Politics & Government
Artesia Chamber of Commerce Installs Its New Board of Directors
The Artesia Chamber of Commerce welcomed its members and local community members to the installation of its 2012 Board of Directors, where Los Angeles County Supervisor, Don Knabe, acted as the installing officer.
On Jan. 17, the Artesia Chamber of Commerce held its 2012 installation dinner for its new Board of Directors. Held at the (D.E.S.), the installation was carried out by Los Angeles County Supervisor, Don Knabe.
Spirits were soaring at the sight of Artesia's local business owners, public officials, educators and community leaders coming together to honor the incoming Chamber board members. More than 150 guests were present including, Artesia councilman Victor Manalo, and ABC School board members Olympia Chen, Celia Spitzer, Sophia Tse and James Kang (also the Chamber's outgoing president). But Knabe, a former two-term Cerritos mayor, was undeniably the star of the evening as he swore in the Chamber's 2012 officers.
“It's just an incredible recovery here in the city of Artesia,” Knabe said. “To see this kind of a turn-out, to see the business community wrap their arms around their city. Not one business versus another, so it's really a great evening for the city of Artesia.”
The 2012 Board of Directors is as follows (with their respective business):
President: Manu Patel – Kaiser Permanente
Vice President: Elizabeth Makabali – One West bank
Treasurer: Don Brown – Pioneer RV Storage
Secretary: Lou Trerotola – Prudential Realty
Board Members: Dinesh Gandhi – Century 21 Astro
Dr. Doo Youn Hwang – DYH Acupuncture
Lana Leazer – Quality Inn & Suites
Bill Lee – CA Prudential Realty
Felix Lopez – Pinoy General Insurance
Parimal Shah – Parimal Shah – Pioneer Money
City Liaison: Tony Lima – Artesia City Council
Advisory Committee:
Jennifer Ho – Real Estate Specialists
Dr. Steve Sherman – Su Casa
Chet Swart - Rotary Club of Cerritos-Artesia
Executive Director: Sug Kitahara – Lima Realty
Newly installed president, Manu Patel, said he was happy to be installed, and commended his committee on their intelligence.
“I'm looking forward to working with each and every one of you,” Patel said to the audience.
As outgoing president, Kang was proud of what he's accomplished in the past couple of years.
“During the last 3 and a half years, I built up a good pathway and direction, so the Chamber will go forward in the next year and the next year,” Kang said. “As long as the new president goes the same pathway as I have, it's going to be good. It's going to be alright.”
Chamber secretary Lou Trerotola said the Chamber, while still in its infancy, plans to attract more members as it positions itself to be a resource and provide support to its membership through business expo and community outreach and educational seminars and networking throughout the year.
For more information about joining the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, visit the organization's website or call (562) 882-7734. You can also get up-to-date news and updates on future events by joining the Chamber's facebook page.