Executive Committee

Board of Directors

Charles Aguilar
NGK Spark Plugs (USA), Inc.

Donald Bradley
Musick, Peeler & Garrett, LLP

Kris Carter
Kawasaki Motors Corp, Inc.

Massis Chahbazian
The Printery

Lyn Cox
VACO

David Doran
White, Nelson & Co., LLP

Barbara Eidson
The Island Hotel Newport Beach

Bruce Greenberg
The GDR Group

Margie Harrier
Kaiser Permanente

Robert Hildt
Bank Development Group

Colleen Kareti
Hyatt Regency Irvine

William J. Kelley, III
Kelley & Kelley

Sam Murray
ManagEase Incorporated

David Ross
Waste Management of O.C.

Patrick Strader
Starpointe Ventures

Carol Y. Tagayun
AT&T, Inc.
 
Liz Toomey
University of California, Irvine

Rahul Vir
Irvine Marriott

Carol Wold
Lennar – Heritage Fields

Betty Jo Woollett
Community Member

Chair's Message

New Chairman Excited About Helping Chamber Grow

Steve Churm
President/Owner, Churm Media

Former Illinois Senator, Everett Dirksen once said, “I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.” A bigger-than-life political figure on the national scene a half-century ago, Dirksen’s words seem so applicable in today’s challenging business environment. Navigating the choppy waters of today’s economy demands a different style of leadership, one that embraces collaboration, communication and creativity. Success is more often the result of adapting to change and moving quickly to identify fresh solutions. Remaining entrenched in old systems and models can be ruinous for any organization.

Dirksen’s view of leadership is one I share and hope to bring to the Irvine Chamber of Commerce as I begin my year-long term as Chair of the Board of Directors. It is a deep and true honor to lead this organization for the next 12 months. The Irvine Chamber has been serving this region for 30 years and has become the gold standard of business-to-business member organizations. Though not the oldest business group in Orange County, this chamber is one of the biggest in the region with nearly 1,100 members and it is one of the most effective at representing the interests of business owners, executives and entrepreneurs alike.

Make no mistake this chamber has fun (life’s too short not to laugh out loud and grow friendships). But our core objective is to help businesses grow their market share and create a healthy, positive business environment. The chamber is fortunate to serve one of the most dynamic economies in the world with strong ties to national and global business interests. It is a marketplace fueled by talent, capital and innovation. Add to this high-octane mix of potential and promise, the access to some of the best institutions of higher learning, including the University of California, Irvine, Irvine Valley College and Concordia University.

Right in the middle of all this commerce and activity is the Irvine Chamber. It is an awesome responsibility—and opportunity—to reflect and represent the interests of this business community and our members. It won’t be easy, not with an economy that is waffling and many industries, including my own, the media, going through tectonic shifts in product and service offerings. Consumer confidence, real estate values and the health of the general economy will improve. But until we get to the other side of this economic turbulence, organizations like this one will need to play an even more important role in serving as a resource and sounding board for its members.

As this year’s board chair, you have my commitment along with the board and the finest chamber staff in California to make sure that our programs are as relevant and valuable as possible for our members. We are not perfect and we will need your help to improve and accomplish our ambitious goals. But I guarantee that we will work hard and smart to maintain—and grow—the reputation of this chamber that is celebrating 30 remarkable years of continuous service in this community. Thank you for this opportunity and I encourage you to help us succeed.