North Orange County Chamber (NOCC) installed its 2019-2020 Board of Directors at the Business Excellence & Leadership Awards at Summit House on June 19. Jennifer Fitzgerald, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Fullerton, introduced the executive committee and board of directors and officiated the ceremony.
Michael Williams, incoming chair of the board, recognized the organization’s accomplishments and laid out his plans for the upcoming year. Joining Williams as officers for the coming year are Cherry Li-Bugg, North Orange County Community College District, Chair Elect; Stan S. Kwak, Voit Real Estate Services, Vice Chair; Dru Ann Copping, St. Jude Medical Center, Vice Chair Finance; and Javier Solis, Holiday Inn Buena Park, Past Chair. Also joining the organization’s executive committee are Sueling Chen of Arborland Education Center and Carlos Salazar of Salazar Associates/Promotown.
Those joining the board for the first time include April Barnes of Speech and Language Development Center, Kerri Clark of Rowntree Gardens, Kelley Lee of Southern California Edison, Josee Minero of AtWork Personnel Services and Jim Ripley of RAI Wealth Management.
April Barnes, Director of Development for the non-profit therapy center for children with special needs, has over 15 years of event planning experience. She has been an active member of the Irvine, Newport Beach and Signal Hill Chambers, and has served as president of the Long Beach Chamber’s Business Council.
Kerri Clark, Director of Operations, has coordinated a wide range of events and activity programs for the retirement community that specializes in integrated services and a full spectrum of care to meet the needs of people as they age. Her experience will allow her to offer her expertise toward the events and programs managed by the Chamber.
Kelley Lee, Government Relations Manager for the largest subsidiary of Edison International, served as staff for the California State Assembly as well as the Orange County Board of Supervisors before joining the utility. Her government experience will offer a major contribution to the government affairs/policy committee.
Josee Minero is the president and owner of an employment agency with offices throughout Orange County. Her community involvement includes the Ronald McDonald Foundation, the Golf Tournament and more. She will be contributing 34 years of staffing experience to the membership and workforce development committees.
Jim Ripley, president of the registered investment advisory firm in Fullerton, is a longstanding member and current Vocational Director of the Rotary Club of Fullerton. Ripley is furthering his involvement in the Fullerton community as he begins his term on the Chamber board.
Other members of the Board of Directors who will be continuing service include Tami Bui of Cal State Fullerton, Alex Burrola of FSB Core Strategies, Christopher DeCaro of Kneadle, Helen Eligio of Farmers & Merchants Bank, Kevin Pendergraft of Credit Union of Southern California, and Katie Wanamaker of M&D Properties/The Source.
NOCC thanked outgoing board members Marty Burbank, JD, LLM, Attorney with OC Elder Law; Rosalina Davis, owner of Tlaquepaque Restaurant in Placentia; and Emily France, Public Affairs Manager of SoCal Gas, for their commitment and service. Burbank and France, who each served as Chair of the Chamber during their six-year terms of office, were each presented custom glass pieces commissioned by NOCC from the Cal State Fullerton Art Department.
