More than two hundred dignitaries, guests and friends of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Westin Pasadena on Friday evening, July 11, 2014, to celebrate the installation of Ben Green as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Chamber. Those attending included Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck and others.

Chamber Board Chair Ben Green is sworn in by Master of Ceremonies Chamber Board member George Falardeau.
Ben Green received a memento of the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and silent auction prior to the installation dinner and program. Items donated by Chamber of Commerce members included a stay at the luxurious Langham Huntington Hotel and Spa, tickets to local sporting events, including the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, a week’s stay in at the exclusive Washington Court Hotel in Washington D.C., golfing at Annandale Country Club, spa days, gift baskets, concert tickets and much more. 

Martin Nicholson of the Dusit D2 Constance Hotel and Reggie Woolridge of the Sheraton Pasadena with Pasadena Center's Mike Ross.
Chamber Board members Gail Schaper-Gordon and Wendy Anderson with Gail's husband Barry Gordon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ben Green is the CEO of the San Gabriel and Pomona Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Also sworn in were new Chamber Board member Margaret Martinez of CHAP Care and returning Board member Robin McCarthy of the Fire Family Foundation. The Executive Committee was also sworn in. Karl Bird of JPL, Ron Carter of The Carter Agency, Tom Daly of Christie, Parker and Hale, Michael D’Antuono of National Construction Alliance, Joan De Souza of Joan’s Candles and Home Decor, George Falardeau of Art Center College of Design, Ishmael Trone of F&M Business Center, Patty Waggoner of Amalgamated Bank, and Justin Tsui of TeamLogic IT comprise the Executive Committee.

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee
Thorson Buick & GMC was recognized as Corporate Citizen of the Year. General Manager Merlin Froyd received recognitions from George Falardeau and Mayor Bill Bogaard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Opel, Ph.D., of Huntington Medical Research Institutes was presented with the Board of Directors Award for service to the community. Thorson Buick and GMC of Pasadena received the Corporate Citizen of the Year award in the large business category. Pasadena Federal Credit Union received the Corporate Citizen of the Year award in the small business category.

Dr. William Opel of Huntington Medical Research Institutes received the Directors Award.
Ron Berry accepted the Corporate Citizen of the Year award for Pasadena Federal Credit Union.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each year the Chamber and member Christie, Parker and Hale award scholarships to emancipated foster youth who are matriculating from a local community college to a four-year college or university. This year two scholarships were awarded, one to Christopher Bice who will attend the University of La Verne and another to Selenia Lagos who will attend St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.

Ann Wang, Lauren Schneider and Thomas Daly of Christie, Parker and Hale present a scholarship to Christopher Bice. Christopher is an emancipated foster youth who is attending the University of La Verne as a junior this fall.
Guests enjoyed a silent auction and hosted cocktail reception before the Inaugural Gala dinner and program.
Kenneth Waggoner with his mother, Chamber Board member and past chair Patty Waggoner.