Installation Dinner & Silent Auction A Huge Success
Above: Chamber Board Members join Chamber Ambassadors on stage during the Opera cast introductions by Ambassador Sharon Wu.
2008 ANNUAL CHAMBER INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
(February 28, 2008) Commerce,CA - With over 250 in attendance at the sold out gala, and over $9,000 raised at our annual silent auction, the 2008 Annual Installation Dinner made for one of the best of its kind in recent history.
The Chamber wishes to express its sincere appreciation to all of its chamber members and friends that graciously donated to this year’s Silent Auction. We wholeheartedly thank you and are grateful for your contributions to our event.
The event, held on February 28, 2008, at Stevens Steak and Seafood House in Commerce, featured “A Night at the Opera” theme, chamber members in opera-themed costumes, speeches from the incoming and outgoing presidents, award presentations, and a silent auction for items ranging from sports tickets, bottles of wine, gift baskets, helicopter rides,and color televisions.
The theme was chosen to honor incoming President, John P. Pringle of Roquemore, Pringle & Moore, Inc. Pringle has been a fan of the opera, especially it’s music, since he was a young child, singing in a boy’s choir and touring the world. The evening’s event highlighted operas, such as the Phantom of the Opera, Romeo & Juliet, Pirates of Penzance, Don Giovanni, as well as many others. Chamber members and people from all walks enjoyed a great evening of member-to-member camaraderie, an opera singer during dinner, a silent auction, and an installation program. And best yet, you got to see our Board of Directors and Ambassadors in their character roles.
Outgoing President Helene Simmons of Immediate Medical Center was honored by the Commerce Industrial Council for her service as Board President from 2005 to 2007, and received commendations from the offices of U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Senator Dianne Feinstein, State Senator Ron Calderon, State Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, State Controller John Chiang, and the City of Commerce for two years of great service as President.
In her speech, she emphasized making use of the time we have today to be active in the community and thanked the membership for two wonderful years serving as President. “It was a pleasure working with you and learning what we need to do to ensure the future growth and success of our local business economy and our chamber. I am proud to be an active partner in the business growth we are currently seeing in our community,” said Simmons. “The next step for me is to take the knowledge I’ve gained and to transform it into effective leadership, stewardship, and action. I applaud tonight’s distinguished honorees for their many achievements, and wish the Board of Directors all the best of luck during their tenure in office,” added Simmons. Simmons assumes the role of Immediate Past President and will remain a part of Chamber’s Executive Committee and Board.
The event also recognizes the Board’s officers, directors and all others involved in 2007’s successes. Honorees for the evening included James A. Barry of AMVAC, who received the Loren Van Tuyl Memorial Award, which is bestowed to an individual for their ‘lifetime of leadership, tireless commitment, and invaluable contributions of service to the community.’ Chamber Ambassador Joseph Zarrahy of the Commerce Crowne Plaza/Commerce Casino was awarded the Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award, bestowed to an ambassador for their efforts in supporting the chamber and its programs.
A somber, but joyous award presentation was made to Daniel Kingston “King” Cable posthumously as his family was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Cable passed away on January 23, 2008, at the age of 89 from complications of kidney failure.
Kingston, a member of the Commerce Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce since 1970, and its Board of Directors since 1978, was involved in a number of civic and charitable organizations throughout Commerce and Bell Gardens, including the Rio Hondo Rotary Club of Commerce and Bell Gardens, the Rio Hondo Boys and Girls Club, the Los Angeles Rotary Club, and the Boy Scouts of America.
“Mr. Cable left us with the exemplary legacy of a full life lived thoroughly and well,” said Chamber Executive Director Eddie D. Tafoya. “His devotion to our community will forever resonate as a positive indicator and inspiration for all,” added Tafoya.
Incoming President John Pringle, who has been involved with the chamber for over 25 years, first as a president of the Buy And Sell In Commerce (BASIC) committee when Tom Hall was the director, and then as a member of the board, emphasized the importance of everyone having a vested interest in the success of the city and that is why the chamber has remained a strong organization for nearly 50 years.
“We have the opportunity to continue the spirit of cooperation which has existed between the city and the business community for over fifty years,” he said. We should thank all those who have come before us, like King Cable, and so many other business men and women and residents, for establishing such a strong community, and we must work together to keep it strong. I look forward to working with all of you to make this happen.” Pringle was also president of the board in 1993.
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