Chamber Installs New Board to Return to "Hub" City

The Colton Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed its 2015 Board of Trustees and honored community business advocates during the annual Installation and Awards ceremony held March 24 at Pinnacle Peak Steak House in Colton. Observed for the first time during a luncheon event, Chamber Executive Director Chetay Catalano and President Tony Myrell were joined by NBC4 Southern California meteorologist Crystal Egger, master of ceremonies, to give the oath of office and recognize local business and civic leaders who have contributed to their community. Egger, a graduate of Colton High School, touched on the vast changes in Colton's business landscape through the years. "Everything's changing and I know Chetay is a big part of that, and the Chamber, and all the re-inventing that's going on," said Egger, who grew up in Grand Terrace. "I see how it's evolving and advancing. It's very exciting." San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos briefly spoke on how San Bernardino County has committed to supporting business countywide and how the Colton Chamber has contributed to a growing San Bernardino County economy. "San Bernardino County (has made) it one of our main priorities (to) protect small businesses," said Ramos. "The County has been working tirelessly to tap into markets and find new ways to bring businesses here to San Bernardino County and the city of Colton." The County is also seeing economic growth, shared Ramos, with mall vacancy percentages improving, as well as job creation. "We're starting to see the region as a whole...start to move forward, and see its neighbors in job creation," said Ramos. Colton City Mayor Richard De La Rosa administered the oath of office to the new Chamber Board of Directors and invited councilmembers to help pin commemorative City of Colton pins onto each board member. Before reading the oath, De La Rosa thanked the board for supporting local business. "You can't imagine the importance that you guys play," De La Rosa said. "(I) as the mayor, and my councilmembers, are very proud and very happy that you guys do a great job at making sure the businesses, small and large, are represented... Through your help and your dedication to your positions here, you...keep the connection between businesses and the city of Colton going." Myrell presented the Presidents Award to Shelley Burnach, re-installed last Tuesday as the board's vice president, who earned the distinction as Board Member of the Year. Republic Services was named the Business of the Year, with the award accepted by Andre Griggs, installed earlier that day as a Chamber Board Member; Edward Martinez was named Ambassador of the Year; Hampton Inn & Suites-Dominguez Plaza Hotel, LLC was named Chamber Member of the Year, accepted by John Stevens and Lesley Stevens; Jaime Ramirez was named as this year's Police Officer of the Year, with the award distributed by Interim Police Chief Mark Owens; and Dennis Baca was named as this year's Firefighter of the Year, with Fire Chief Tim McHargue presenting the award. "I am really excited about our new board," said Myrell in closing statements. "We look forward to bringing in new business and supporting our existing businesses in the future... Colton was called the Hub City. Let's bring it back." The 2015 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are: President Tony Myrell, Premier Medical Transportation; Vice President Shelley Burnach, Premier Medical Transportation; Treasurer Brian Chilstrom; Secretary Michelle Kapuscinski, Fiesta Village; Carlos Rodriguez, Ashley Furniture; Andre Griggs, Republic Services; Jerry Almendarez, Colton Joint Unified School District; Knea Hawley, Girl Scouts - San Gorgonio Council; Marcos Mata, Horace Mann Insurance; Margie Miller, City News Group; Nelky Rodriguez, Center for Employment Training; Gina Saady, House of Booze; and Chetay Catalano, Executive Director. The Chamber of Commerce thanked its sponsors: silver sponsor Inland Body and Paint Center, and patron sponsors So Cal Gas, the Colton Courier, Premier Medical Transportation, Fiesta Village and Republic Services.