From left, Merced County Supervisor Jerry O'Banion presents Freita Chounet with the Wilma Keokuk Chamber Volunteer of the Year award Tuesday while California Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, and representatives from State Senator Jeff Denham, R-Merced, and U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, look on.
 

By Andrew Green
AGREEN@LOSBANOSENTERPRISE.COM

Last Updated: June 22, 2007, 01:05:41 AM PDT

The Los Baños Chamber of Commerce honored three members of the business community and welcomed several new officers at its annual Installation of Officers ceremony Wednesday at Españas restaurant.
This year, Freita Chounet was honored with the Wilma Keokuk Chamber Volunteer of the Year award. Debbie Bento-Juardo of Washington Mutual was chosen as Business Person of the Year and the Los Baños Flower Shop was named Business of the Year.

Each of the honorees were given special plaques and commendations from U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, State Senator Jeff Denham, R-Merced, Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, and Merced County Supervisor Jerry O'Banion. This year was the first time nominations for Business Person of the Year and Business of the Year awards were opened to the public.

Gene Lieb, publisher of the Los Baños Enterprise, was named as the chamber's President for the 2007-2008 year. As president, Lieb will be responsible for overseeing an organization that has undergone significant growth and changes as Los Baños celebrates its centennial anniversary and more big box retailers become a part of the local business community.

In his acceptance speech, Lieb said he would work to meet the needs and challenges that will accompany the city's growth.

"I thank you for the opportunity of being the Chamber President. I'm not looking at re-inventing the wheel or making any radical changes- although I'm sure there will be a few changes," Lieb said. "What I would like to do is to work with the business community and the city and county officials to help guide and grow all of our businesses."

Several other new officers were also sworn in Wednesday. Geneva Brett of Century 21 Henderson and Associates was named First Vice President, Jeni Brazil of TransCounty Title as Secretary and Kathy Ballard of Baskin Robbins as Treasurer. Eight new directors were sworn in to the chamber's leadership.

Outgoing President John Whala said Los Baños' business demographics have undergone several changes as Lowe's, The Home Depot, Chili's and In-Shape City have moved in this year. Other chain retailers, including Target and Applebees are scheduled to arrive within the next year.

Although each of the large retailers have joined the chamber, Whala said serving smaller businesses will still be a top priority for the chamber, which hosted the "Surviving the Big Boxes" workshop in January.

"While we have many more big stores coming in, the backbone of the chamber is small business, the mom and pop stores is what keeps the chamber going," he said. "It's great to have the bigger stores but it's the mom and pops that keep the chamber alive....the past year has been really, really great."

Whala said the chamber is also working to promote special events this year, including two downtown street fairs, 12 monthly mixers and the Henry Miller Wild West weekend this fall. The chamber's next event will be coordinating local fireworks sales and the Old Fashioned Fourth of July event at the Los Baños Fairgrounds.

New leadership was put in place as organization prepares for another
Enterprise reporter Andrew Green can be reached at 826-3831 ext. 108, or at agreen@losbanosenterprise.com.