pa r a m o u n t
PULSE BEAT ®
Paramount Chamber of Commerce (paramountchamber.com) • Serving the community since 1947 • June 2021
Paramount Chamber of Commerce (paramountchamber.com) • Serving the community since 1947 • July 2021
Chamber presents business awards, installs officers
O
n June 30, a beautiful sunlit day, the Paramount Chamber of Commerce installed its Board of Directors and officers and presented annual business awards at a wellattended open-air luncheon event on the Progress Park Plaza Patio. Last year’s installation was held virtually because of the pandemic, so it was both a delight and a relief to be able to get together again in person, to enjoy each other’s company and good food and to recognize Paramount businesses and leaders for their outstanding achievements during the past extraordinarily difficult year. The sponsor for the event was Weber Metals–Otto Fuchs Aerospace Group. The Chamber welcomed the following City of Paramount leaders to the luncheon: Mayor Brenda Olmos, Vice Mayor Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Councilmember Peggy Lemons, City Manager John Moreno, Assistant City Manager Andrew Vialpando, City Clerk Heidi Luce, City Finance Director Clyde Alexander, Public Safety Director Adriana Lopez, Public Works Director Adriana Figueroa, Community Services & Recreation Director David Johnson, Planning Director John Carver and Lieutenant Omar Camacho of the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department. Also attending was Diane Martinez, former Mayor of Paramount who now serves on the board of Paramount Unified School District. U.S. and California government representatives present were Cynthia Morales, representing U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Ernesto Castillo, representing State Senator Lena Gonzalez; Adrian Landa, representing California Assemblyman and Speaker Anthony Rendon; and Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang. Chamber President Alicia Valadez served as master of ceremonies. After thanking the Chamber Board of Directors for their “tireless efforts to strengthen the business community here in Paramount,” Alicia explained that since the pandemic had made normal events and activities impossible during the last year, the board had chosen to have last year’s officers continue serving in their positions: Alicia Valadez (Northgate Gonzalez Markets), President; Chris Rich (WaveFront Technologies), Senior Vice President; Queen Uchekwe (Weber Metals–an Otto Fuchs Company), Vice President; and Dr. Max Martinez, Treasurer. The photo below shows these officers, as well as other members of the board. Alicia offered a special recognition for Ben Berg (Transcom Communications), the Chamber’s past President, who was unable to attend because of an out-of-state family commitment. Alicia expressed gratitude to three valuable liaisons who work closely with the Chamber board: City Manager John Moreno, Paramount USD Interim Superintendent Rubin Frutos and Chamber Ambassador Chair Sam Kotob (Farmers Insurance–Kotob Agency). (Continued on page 6)
The Award of Excellence went to Paramount Care Foundation (PCF). From left: Paramount Mayor Brenda Olmos; Cynthia Morales, representing U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Ernesto Castillo, representing State Senator Lena Gonzalez; Michael McKown of PCF; Adrian Landa, representing California Assemblyman and Speaker Anthony Rendon; Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang; and Paramount Chamber of Commerce President Alicia Valadez of Northgate Gonzalez Markets.
The Mayor’s Award went to Modern Development Company. Accepting the award was Darren Kurkowski (fifth from left). See the first photo (above) for other names and titles.
The President’s Award went to Tony Manos of MPG Domino’s (fourth from left). See the first photo (above) for other names and titles.
Paramount Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is sworn in. From left: Gloria Gamino (Casa Gamino Mexican Restaurant); Leeor Alpern (World Energy Paramount), Jon Tanklage (Marukan Vinegar USA); Dr. Max Martinez, Treasurer; Tony Manos (MPG Domino’s); Chris Rich (WaveFront Technology), Senior Vice President; Queen Ucheckwe (Weber Metals), Vice President; Alicia Valadez (Northgate Gonzalez Markets), President; and Vicky Uisprapassorn (Vicky Professional Services). Not present for the photo: Ben Berg (Transcom Communications), Past President; Leonard Crespo (Total-Western, Inc.); Randy Gualajara (ACE Clearwater Inc.); David Lattimer (SC Fuels); and Mike Willis (Carlton Forge Works).
Paramount Chamber of Commerce 15357 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, California 90723 Telephone: 562-634-3980 paramountchamber.com
The Ambassador of the Year award went to Edwin Jacinto of Remax College Park (fourth from left). See the first photo (above) for other names and titles.