American University of Armenia.
Nick Schultz — The chair welcomes Assemblymember Nick Schultz, noting that he represents Glendale and serves as vice chair of the Armenian caucus. He is further praised as a great partner and ally of the Armenian community, with thanks for his presence.
Nick Schultz — Assembly Member Schultz was introduced to begin questioning, opened by thanking the chair for his leadership and the caucus’s progress, and then continued into the question-and-answer exchange, during which the consul general and speaker addressed him directly in response.
Nick Schultz — Possibly the legislator representing ServiceTitan; likely refers to Nick Schultz.
Trisha Utterback — Trisha Utterback introduced herself as the trade and investment representative covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.
Trisha Utterback — Her presentation and the engagements/support she described were recognized.
Christina Kiven — Named as the former U.S. ambassador to Armenia whom Go-Biz met with at the 2025 summit.
Former U.S. ambassador to Armenia — Led the Armenian delegation to SelectUSA and helped connect Go-Biz with Armenian businesses interested in California.