San Jose Chamber of Commerce announces 2024 Community Impact Award Recipients

Jan 28, 2024 | Books, Business

2024 Inaugural is sold-out and registration closed

2024 Inaugural is sold-out and registration closed

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jan. 25, 2024 – PRLog — The San Jose Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the recipients of the Community Impact Awards: Business of the Year: Adobe; Non-Profit of the Year: Breakthrough Silicon Valley; Business Executive of the Year: Thang Do; Leadership San Jose Alumni of the Year: Chris Wilder. These awards recognize the innovative and impactful endeavors of businesses and organizations that have been instrumental in shaping the economic landscape of our city. The awards are given as part of the formal program at this evening’s 2024 Inaugural, a signature Chamber event.

“Each of our award recipients represent the best that San Jose has to offer,” said Leah Toeniskoetter, Chamber president & ceo. “At the heart of our community is a network of energizing, dedicated individuals and businesses that strive to make San Jose a better place to live and work. Today, we are proud to honor the impactful work of these great leaders.”

Business of the Year: Adobe
With the opening of the company’s 18-story Founders Tower in March 2023, Adobe’s has firmly established its San Jose headquarters by doubling its office space. As one of Silicon Valley’s largest employers, Adobe continues to grow its local workforce, and the company eventually plans to employ 7,000 people in Downtown San Jose. Adobe continually supports local nonprofits and was ranked #6 on Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 2023 list of Corporate Philanthropists. Most recently, The San José Public Art Program in association with Adobe, commissioned the creation of hand-forged artwork for the loading dock at Adobe’s new Almaden Tower.

Non-Profit of the Year: Breakthrough Silicon Valley
Breakthrough Silicon Valley (BTSV) is a college pathway program that prepares highly motivated students from under-resourced communities to become first-generation college graduates and the next generation of leaders, educators, and advocates for equity. Working in the Silicon Valley since 2002, Breakthrough elevates communities by providing the tools and support systems students and families need to build a road to college and beyond, reaching more than five hundred students and forty young educators every year. Of the 2,100+ students served by Breakthrough so far, 99% of graduates have enrolled in college. Looking ahead, Breakthrough’s Vision 2025 initiative aims to bolster its peer-mentorship approach, extend its impact, and crystallize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into the DNA of the organization.

Business Executive of the Year: Thang Do
A vigorous advocate for Downtown San Jose, nationally-recognized architect, and Vietnamese American community leader, Thang Do led Aedis Architects—a San Jose-based architectural firm specializing in the design of educational institutions—for thirty years. He designed and assisted in the building of the Vietnamese American Service Center in Little Saigon. Do later purchased a historic building, which was rebuilt into an urban food hall in SoFA Market and created a hub of activity in our downtown arts district. Do served as cofounder of PIVOT, San Jose planning commissioner, and as a board member of SPUR.

Leadership San Jose Alumni of the Year: Chris Wilder
Chris Wilder’s 40-year career in the public benefit sector began as a consumer activist (Fund for Public Interest Research, 1990-1996), running the Vanished Children’s Alliance (1996-1999), a national missing children’s agency, leading City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley – the nation’s premiere AmeriCorps program (1999-2003), then joining the VMC Foundation where he served the public health community for 18 years as Executive Director, bringing in more than $100 million for Santa Clara County’s public healthcare system. In 2008, he was a driving force behind the campaign for Measure A, which generated $840 million to build VMC’s Sobrato Pavilion, as well as a Downtown San Jose health center. After suffering from a stroke in 2021 and subsequently retiring, his impact on the community continues as he proudly serves on the boards of NorCal SCI and the Stroke Awareness Foundation.

About the San Jose Chamber of Commerce
Serving the San Jose metro region as the leading voice of business since 1886, the San Jose Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest and most respected chambers on the West Coast. A catalyst for business growth and development, the Chamber is a convener of leaders and influencers, a champion for a stronger economy, and focused on strengthening the quality of life in one of the most significant regions in the world. The Chamber is committed to building a board and membership that is value-based, diverse, and participatory. To learn more, visit https://sjchamber.com/.

San José Chamber Welcomes 2023 Board Chair

Jan 27, 2023 | Books, Business

The San José Chamber of Commerce is the Silicon Valley’s largest and oldest chamber of commerce. Utilizing multiple lines of business, the SJ Chamber attracts, uplifts, and protects its members.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jan. 25, 2023 – PRLog — San José Chamber Board of Directors named Dee Ann Harn as Board Chair for 2023. Dee Ann has served on the San José Chamber Board of Directors since 2019, most recently as Vice Chair and will replace Tony Mirenda of Blach Construction.

“For over four decades, RFI and our team has been a member of the San José business community. Throughout that time, we have been engaged with the San José Chamber of Commerce because of their willingness to take on the community issues that we need addressed so we can focus on running and growing our business.” Dee Ann Shared.

“In the year ahead, the Chamber’s ability to address the critical needs of our local business community is going to take on an increased importance, and I am excited to be stepping into this leadership role, for this essential organization, at this crucial time”.

Dee Ann Harn is the second-generation CEO/President of RFI Enterprises, Inc. RFI’s corporate office has been located in San José, California for over 40 years; and has offices serving Northern and Central California, Nevada, and Washington. Dee Ann has served in many capacities within RFI from administrative, central station operator, sales, and even janitorial in the early years.

She is a member of the senior leadership team, committed to maintaining RFI’s status as a highly ranked member of the Top 100 Systems Integrators in SDM’s Magazine’s annual survey since its inception in 1997. In addition, RFI has been consistently recognized as one of the top 25 Family Owned Businesses by Silicon Valley/San José Business Journal.

Currently, Dee Ann is actively involved in SIA’s Women in Security, ESA’s Executive Management Professionals group, past Vice President of ESA’s Executive Board, and 2023, Chair of San José Chamber of Commerce. In 2018, in order to better serve RFI, Dee Ann obtained her certification as a SHRM – SCP, (Society of Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional).

Derrick Seaver, President and CEO of the San José Chamber expresses his excitement for the coming year, “The San José Chamber of Commerce could not be more excited to have Dee Ann Harn as Chair of our Board of Directors in 2023. In fact, we could hardly ask for a better leader at this particular time.”

“As a business owner and CEO herself, Dee Ann personally experiences the everyday challenges being faced by businesses of all sizes in San José, and also knows the phenomenal opportunities that exist for local business as our city continues its recovery. This knowledge, experience and expertise will be invaluable as we as an organization work throughout 2023 to provide assistance to the business community in what is looking like a trying economic time.”

About The San José Chamber:

The San José Chamber of Commerce is the Silicon Valley’s largest and oldest chamber of commerce.  Utilizing multiple lines of business, the SJ Chamber attracts, uplifts, and protects its members through programs and events that provide network building, advocacy, community engagement, economic development, and political action. The SJ Chamber has a fundamental belief that when businesses succeed, our community thrives.

www.SJChamber.com

Contact
Crystal Conway | Director of Marketing & Communications
***@sjchamber.com

Popular Chamber Leader Leaving Silicon Valley

Jan 13, 2023 | Books, Business

Silicon Valley Central Chamber’s President/CEO is leaving Silicon Valley for a bigger position in Dallas, TX.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Jan. 11, 2023 – PRLog — Christian D. Malesic, the highly respected President/CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber (SVC Chamber) has accepted a new position in Texas with greater responsibility and reach. Malesic led the chamber, and the bay area business community, through the hardest years in its 75-year history having joined the chamber at the beginning of the pandemic. He has been selected as the next Executive Director of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Greater Dallas, TX, one of the largest of the 85 BOMA associations nationwide.

“We are saddened with the departure of our President & CEO, Christian Malesic, who has raised the bar for the Silicon Valley Central Chamber over the last 2 years,” shared John Elwood, Chair of the Board of Directors. “His tireless leadership helped the SVC Chamber continue to play a significant role in the business community while facing unprecedented challenges like the pandemic which impacted every part of our lives. We wish Mr. Malesic all the best in his future endeavors.”

During his time in Silicon Valley, Malesic became a familiar face in the media, always making himself and the chamber available for press inquiries and commentary of the topics of the day. He widened the chamber’s footprint to a regional presence on the political and business stages of Silicon Valley while growing the membership and improving the financial position as many other businesses were failing.

Malesic is best known for ending a 3-year legal battle between the City of Santa Clara and the SVC Chamber in under 5-months. The settlement he negotiated between the two parties was so appeasing that both the Santa Clara City Council and the SVC Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept the terms exactly as presented. The city and chamber are now working closely together to improve the business community and services for startups.

“As an electrical engineer turned businessman from the east coast, Silicon Valley has always been my mecca.” said Malesic. “It was serendipity that I became available as the SVC Chamber needed my particular skillset as a Turnaround CEO. I am proud and pleased with my contributions to this strong entrepreneurial business community.”

The Board of Directors has formed an internal Search Committee, led by Elwood, to find Malesic’s replacement. The SVC Chamber is stronger than it has ever been. The new CEO will have a great foundation on which to build to take the chamber to new heights.

“The SVC Chamber has made a broad outreach for candidates to fill the President/CEO’s role,” added Board Chair Elwood. “We anticipate the chamber making an announcement in the very near future.”

About Silicon Valley Central Chamber:
For over seventy-five years, the SVC Chamber has served the Silicon Valley business community as influential advocates by supporting, connecting, and educating for the growth and sustainability of its business members. Located in Santa Clara, the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce is made up of a group of visionary business leaders that will help grow and shape the future of Silicon Valley.

For More Information:
https://members.svcentralchamber.com/news/details/popular…

The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Inc. Will Host a Gala to Assist Women-Led Businesses Affected by the Pandemic

Dec 11, 2021 | Business

 The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Inc. founded in 1926 as the oldest economic based chamber for blacks in the country has scheduled a gala for women leaders in business and society. The event is part of the Greenwood Chamber’s President/CEO Freeman Culver’s plan to raise funds to assist women-led businesses affected by the pandemic.

The GCC will honor the first elected African-American chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce (Rose Washington), the first African-American Mayor in the United States (Lelia Foley Davis), legacy of Clara Luper, the late Rosa Parks, and countless women who have made an impact in society.

The GCC gala will be hosted by Emmy award winning producer Corey Taylor and award winning journalist Chera Kimiko-Zoellner. There will be appearances and performances by R&B legend Johnny Gill along with Bishop Carlton Pearson, his daughter and Finalist from “The Four” Majeste Pearson, Tulsa Opera, and R&B Group Full Flava Kings.

The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Dr. Freeman Culver

918-585-2084

www.historictulsagreenwoodchamber.org/

ContactContact

The Greenwood Chamber of Commerce World-Class Women's Winter Gala

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