In 2004, some very business-minded individuals realized that having a Chamber of Commerce is vital to growing and sustaining a healthy business community. Hence, the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce was founded.
From a borrowed office in a local bank building, to a great storefront on Mission Street, the Chamber has become a collaborative, innovative and creative organization that works tirelessly for the local businesses. We utilize the unique characteristics of the South Pasadena community and work to create events and activities that encourage residents and visitors to Eat-Shop-Enjoy at South Pasadena businesses. The quarterly Arts Crawls are the very popular “neighborhood-night-on-the-town” events where businesses stay open later on a Saturday night and offer special events and activities. Our signature event, the Eclectic Music Festival & Arts Crawl, is a one-of-a-kind, grassroots event that brings arts of all genres to the streets of town. Bands, musicians, artists, food, galleries, activities for kids of all ages – bring people to the business district and they enjoy an afternoon and evening exploring and experiencing all that “is” South Pasadena.
We advocate for local businesses. We have several very active committees, and serve on several others. Together with the City staff, the Chamber is working on the economic development of the city, bringing in the right businesses to augment all that is already here, and encouraging the residents of the SGV to explore South Pas. Located at the South Pasadena station of the Metro Gold Line, with plenty of free parking, we invite you to Eat/Shop/Do in South Pasadena!
Mission Statement: To partner with businesses to support, promote and advocate for their interests; and to connect and build relationships, and attract people and businesses to South Pasadena.
At its Annual Meeting on October 3, 2022 the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce ratified the election of officers as well as an amendment to the by-laws. Nominating Committee Chair Michele Downing reported on the nominating committee’s work in selecting the slate of officers that was presented to the Chamber membership for a vote. Newly elected and reelected Board members for a two-year term include Andrew Berk, Jeff Burke, Camille DePedrini, Sam Hernandez, Jamie Khuu Inzunza, Gabriel Vasquez, and Karla Thompson. They will join these continuing mid-term Directors: Ed Chen, Steve Dahl, Michele Downing, Jason Mak, Elda Marquez, Kris Morrish, SaraRose Orlandini, Justin Prietto, Lawrence Sin, John Vandercook, whose terms will expire in 2023.
The Executive Committee includes: Andrew Berk, Sam Hernandez, Jamie Khuu Inzunza, Steve Dahl, Michele Downing, Kris Morrish, Karla Thompson and John Vandercook.
Directors are volunteers who provide leadership and expertise to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber Laurie Wheeler, and the Chamber staff, including Nichole Clark, Communications Manager and Sioe Scott, Bookkeeper. Since its incorporation in 2004 the Chamber has continued to advocate for businesses and created opportunities and connections between members as well as organizing events and activities to encourage people to explore and discover South Pasadena.
Jason Mak
Chair
Golden Oaks Apartments
Andrew Berk
Immediate Past Chair
Avison Young Commercial Real Estate
Kris Morrish
Treasurer
The Kutzer Company
John Vandercook
Secretary
South Pasadena Kiwanis
Steven P. Dahl, AIA
VP of Economic Development
Dahl Architects, Inc.
Michele Downing
VP Membership
Compass
Jamie Khuu Inzunza
Vice President
Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta
Karla Thompson, DDS
Vice President
SmileHaus Orthodontics
Jeffrey Burke
Director
BurkeTriolo Studio
Ed Chen
Director
Athens Services
Camille DePedrini
Director
Camille DePedrini Boutique
Sam Hernandez
Director
Paradise General Contractors
Elda Marquez
Director
Lowell & Vanderbilt
Justin Prietto
Director
Lost Parrot Cafe
Karie Reynolds
Director
Karie Reynolds Communication
Lawrence Sin
Director
Core Benefits
Gabriel Vazquez
Director
Institute for the Redesign of Learning
Laurie Wheeler
President & CEO
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber stays active and engaged through the volunteer efforts of its membership. Here are some of the opportunities to get involved in the community that are available to Chamber members.
The objective of the Economic Development Committee is to create a vision for a healthy local economy and work to attract and retain top quality businesses in South Pasadena.
Steven P. Dahl
Committee Chair
Dahl Architects, Inc.
Angelica Frausto-Lupo
Director of Community Development
City of South Pasadena
Andrew Berk
Member
Avison Young Commercial Real Estate
Dwight Bond
Member
Workshop Design Collective
Jeff Burke
Member
BurkeTriolo Studios
Dollie Chapman
Member
Dollie Chapman Design Planning
Dan Evans
Member
Evans & Associates
Sam Hernandez
Member
Paradise General Contractors
Jamie Khuu Inzunza
Member
Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta
Donald Loewel
Representative
Small Business Development Center
Dave Lubs
Member
South Pasadena Unified School District
Jason Mak
Member
Golden Oaks Senior Apartments
Kris Morrish
Member
The Kutzer Company
Gary Pia
Member
Mission Street Wealth Planning
Jon Primuth
City Council
City of South Pasadena
Mark Smeaton
Member
Crux Studio
Rebecca Thompson
Member
Crux Studio
John Vandercook
Member
South Pasadena Kiwanis
Laurie Wheeler
President/CEO
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
The objective of the Legislative Affairs Committee is to represent the business community with all levels of government in an effective, timely fashion and to provide a communications link between business and government.
Ed Chen
Member
Athens Services
Becky Cheng
Representative
Judy Chu, Congressperson, 27th District
Nichol Delgado
Representative
Upper San Gabriel Valley Water Mgmt District
Catherine (Cat) Del Rosario
Representative
Chris Holden, Assemblymember, 41st District
David Kim
Representative
Anthony Portantino, California State Senator, 25th District
Diana Mahmud
City Council
City of South Pasadena
Savannah Moore
Representative
Kathryn Barger, District 5 Supervisor
Jon Primuth
City Council
City of South Pasadena
Helen Romero Shaw
Representative
Southern California Gas Company
Jeannette Soriano
Representative
Southern California Edison
John Vandercook
Member
Reimagine Your Home
Linda Wah
Representative
Pasadena City College Area 5 Trustee
Rainbow Yeung
Representative
SCAQMD
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Laurie Wheeler
President/CEO
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
The objective of the Ambassador Committee is to welcome all new members to the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, provide support for ribbon-cuttings and other recognition events, and to assist in the planning and execution of all mixers, networking breakfasts and special events.
Laurie Astle
Member
Reimage Your Home
Gloria Bennett
Member
Young Stars Theatre
Francisco Cardenas
Member
Wells Fargo
Celinda Grande
Member
Priority One Credit Union
Jeanie Joe
Member
Sew Joe Stitch Lounge
Ivonne Lanzas
Member
Welcome Wagon
Tracy Macrum
Member
Compass Realty
Lawrence Sin
Member
Core Benefits
Derek Vaughan
Member
South Pasadena Homes
Laurie Wheeler
President/CEO
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
The objective of Events Committee is to plan and execute major annual city-wide events on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. These events include the Eclectic Music Festival in the Spring and Arts Crawls throughout the year.
Laurie Wheeler
Chair
President/CEO
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
Cathy Billings
Assistant Director of Library
City of South Pasadena
Nichole Clark
Communications Manager
South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce
Brad Colerick
Member
Deepmix
Ximena Dussan
Member
Deepmix
Jamie Khuu Inzunza
Member
Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza and Pasta
Jeanie Joe
Member
Sew Joe
Kris Morrish
Member
The Kutzer Company
The Chamber is a nonprofit membership organization working to create a vibrant local economy, celebrate the arts and connect the community.
We partner with businesses to support, promote and advocate for their interests; and to connect and build relationships and attract people to South Pasadena.
MAIL:
PO Box 3446
South Pasadena, CA 91031
OFFICE:
1121 Mission Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030
Tuesday – Friday
10am – 5pm or by Appointment.
PHONE:
(626) 441-2339