Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce : Elk Grove, California

A change in leadership at the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce took place Jan. 7 at the Valley Hi Country Club when Steve Griffin of Grubb & Ellis was installed as president at the 58th annual Leadership Recognition and Installation Dinner.

Outgoing president Richard Samra of Samra Enterprises presented awards to Marsha Braaten for the Chamber Service Award, Sharon Renzo as Ambassador of the Year, and Jack Williams’ Smog ‘N Go as Business of the Year.

Saying that it was the small town feeling that attracted him and his wife to Elk Grove 18 years ago, Griffin told the gathering that he wanted to keep that feeling. He mentioned he worked with several former presidents from businesses including the Citizen, Colton Insurance, Guttridge Realty, Jackson Properties and Valley Oak Maytag.

Griffin also plans to keep a major program started under Samra’s regime, that of Think Shop Live Elk Grove. The program has had two successful promotions; the latest taking place during the holiday shopping season.

“We’ve reduced staff (due to the recession) but not programs,” Griffin emphasized.

He added that although a focus is always to enlist new members, “it’s more important than ever to get old members back, and that members be involved in the chamber.”

In reviewing his year, Samra expressed his appreciation to the chamber staff: Interim Executive Director Rita Velasquez, Office Operations and Marketing Coordinator Angi Perry, Office Assistant Katie Wong and Membership Specialist Deb Northrup. He also singled out Griffin who worked on the Political Action Committee, and the chamber Ambassadors.

Braaten, who is a chamber ambassador, was cited for her involvement in getting new chamber members and involving her shopping center in chamber promotions. She and partner Sam Falk own Choice Framing in the Raley’s shopping center at Franklin and Elk Grove boulevards.

Renzo, owner of Weddings by Design, was praised for her work with the Ambassadors, planning trips and assisting at the many ribbon cuttings, mixers and luncheons.

Jack Williams, owner of Smog ‘N Go, has managed to maintain a successful business while serving as stake president for his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dr. Steven Ladd, superintendent of the Elk Grove Unified School District was master of ceremonies for the evening, adding a light touch to the affair.

He introduced the many dignitaries present: 15th District Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, state Senator Dave Cox, Elk Grove Mayor Sophia Scherman, 5th District Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli, 3rd District U.S. Representative Dan Lungren, Elk Grove Vice Mayor Steve Detrick, Elk Grove Council Member Gary Davis, Elk Grove City Manager Laura Gill, Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) board president Elaine Wright and members Gil Albiani, Michelle Orrock and Guy Rutter, CSD Interim General Manager Jeff Ramos, SMUD board member Genevieve Shiroma, Los Rios College board president Kay Albiani, and Chanel Murray, representing state Assemblywomen Allyson Huber, 10th district, and Lois Wolk, 5th district.

Cox, Lungren, Buchanan, Scherman and Murray all made presentations to Samra.

Scherman also brought greetings from the city, saying that she had served as chamber president (1991), and that “the city is here for you, at your beck and call.”

Four businesses were singled out as having been chamber members for 50 years: Guttridge Realty (Mike Guttridge), Colton Insurance (Jon Colton), Frontier Communications (Jim Cline), and the Citizen (Roy Herburger).

Twenty-five-year members recognized included Methodist Hospital (Veronica Knudson) and Sophia Scherman.

Velasquez administered the oath of office to the new board. Serving with Griffin for 2010 are Knudson, president-elect; Sharon O’Brien, The O’Brien Company, vice president; James Sweeney, Sweeney & Greene, LLP, secretary-treasurer; and Samra, past president.

Directors include Sheryl Carlson, Vista Point Insurance Services; Jim Cline, Frontier; Paul Krueger, SureWest; Steven Ladd, EGUSD; Robert Lent, Elk Grove Milling, Inc.; Paula Maita, Paula Maita & Co.; Jerry Mayberry, Allied Waste Services; Michael Megna, Backscratchers; Nancy Milton, Progress Mediation; Alisa Okelo-Odongo, Pacific Gas & Electric; and Carmine Corral, River City Bank.

Retiring from the 2009 board are Past Chair Jack Williams, Vice Chair Terry Haupt, Michelle Odell of Kaiser Permanente; and Vickie Thomsen of River City Bank.

Steve Griffin becomes Chamber President

Marsha Braaten, Sharon Renzo, Smog ‘N Go receive awards

By Mary Lewis - Elk Grove Citizen Staff Writer