Chamber new board members and officers Suzanne Scar, Nick Deitch, Michele Newell, Nan Drake, John Silva, Shannon Hillygus, Amy Towner, Charnell Smith and outgoing Board Chair James Perero. Photo by Bernie Goldstein
The Ventura Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Board Installation on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Pierpont Inn. The event was attended by business members, city officials and dignitaries including Assembly member Monique Limón and Ventura Councilmembers Cheryl Heitmann and Christy Weir.
Outgoing Board Chair James Perero presented an overview of the Chamber’s many programs and accomplishments over the past year, thanking the Chamber members, board members, and staff for their support and contributions.
Highlights included selecting new and dynamic board members and officers for the coming year, and involvement with the new initiative, the City of Ventura Homelessness Stakeholders Group. This joint effort between local community advocates, providers, and agencies within the city and county is continuing to develop, and new and innovative approaches to homelessness in Ventura are being explored.
Nan Drake, incoming Board Chair, presented her vision and the Chamber’s theme for 2017 – “Creating a Strong Business Environment for Ventura.” Drake outlined the focal points of the Chamber as she addressed the goals for the coming year. Drake’s plan includes the Chamber continuing its efforts to work with the City of Ventura to improve the development process, recruit high growth entrepreneurs to the City, track progress of business sustainability and increase membership that is representative of the entire business community.
Some Ventura Chamber businesses also were recognized for being long-time members, including Kaiser Permanente, member for 50 years, and 25-year members Buena Lanes, Casitas Municipal Water District, Employer’s Depot, Office Depot, and Pacific Coast Business Times.
The event was generously sponsored by Ventura Auto Center, Aera Energy, Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, Gold Coast Acura, Kaiser Permanente, MortgageCouch, Ventura County Star, CAPS Media, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Luners Production Services, Pacific Coast Business Times, VC Reporter, Ventura Breeze, and Ventura County Camera Club.
The Ventura Chamber of Commerce is a membership based organization that advocates on behalf of the business community. With 700 members, representing more than 25,000 employees locally, the Chamber engages on a variety of issues that help to drive a strong local economy as The Voice of Business.
