Nearly 200 attendees enjoyed the Chamber’s annual Installation Dinner Thursday, March 21, that included not only the Mayor’s installation of the 2013-14 Board of Directors and Executive Committee led by new President Arlynn Robinson of Century 21 Earll, but also fun gifts for outgoing President Pete Siberell of Santa Anita Park and for departing board director David Burke, general manager of Santa Anita Park, and special presentations to the Chamber’s first Corporate Community Contributor recipient the Arcadia Association of Realtors, and this year’s Citizens of the Year, Shelly and Jim Romo.
All that, plus a silent auction and a delicious dinner and dessert provided by Santa Anita Park in the lovely and elegant Chandelier Room in less than 2 1/2-hours.
<Story continues below following video by Andrew Gregson of The Executive Factor, and the subsequent photo gallery…>
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The classy-looking printed programs (at right) were created again this year at a very generous discount by Chamber member Printing Control, run by Jerry Dominguez.
The first presentation was in appreciation for the terrific job Pete Siberell did for the Chamber in the past year. Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick said that even as Siberell was extremely busy with his own job, he never let any of that interfere with his oversight of the Chamber. Hettrick jokingly presented Siberell with a special Welcome Mat Award plaque featuring a photo of Pete’s proud accomplishment of making sure the Chamber got a new welcome mat for the doorway.
Siberell was also presented a commemorative aloha shirt featuring the World Champion San Francisco Giants, and a pair of Giants’ socks.
The legislative officials then each presented Siberell with certificates of appreciation, after which he expressed his pleasure in leading the Chamber to accomplish several goals during his term and turns it over on firm footing.
Next, David Burke, who has been promoted to work on Westfield’s $1 billion development in Century City, was praised by Hettrick for having Westfield Santa Anita be the Chamber’s biggest Presenting Sponsor each year since 2011 and committing to do again for 2013-14, with the addition of a premium to help fund the Chamber’s planned new digital display sign on Huntington Drive. Burke was presented two souvenir Santa Anita Golf Course golf balls, and a set of new Titleist Velocity balls, along with a gift box with a bottle of Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon that the Chamber acquired from member company The Wine of the Month Club.
Mayor Bob Harbicht then swore-in the newly-elected Board of Directors, including new and returning board members, Presidential appointments and Civic Representatives:
• Gregory Case, Embassy Suites
• David Finstrom, HUTdogs
• Joan Francone, ORI Global
• Doneva Garcia, Methodist Hospital
• Dr. Nina Getz, Phillips Eye Center
• Andrew Gregson, The Executive Factor
• Steven L. Gutierrez, I.J. Rager Floor Services
• Andy Hakopian, Netsmart Systems
• Tamara Kato, Comfort Keepers
• Bob Kenz, Robeks Juice
• Vicki Knight, Century Rooter Service & Plumbing
• Dominic Lazzaretto, Arcadia City Manager
• Matt McSweeny, Matt Denny’s Ale House
• Jessica Ortiz, Wells Fargo Bank
• Annette Ousterhout, Jan’s Towing
• Anne Marie Piersol, Security Design Systems
• Patrick McCloskey, Gentile-McCloskey & Co.
• Mikki Porretta, Dilbeck Real Estate,
• Sylvia Ramos, Dilbeck Real Living
• Helen Romero Shaw, The Gas Company
• Richard Schulhof, Los Angeles County Arboretum
• Dr. Joel Shawn, Arcadia School District
• Joann Steinmeier, School Board President
• John Sun, Budget Blinds
• Wayne Williams, Professional Advisory Services
• Dr. Edward Wong, Arcadia Chinese Association
• Dr. Peter Young, Premier Dental Esthetic
• Kevin Zimmerman, Arroyo Plumbing
Mayor Harbicht then called forward the officers of the Executive Committee of the board to be sworn in:
• President Arlynn Robinson of Century 21 Earll
• President-Elect Denise Weaver of Weaver & Associates
• Secretary-Treasurer Ed Beranek, E. Beranek Accounting Corp
• Past President Pete Siberell of Santa Anita Park
Hettrick then introduced Robinson, reciting his Arlynn remained at the podium to give an exuberant acceptance about her goals and aspirations for the coming year.
The penultimate award of the evening was the Chamber’s first annual Corporate Community Contributor Award, presented to the Arcadia Association of Realtors and accepted by AAR Executive Director and the heads of the committee to create events as fund-raisers for local non-profit groups.
Before presenting the final award, Hettrick showcased the world premiere of the Chamber’s new tourist video, “Arcadia’s Got It All,” narrated by City Clerk and Arcadia Historical Society President Gene Glasco, and co-produced by Chamber board member Andrew Gregson at the Executive Factor. (Story continues following the 4-minute video below…)
Jim and Shelly Romo accept Citizens of the Year Award from new Chamber President Arlynn Robinson (r)
Next was the introduction of Councilman Gary Kovacic, who won this same award a few years ago, and was introduced by his UCLA Bruins buddy Jim Romo. He introduced the Romos by showing an amusing PowerPoint slide presentation.
New Chamber President Arlynn Robinson then presented the Romos with the Citizens of the Year Award, followed by a special proclamation from Arcadia Unified School District Deputy Superintendent David Vanasdall. After presentations by the Mayor and other legislative reps, Citizens of the Year, Shelly and Jim Romo came to the microphone to thank their family members in attendance and the support of their friends. They thanked the Chamber for the award and expressed their love of volunteering in the community.
Special thanks goes to Chamber member Patricia Colonello of MountainViews News, who organized the silent auction that raised about $600 for the Chamber, including $225 for a brand new $300 beach cruiser bike donated by board member and Ambassador Vicky and Doug Knight of Century Rooter Service & Plumbing who won the bike only a few days earlier at the Chamber Mega-Mixer at the Speedway and new Irwindale Event Center. They immediately turned around and donated it to the Chamber for the Installation Dinner raffle.
Other items donated by generous contributors:
- $150 CalPhil tickets at Santa Anita July 27 went for $95.
- $140 in 2 Taste of Arcadia tickets and wine glasses went for $90.
- $170 worth of Dodgers tickets on April 7 (including Preferred Parking) donated by former Chamber President Kevin and Linda Zimmerman of Arroyo Plumbing, sold for $85.
- $100 Day at the Races at Santa Anita for four people sold for $60.
- $105 Cabrerra’s / Taza: A Social Coffee House / Votre Salon package had winning bid of $53.
- $50 In-N-Out Burger package went for $40
- $65 Anaheim Hills Clubhouse brunch sold for $38.
- $73 Peterson Auto Museum / Los Gueros package went for $37.
- $210 Rose Parade seats sold for $35
- $130 Gift Basket for Sunday’s Uncorked at Santa Anita Park was donated to new Chamber President Arlynn Robinson.
- $400 Gold Bracelet donated by Mary Jo and Dan Perez of Ready Pawn on Live Oak in Arcadia (still available — make your bid to Chamber at 447-2159)
Anne Marie Piersol of Security Design Systems began the evening by presenting the inspirational message, followed by the flag salute led by Vicky Knight of Century Rooter Service & Plumbing.
Among the attendees recognized were former Chamber Presidents Jim Helms, Monty Lindsey, Mikki Porretta; Helen Romero Shaw; Lee Shimmin; and Bob Hoffman.
With redistricting, there has been an almost complete turnover in state and federal legislative representatives this year, so it was a special treat to see new reps in attendance: From the office of Congresswoman Judy Chu, Becky Cheng and Tommy Tseng; from State Senator Ed Hernandez’s office, Iso Nakasato; from the office of Assemblyman Ed Chau, Olivia Lee.
Meanwhile, longtime political friends were also on hand: from the office of County Supervisor and County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich’s office, Brian Mejia; Mayor Bob Harbicht and his wife Patsy; Councilmen and former Mayors Peter Amundson, Gary Kovacic and his wife Barb, and Mickey Segal and his wife Lee, former Mayors and City Councilmembers Jim Helms and Gail Marshall; City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto; and Arcadia’s Economic Development Manager, Jerry Schwartz.
Also in attendance were the leaders of some local organizations, including Arcadia Chinese Association President Joanna Liang; Cheryl Reynolds of the Santa Anita Family YMCA; Arcadia Historical Society Vice President Carol Libby; Betty Williams, executive director of Foothill Unity Center, Arcadia Unified School District Deputy Superintendent David Vanasdall; Methodist Hospital CEO Dan Ausman, and Arboretum CEO Richard Schulhof. Finally, former Rotary Club President Bruce McCallum and his wife Joanne were in attendance now that he has taken on the enormous title of chairman of the Taste of Arcadia.
Groups that purchased tables were: Assistance League of Arcadia and Methodist Hospital.
The night’s host, Santa Anita Park, was thanks, as was the track’s event coordinator, Elizabeth Booth who works closely with the Chamber staff, led on this event primarily by Jan Shimmin with big assists from Cherry Liu and Bonnie Wilbur.
The Chamber’s biggest thanks went to annual Presenting Sponsor and one of the night’s Gold Sponsors, Westfield Santa Anita. The Chamber also thanked another Gold Sponsor, the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud(Rude) & Romo, as well as Bronze Sponsor Waste Management. Other advertisers in the program included Mary E. Hansen & Carol Libby, and former Chamber President Mikki Porretta.
Other thanks were offered to Margit Holakoui Florist for donating the lovely long-stem roses and the boutonnieres. Awards were purchased from Chamber members Shaffer Awards and All Quality Awards.
