Annual Installation Dinner Huge Success
ANNUAL INSTALLATION DINNER HUGE SUCCESS
New Chamber Board President Installed, Business Members Honored
We would like to thank everyone who joined us in celebrating our 2010 Annual Installation of Officers and Directors Awards Dinner & Silent Auction last Thursday, February 25 at Steven’s Steak & Seafood House.
Each and everyone is a contributing factor to the success of the Commerce Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce’s present and future business endeavors. The Chamber continues to fortify its pledge of our mission statement “to promote the general welfare of the City of Commerce so that its businesses and its citizens have the best environment in which to prosper…”
A great evening of entertainment was enjoyed by all who attended and delighted by the country music sounds of Billy and The Booner, complete with a country western festive environment.
Outgoing Chamber President John P. Pringle was recognized and presented with The President’s Service Award with sincere appreciation for his leadership and assistance in carrying out the goals and objectives of the Chamber from 2008-2010. He received commendations for his outstanding service and leadership from: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; State Senator Ron Calderon; and Assemblyman Hector De La Torre.
Notable guests included Representatives of elected officials:
Ricardo Mendoza for Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Alex Kim for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Jaime Rodriguez for State Senator Ron Calderon; and Claudia Goytia for Assemblyman Hector De La Torre. Local elected officials included Commerce City Mayor Joe Aguilar, Councilwoman Lilia Leon, and Councilman Hugo Argumedo. Also in attendance was City Administrator Jorge Rifa.
For the past several years, the Chamber has honored a top volunteer in recognition of their service to the Chamber and our community. The award, named in memoriam after one of the Chamber’s top volunteers, Loren Van Tuyl, was presented to George “Mr. T” Tumanjan of the Commerce Casino, who recently retired after 26 years in the City. Executive Director Eddie Tafoya gave a brief history of the Loren Van Tuyl Award stating it is presented to the person embodying the ultimate volunteer spirit in the business community.
In addition to the Loren Van Tuyl Award, the Chamber honored an Ambassador of the Year. Juan Muniz of the City of Commerce received the coveted Ambassador of the Year Award from Ambassador Chairperson Scarlet Timphony. The award is given to the most active and supportive Ambassador in recognition of their implementation skills of public relations, service, and commitment to the goals of the Chamber during the 2009-2010 Ambassador term.
The Honorable, Judge Gilbert Ruiz served as our Installing Officer.
Officers installed included:
Chris Welch, Board President (Prudential Overall Supply Co.)
Anthony Saldana, Vice President, Government Affairs (Exide Technologies)
Debbie Payne, Vice President, Community Relations (Commerce Casino)
Helene Simmons, Vice President, Membership (Immediate Medical Center)
James Barry, Vice President, Operations & Finance, and (AMVAC)
Evan Hitchcock, Board Secretary (E-Central Credit Union)
John P. Pringle, Immediate Past President (Roquemore, Pringle & Moore, Inc.)
Directors installed at the dinner included;
Steven Alperson
Rolled Steel Products Corporation
Rob Antrobius
AMB Property Corporation
Mercy Avelar
Wilbur Curtis Company
Andy Carrasco
Southern California Gas Company
James Filipan, Jr.
Steven’s Steak & Seafood House Restaurant
Ronald V. Garcia
Southern California Edison
Susan Jennrich
Citadel Outlets
Trini Jimenez
BNSF Railway Company
Dr. James Lemus
Lemus Medical Center
Robert Levenstein
S.D. Herman Company
Robert Mahl
USI Goldman Sachs Insurance Services
Barbara Martine
Datapage Inc.
Henry Miller
.99¢ Cents Only Stores
Dennis Nishida
Gehr Industries
Jeffrey P. Sanita
Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc.
Lupe C. Valdez
Union Pacific Railroad
Larry Young
Unified Grocers, Inc.
Upon taking his oath of office, new President Chris Welch, general manager of Prudential Overall Supply Co. in Commerce, expressed his appreciation at being elected to lead the Chamber for the next two years.
We’d like to thank the Board of Directors for their dedication and commitment shown in 2009. In addition, we hope you us in sharing our appreciation of the hard work and effort the planning and organizing committee made in developing the Installation program and event.
Thanks to Chamber volunteers Helene Simmons (Immediate Medical Center), Sharon Wu (Roquemore, Pringle & Moore, Inc.), Debbie Payne (Commerce Casino), Carolyn Maldonado (Select Staffing), Scarlet Timphony, Joe Zarrahy (Crowne Plaza Hotel at Commerce Casino), and Juan Muniz (City of Commerce) for helping to decorate, arrange table decorations and the silent auction, and schlep boxes back and forth. Each of you are truly special to staff and we are grateful for your service.
Thanks to our members, sponsors, and community supporters without whom this event would not be possible.
Be apart of the continued success in 2010, join the Commerce Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce!
Since 1959, the Commerce Industrial Council, a chamber of commerce, has helped hundreds of businesses take root in the City of Commerce. It has been the voice of business since incorporation of the city in 1960. The Commerce Industrial Council is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the area, and is a voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to build a healthy economy, and to improve the quality of life in Commerce. Chamber members are comprised of businesses, organizations (non-profit and for-profit), and individuals concerned with the socio-economic climate of the city. To learn more, visit http://www.IndustrialCouncil.org or call (323) 728-7222.