Past Chamber Presidents

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

"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!"

“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.”

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.

“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.”