An Evening Honoring Outgoing President, Citizen of Year, and Corporate Community Contributor
The collective glances around the ballroom were the silent agreements with Vice President Andrew Cooper’s remark that the impressive crowd was “dressed to the nines.” Buoyant with anticipation for the esteemed evening, the 220 guests at the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s Installation Dinner did not remain silent for long as Andrew transitioned his introductory commentary with a pun that the “multi-layered cake in the kitchen is already in tiers.” It was truly a night for many high-spirited laughs as well as many effectively spirited cocktails in honor of celebrating the spanning accomplishments of outgoing Chamber president Andrew Gregson, the Arcadia Citizen of the Year Bruce McCallum, and the Corporate Community Contributor Matt Denny’s Ale House Restaurant. The annual event on Thursday (March 31, 2016) was once again hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and once again in true Chamber fashion, it brought a community together with one simple and profound purpose: gratitude.
Andrew Cooper had the ballroom buzzing when came the occasions to thank Immediate Past President Andrew Gregson of the Executive Factor, Arcadia Citizen of the Year Bruce McCallum, and Corporate Community Contributor Matt Denny’s Ale House Restaurant. Cooper highlighted each award recipients’ accomplishments which collectively included overseeing the most successful Taste of Arcadia, hosting athletes of the Special Olympic Games, raising over $600,000 for children’s cancer research, implementing new membership plaques, hiring the new Chamber CEO Karen Mac Nair, and most importantly always offering unyielding support to the Chamber’s operations and community at large. Dignitaries and their representatives stepped forward with their formal recognitions and certificates including Congresswoman Judy Chu, Senator Bob Huff, Adam Hsu on behalf of Assemblymember Ed Chau, Brian Mejia on behalf of Supervisor Antonovich, and Mayor Gary Kovacic who interjected that each recipient is “special enough to get the good plaque” from the city. Clayton Arrick on behalf of Senator Ed Hernandez could not attend, however President Vicki Knight presented the certificate in accordance.
The installation of the board of directors and executive board was led by Mayor Gary Kovacic. He called upon the remaining members of the boards, civic representatives, presidential appointments, and the newly-elected to stand at the front of the stage. Over a dozen board of directors members in attendance pledged individually and collectively to fulfill their duties and responsibilities with the raising of their right hands. New President Vicki Knight of Century Rooter Services & Plumbing was sworn in along with her standing executive committee who vowed to guide and direct the Chamber’s operations.
