Former Pasadena Mayor Honored by Singpoli Group

Bill Bogaard’s support of innovation and economic development throughout the City of Pasadena has been invaluable. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News

Business leaders gathered for Innovate Pasadena Leadership Circle event

By Staff

Former Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard was honored by real estate investment and services firm Singpoli Group with a plaque recognizing Bogaard’s support of innovation and economic development throughout the City of Pasadena at the firm’s Hotel Constance during a private event held by Innovate Pasadena on the evening of Sept. 13.

More than 150 people were in attendance at the exclusive, invitation-only event, including local business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors who support Innovate Pasadena’s efforts to create a vibrant ecosystem of technology, design, and innovation in the greater Pasadena region. The event was hosted by Innovate Pasadena to engage current and prospective members of the organization’s Leadership Circle, comprised of individuals whose philanthropic commitment to Innovate Pasadena fuels a wide array of programming focused on knowledge sharing, regional promotion and community building.

The reception was held at the recently expanded Hotel Constance on the third-floor terrace, which features lounge seating, a sparkling swimming pool and stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountains. Executive Chef Claud Beltran presided over hors d’oeuvres, a carving station, dinner buffet, and full bar.

Formal remarks were kicked off by Mark Breitenberg, vice president of Innovate Pasadena, in a meeting room located adjacent to the terrace. Breitenberg introduced Leadership Circle member Kin Hui, chairman of the Singpoli Group, who has led the company in the acquisition, development and management of Southern California commercial properties since 1991—including the Hotel Constance, which opened in 2014.

Hui was joined by Singpoli Managing Director Craig Colbath to present Bogaard with a plaque and announce that a new meeting room in the hotel would be named The Mayor Bill Bogaard Room. Bogaard—who was still in office when Singpoli first proposed transforming the historic Pasadena Manor into a boutique hotel—accepted the plaque and spoke about both Singpoli and Innovate Pasadena’s Leadership Circle, of which he is a founding member.

One interesting story that emerged during the program included mention of Singpoli’s award-winning float in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade. The float, “Rising Above,” was the first-ever entry to incorporate Augmented Reality (AR)—a feature designed by Pasadena-based digital experience firm Interactivism. It was a collaboration made possible, according to Hui, when principals at both companies met at an Innovate Pasadena function.

Additional speakers included Steve Brockmeyer, president and CEO of Bolton & Company; Iain Whyte, chairman and managing partner of Pasadena Private Wealth; and Beth Kuchar, president of Innovate Pasadena and co-founder of digital product agency Enbroaden.