Chamber Weekly // News & Events

Out and About

Donna Visits 9Round Torrance

In this Out and About column, I chose to feature a business that often benefits from New Year’s resolutions. A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western World but also found in the Eastern World, in which a person resolves to continue good practices, change an undesired trait or behavior, accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve their life at the start of a new year.

Individuals often make resolutions to get in better shape, to lose weight or to take a more positive approach to things. In speaking with Dan Hawkins, owner of 9Round, I learned so much in the 45-minute time we spent together. Read More...

News

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Documents and Webpages

Dear LA County Sector Partners,

The following documents and webpages have been updated to include information regarding CDC's latest booster dose changes:

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility table - summarizes eligible ages for primary, additional and booster doses for FDA approved/authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccine: When You've Been Fully Vaccinated webpage - summarizes information on what to expect after and the benefits of being fully vaccinated.

CalChamber Announces Opposition to California Single-Payer Health Care Bill

The California Chamber of Commerce is opposing a bill that will increase taxes and disrupt the health care upon which millions of Californians rely at the worst possible time.

AB 1400 (Kalra; D-San Jose) Penalizes responsible employers and individuals and results in hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes on all Californians and California businesses by creating a new single-payer government-run, multibillion-dollar health care system.

Citizens Redistricting Commission Delivers Updated Political Maps in Record Time

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission completed its once-every-decade constitutional duty on December 27, 2021, when it submitted final maps to the Secretary of State that detail new boundaries for 80 Assembly members, 40 senators, 52 congressional representatives and four members of the Board of Equalization.

Remember that California voters, with backing from the California Chamber of Commerce, took the job of drawing political lines away from the Legislature and handed it to an independent commission with the passage of Propositions 17 and 20. Read More...

Senator Ben Allen Welcomed by Giuliano & Gyori

Senator Ben Allen, 26th District, recently spent time at two Torrance businesses, Gaetano's Restaurant and Pelican Products, Inc. The Senator engaged with Gaetano's owner Vince Giuliano on a variety of topics including the history of Gaetano's, challenges encountered during the pandemic and ways in which he and others might be able to provide resources in the future.

Senator Allen was provided a tour of Pelican Products, Inc. by President & CEO Phil Gyori. Gyori provided an initial briefing on the various products that Pelican manufactures prior to touring the facility. While on the tour, Gyori explained the processes of manufacturing and commented on Pelican's recycling efforts.

Accompanying Senator Allen on the visits were District Representatives Olina Wibroe Benson and Radmehr Nowroozi. Appreciation is extended to Sharon Ward, Director of Corporate Communications, Pelican Products, Inc., for arranging the tour of Pelican.

Left photo: Senator Ben Allen, 26th District (far right) is joined by Vince Giuliano, owner of Gaetano's Restaurant and Donna Duperron, CEO, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce.

Right photo: Senator Ben Allen, 26th District (far right) is welcomed by Phil Gyori, President and CEO of Pelican Products, Inc.

Thank you Labor Law Experts

Mistee Ruiz and Karl Schmidt

The California Labor Law Update is a highly anticipated event hosted by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) that addresses yearly changes to labor law that may affect members.

Mistee Ruiz, TACC Board Member, Founder and Chief People Officer of Facio, LLC, and Karl Schmidt, Chairman and General Counsel, Parker, Milliken, Clark, O’Hara & Samuelian, APC will be the speakers for this year’s event on January 12.

Government Affairs Policy (GAP) group to meet Thursday

The Chamber’s Government Affairs Policy (GAP) group will meet virtually this Thursday at 12:00 noon. Ken Jenkins, Chief Water Resource Sustainability Officer, California Water Service Company will provide an update on the drought, conservation, and storage.

Member Minute Returning to Next Week

Member Minute is a benefit available to all Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce members as a marketing tool to promote business events, special offers, news and more! To participate, the cost is $50 to place a one page flyer created by the member to be featured in Member Minute. Member Minute is sent out every Friday. To place an ad in an upcoming issue of Member Minute, please contact Monica at (310) 540–5860, or monica@torrancechamber.com

Women in Business to Discuss Mentoring in January

The chamber is excited to host its first Women in Business (WIB) meeting of the year. The meeting will be hosted by co-chairs Jeanne Imbrogno (AMAG Technology, Inc.), Sara Myers (The Volunteer Center South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach), and Nadia Sandovol (DAUM Commercial Real Estate).

The Women in Business program seeks to support women as they navigate their role in today’s workforce by providing a monthly forum for members to engage each other, form lasting relationships, and increase their career potential and growth. The topic for January is ‘The Importance of Mentoring’.

”In my opinion, mentoring is an important component of a person’s professional development. Mentors can open doors, make introductions, and instill confidence in their mentees. They can also help a mentee learn to “read the room” and navigate the politics of the office environment”, commented Jeanne Imbrogno, co-chair.

The relatability of topics discussed has increased popularity for Women in Business, making it one of the most frequently attended monthly meetings offered by the chamber. Chamber members may Register here before January 14 to participate.

Jeanne Imbrogno, Sara Myers, Nadia Sandoval

Ambassador Students Organize and Lead Chapel

by Donna Duperron

Throughout the year, I am invited to attend various events and activities. As a result of attendance, I am able to see first-first hand the businesses, organizations and schools that we have in our community.

In December, I was invited to attend Ambassador Christian Schools Christmas Chapel. This Chapel was student organized and led. Four students were asked to read a scripture passage and then provide a 2 to 3-minute devotional on the topic they were given that represented Advent candles. The candles on the Advent wreath symbolize faith, hope. Love and joy. Teachers and guests also joined together in singing several songs.

Take Me Back Tuesday:

Chamber Celebrates 100th Anniversary

On Thursday, April 24, 2014, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100th anniversary in service to the Torrance community. The event, in partnership with Leadership Torrance and co-hosted by UCLA Health, celebrated the Chamber's history, featuring memorabilia from the Torrance Historical Society and Museum. Fifteen local business leaders were honored for their leadership and good work in the community.

These 15 add to a running list of a previous 60 that were acknowledged at the Chamber's 60th anniversary of incorporation. Honored in 2014 were Bob and Laurie Brandt, Merv Watkins, Craig Leach, Tei-fu and Oi-Lin Chen, Frank Scotto, Joe Giacomin, Kirk Rossberg, Kurt Robinson, Mark Applegate, Michael Hunn, Michael Rouse, Michael Shafer, Richard and Melainie Lundquist, Steve Morikawa and Vic Edelbrock.