Past Chamber Presidents

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1914 F. Robbins

1915 F. Robbins

1916 A. Wardman

1917 P. McLaren

1918 Paul Denniger

1919 Rex B. Kennedy

1920 Jefferson Walbridge

1921 C.W. Pinkerton

1922 C.A. Carden

1923 C.C. Barr

1924 L.C. Montgomery

1925 B.G. Martin

1925 Charlmers Newsom

1926 D.H. White

1927 R. R. Morris

1928 John Kemmerer

1929 Everatt Reese

1930 Charles Cliff

1931 Frank Anderson

1932 John Aue

1933 G. Randolph Miller

1934 E.H. Perry

1935 James A. Miller

1936 L.C. Nanney

1937 Orin Gallup

1938 John Christiansen

1939 Herman L. Perry

1940 L. Bert Hill

1941 Ralph M. Thynnes

1942 Tom Bewley

1943 Lewis A. Myers

1944 Hugh W. Bruen

1945 Gerald Kepple

1946 James A. Gerrard

1947 Edward J. Guirado

1948 O.K. Flood

1949 Kenneth L. Ball

1950 H.C. Dolde

1951 Paul O. Miller

1952 J.E. Reynolds

1953 F. Caneer

1954 Herman Kennedy

1955 Earl Douglas

1956 Harold Lutz

1957 Richard Myers

1958 Richard Myers

1959 S.C. Hookstratten

1960 D.K. Grandy

1961 Earl B. Myer

1962 William A. Wood

1963 Donald S. Mateer

1964 Eugene Marrs

1965 Paul Sercu

1966 W.D. Burgess

1967 Blake Sanborn

1968 Mynatt Smith

1969 Hubert C. Perry

1970 David P. Robert

1971 D.E. Wood

1972 Don Kemp

1973 Harold Kinnaman

1974 H.A. Beisswenger

1975 M.G. Garman

1976 W.A. Ellis

1977 Ray D. Misamore

1978 Don Her

1979 Jerry Thomas

1980 Gene Chandler

1981 Claudia Grace

1982 David T. Cannon

1983 Joan Woehrmann

1984 Wayne Harvey

1985 Doris Pawlak

1986 Joe Corey

1987 Jan Lopez

1988 Jerry Perisho

1989 Dave Todd

1990 Melanie Bickley

1991 Larry Haendiges

1992 Diane Acosta

1993 Jan La Fave

1994 Mike Sussman

1995 Lou Banas

1996 Ron Garcia

1997 Doug Lopez

1998 Susan Miles

1999 Mary Schambach

2000 Bonnie Watje

2001 Vince Mele

2002 Douglas M. Rowan

2003 Sylvia Southerland

2004 Keith Mericle

2005 Joseph Price

2006 Carolyn Reggio

2007 Christopher J. George

2008 Maria Segovia

2009 Cheryl Estep

2010 Dean Harako

2011 Ben Greer

2012 Sue Dean

2013 Bonnie Watje

2014 Shannon Gimbel Hammer

2015 Rudy Hernandez

2016 Chris Hardeman

2017 Laurie Perschbacher

2018 Gary Lee Martinez

2019 Elizabeth Martinez

2020 Bryan Tabizon

2021 Sandra Hahn

2022 Kwan Lee

Featured Video

I the Whittier Chamber

Sequoia Lynch

Sequoia Lynch

My name is Sequoia Lynch, I have just graduated from Life Pacific University with a Bachelor in Mass Communications. I currently work with my father at Southland Window Cleaning Company. ​ The Whittier Student Chamber empowered me. It gave me the resources and opportunities to become the person I want to be. I remember the various workshops the Chamber held for us, workshops for resume building, strength finding, and more. They opened my eyes to a new world and helped me think like a business person. They instilled in me the idea that I could become anyone I wanted to be. While at the Chamber I have the opportunity to partake in their student leadership, and during my first year there I had the amazing privilege of becoming the Vice President of the Student Chamber. The conversations I had with Lori Eshilian and some of the chamber representatives about how we can make the student Chamber better stay with me even now. They gave me an introduction to how to think like a leader, which has opened the door for other amazing opportunities. In my senior year of college, I became the Associated Student Government President for the whole school. The Chamber was foundational in giving me the skills to do this. The Whittier Chamber funds a scholarship for Chamber students every year. I got this scholarship in my senior year, in 2019. It was the first scholarship I earned, and it put me on a path toward success. If you are considering donating to this scholarship, do it. I am living proof that it impacts lives and puts students on the right track. I am so thankful to everyone who donated to this scholarship in 2019, whether they know it or not, they changed my life.
Steve Rosas

Steve Rosas

I have worked with several Chambers in the past, but none have had the benefits as the Whittier Chamber. This team keeps networking going at a rapid pace. Through ribbon cuttings, Wake Up Whittier, Tasty Tuesdays, and Thirsty Thursdays, I am constantly meeting new people. The benefits of the added business I have received from these networking events, far exceeds the time and money invested. I would recommend the Whittier Chamber to any existing business to get your name out on the Whittier area and beyond. The potential to pick up new customers is truly there with a small investment of your time. I love the Chamber so much I became an Ambassador as a way to say thank you for all they have done for me.
Ara Balayan

Ara Balayan

Catering by Herach and Ara was started in February of 1984 as a Social Catering Company. The emphasis of the company is to serve excellent quality food, at a reasonable price and excellent service. Our menus are an eclectic mix of cuisines offering a "home-cooked" to "elegant" presentation. We became members of the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce 9 years ago because we saw the value of a very active, multi-dimensional and pro-business chamber. Ara Balayan Catering by Herach & Ara
Rich Southard

Rich Southard

Home Instead Senior Care
While I acquired a business that had been an important part of the Whittier community since 2003, I was still new to town. The Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce offers the best resource for business and personal connections. When a client needs something, I can check the directory or ask for an introduction. Having confidence in who we work with enabled us to add 25 jobs in the first year and as we approach the end of year two, we continue to develop relationships that serve our seniors. Our Whittier Chamber membership delivers a trusted network and more!
John Bogdanov

John Bogdanov

TelWorx

I joined the Whittier Chamber in July of 2018 because it is one of the best and most effective ways to network with local business owners and community leaders. Since joining the Whittier Chamber has been very supportive, not only by providing several regular networking events but also in helping to promote my business. Every local business should consider joining the Chamber. Your returns will significantly exceed your investment.

Justin Tipton

Justin Tipton

Telcog Communications
Hi, my name is Justin Tipton and I am the V.P. of Telcog Communications, located in Uptown Whittier. I have been with the Whittier Chamber for almost 3 years now and we absolutely love it. I decided to join the Chamber after speaking with one of my business partners who had previously been part of another chamber with a different organization. The Chamber has been great for us in several areas. We have been introduced to several of our clients through networking events and referrals. Not only have I gained new accounts, but I’ve met so many other business owners that have been a huge help in my ongoing education as an entrepreneur. The workshops have been great to learn new tips and techniques, helping me in areas I may not have too much knowledge in. If I have any advice for someone who is thinking of joining the Chamber, it would be to join right away! The team is amazing, the members are amazing, and it is one of the best investments my company and I have made.
Laurie Perschbacher

Laurie Perschbacher

MAP Property Management, Inc.
MAP Property Management has been a Whittier Chamber member since 1996. Joining the Chamber has been a smart business decision for our family. The Chamber has given us exposure to many other business leaders in the community and the opportunity to know City Council members, City staff, and employees. Most importantly, the Business Focus has brought in new business to our company by having a constant presence in the paper. Join the Chamber because it’s a great investment in your business plan. I don’t regret making this decision 23 years ago. I feel that the Chamber has given us resources that I could not have found on my own. I have made wonderful friendships along the way that I would not have if it wasn’t for the Whittier Chamber.
Robert Reggio

Robert Reggio

Associated Cabinets
I was invited to join the Chamber as a way to grow my business and support the Whittier community 19 years ago. Due to the nature of my job and my work schedule, I am not able to attend Chamber programs. However, I know there is value in being a member whether you have time to participate or not. For such a small annual amount, it is well worth the investment. Especially because I don’t physically participate in Chamber programs, it’s important to keep my business name visible. For many years I have sponsored events such as the Hathaway Golf Classic, the Business Expo and Silver Shield to name a few. The Chamber has always given me great exposure and a good return on my sponsorship dollars. In addition, the Chamber connects me with other Chamber members, either personally or through my business. Most recently, I have done business with S & R Air Conditioning, All Day Drywall, James Hardware, Oromill Lumber, The Traveling Traveler, Pro-Tech Carpet Cleaner, Ken Grody Ford, Toyota of Whittier, Shannon G’s Flowers and The WetCleaners, not to mention eating at numerous restaurants that belong to the Chamber. In turn, over the years I have received business through my Chamber connections and have helped with custom cabinets, beautiful new kitchens, and remodeled bathrooms. Being a Chamber member has definitely helped my business grow. I can’t imagine anyone being in business without having the support of the Whittier Chamber.
Angie Mericle

Angie Mericle

The Flag Shop
"The Flag Shop has been part of the Whittier Chamber for 34 years when my mother-in-law opened her doors in 1985. We made the choice to continue being a part of the Chamber to be able to network with other businesses and be part of the Whittier business community. The Chamber has promoted my business, continued to keep me up to date with local business events, connected us with SCORE mentoring, and because of this connection, we have been able to advance our business by relocating back to the retail & restaurant Uptown area of Whittier. I encourage anyone with a business in Whittier to join the Chamber and get connected with other local businesses and let the awesome Chamber team help promote your business!"
Barbara Dunagan

Barbara Dunagan

Integrity Tax and Notary Services
“As I start my 2nd year with the Whittier Chamber I believe it was one of the best things I did when I decided to start my own business a year ago. Even though I have not been able to attend some of the events they plan, my information gets distributed through them regularly. New clients come in and say they found me through the Whittier Chamber. This is a great way to market and grow your business.”
Bonnie Watje

Bonnie Watje

ACRO Printing, Inc.
In 1991, ACRO Printing, Inc, our one employee company, joined the Whittier Chamber of Commerce. Our membership has given ACRO opportunities to help us grow through volunteering on committees (where you meet and work with members to form relationships), advertising in the Business Focus, website and door to door flyer programs, networking, and education and staff training, just to name a few, to keep the business on the right track. We took full advantage of those opportunities, and through our partnership with the Whittier Chamber, we have grown into the solid company with many employees we are today.
Kim Ortega

Kim Ortega

Au.D. Doctor of Audiology, Whittier Hearing Center
“Being a member of the Whittier Chamber is important to me because it keeps me connected to other business owners throughout the community. They also help to keep me informed of local, regional and state issues that may have an impact on my business. Lastly, the Chamber gives back so much to the community and members support each other in so many ways.”

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