It was a rip-roaring night as the Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday gathered for their annual fundraising gala at the clubhouse on the U.S. Navy Golf Course.
With two Ford Model-T’s in the driveway, the “Roaring 20’s” theme for this year prompted many in the group to adorn classic clothing for what has become the Los Al Chamber’s main yearly fundraiser and awards gala.
This is only the second year of the Chamber’s revival of what, until now, was a dormant event. Last year’s trial revival went so well the Chamber is now embracing the annual themed event.
“Thank all of you for supporting the Chamber,” said incoming Chairwoman Nesi Stewart, the owner of Printmasters of Los Alamitos. Stewart told the packed room about when she and her husband purchased a printing business twelve years ago and found that her business was located near her competitor.
“Competition is good,” she said, noting that all local businesses should work together to improve the overall share of business. Many times since, said Stewart, the two competing printing businesses have helped each other out at various times in the past twelve years.
Also, she promised that the Chamber would be active in coming year. “I just want to keep the momentum going,” she said, adding that “I just want to make sure that our members and board are proactive and reaching out to businesses to get more business into the city.” The success of the Chamber is dependent on one-to-one contact and effective community outreach, said Stewart.
She thanked outgoing Chairwoman Dawnette Palmore for her success in improving attendance at the Chamber’s monthly networking breakfast.
“It (improving attendance)was my goal and I think we succeeded,” said Palmore, who said the introduction of a Chamber sponsored “Heroes Luncheon” in the fall of 2019 was perhaps the highlight of her year as Chair. She credited local businesswoman Judy Klabouch with coming up with the idea.
Stewart will serve as Chairwoman, while LeAnna Farris, State Farm Insurance, is First Vice Chairwoman, Kathi McNally, McNally Lighting, is 2nd Vice Chairwoman, Dan Schwartz, Pacific Premier Bank, Vice Chairman of Budget and Finance while Palmore, Proverbs Financial Coaching, will serve on the board as immediate past chairwoman. The Directors will include Sabina Arace, Courtyard by Marriott, Manuel Gouveia, Republic Services, Judy Klabouch, Green Street Interiors, Tracy Leonard, Ameriprise Financial Services, Susan Morales, Los Al Medical Center, Dr. Andrew Pulver, Los Al Unified, Michelle Ratzlaff, Southland Credit Union, and Monica Salmon, Farmers Insurance.
In addition to swearing in the new officers, the Chamber presented a special award to Brigadier General Nick Ducich, the base commander of Joint Forces Training Base who has recently promoted to the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C.
Rossmoor Community Service District member Jeff Barke served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Mark Chirco, an attorney and Mayor Pro-tem of the Los Alamitos Council, swore in the officials.
The Chamber presented awards to this year’s winners, including Southland Credit as the oustanding business of the year, Casa Youth Shelter as the outstanding nonprofit partner of the year, Judy Klabouch (Green Street Interiors) as outstanding citizen of the year and Ganahl Lumber as the outstanding economic impact partner of the year.
In addition to glass awards from the Chamber, a multitude of local agencies and elected officials also presented the winners with certificates of recognition.
Stewart also thanked sponsors and Tom Leroux of the Long Beach Model T Club for bringing the cars.