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 November 27, 2024 the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce ratified the election of officers as well as an amendment to the by-laws. Nominating Committee Chair Andrew Berk 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, Sam Hernandez, Jamie Khuu Inzunza, Thivantha “T” Kurera, Devin Robinson, Diane Staples, Karla Thompson, and Gabriel Vasquez. They will join these continuing mid-term Directors: Becky Cheng, Steve Dahl, Michele Downing, Jason Mak, Kris Morrish, Justin Prietto, Lawrence Sin, Jesse Torres, whose terms will expire in 2025.
The Executive Committee includes: Karie Reynolds, Andrew Berk, Steve Dahl, Michele Downing, Sam Hernandez, Jamie Khuu Inzunza, T Kurera, Jason Mak, Kris Morrish.
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 Diane Lombard, Office Administrator, 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.
Karie Reynolds
Board Chair
Karie Reynolds Communication
Jason Mak
Immediate Past Chair
Golden Oaks Apartments
Kris Morrish
Chair Elect
The Kutzer Company
Sam Hernandez
Secretary
Paradise General Contractors
T Kurera
Treasurer
D.U.D.E.S.
Steven P. Dahl, AIA
VP of Economic Development
Dahl Architects, Inc.
Michele Downing
VP Membership
Compass
Andrew Berk
Vice President
Avison Young Commercial Real Estate
Jamie Khuu Inzunza
Vice President
Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta
Becky Cheng
Director
Athens Services
Justin Prietto
Director
Lost Parrot Cafe
The Daily by HC
Devin Robinson
Director
JP Morgan Securities
Lawrence Sin
Director
Core Benefits
Diane Staples
Director
Retreat
Karla Thompson
Director
SmileHaus Orthodontics
Jesse Torres
Director
ArroyoWest LLC
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.
Andrew Berk
Member
Avison Young Commercial Real Estate
Dwight Bond
Member
Workshop Design Collective
Janet Braun
City Council
City of South Pasadena
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
Domenica Megerdichian
Deputy City Manager
City of South Pasadena
Kris Morrish
Member
The Kutzer Company
Don Penman
City Manager
City of South Pasadena
Gary Pia
Member
Mission Street Wealth Planning
Mark Smeaton
Member
Crux Studio
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.
Dollie Chapman
Member
Dollie Chapman Design Planning
Becky Cheng
Representative
Judy Chu, Congressperson, 27th District
Patty Cortez
Representative
Upper San Gabriel Valley Water Mgmt District
Katrina Garcia
Representative
Upper San Gabriel Valley Water Mgmt District
Dalia Gomez
Representative
Clean Power Alliance
Kristine Kwong
Representative
Pasadena City College
Margie Martinez
Member
Vecinos de South Pasadena
Domenica Megerdichian
Representative
City of South Pasadena
Savannah Moore
Representative
Kathryn Barger, District 5 Supervisor
Erica Nam
Representative
California State Senator, 25th District
Candy Ng
Representative
L.A. County Assessor
Lanae O’Shields
Representative
Southern California Gas Company
Sam Park
Member
ReNew
Janna Philpot
Member
Vecinos de South Pasadena
Jeannette Soriano
Representative
Southern California Edison
Jennifer Tang
Representative
Assemblymember, 49th District
Jesse Torres
Member
ArroyoWest LLC
Mary Urqhart
Member
WISPPA
Tim Yeh
Member
Athens Services
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.
Gloria Bennett
Member
Young Stars Theatre
Chantal Garcia
Member
Stems
Jeanie Joe
Member
Sew Joe Stitch Lounge
Dennis Koba
Member
MA, LMFT
Wende Lee
Member
The Print Spot
Tracy Macrum
Member
Compass Realty
Carmine Sabatella
Member
The Agency
Juan Sarmiento
Member
New York Life
Kaiy Smith-Biesman
Member
Stems
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