MEMBER NEWS
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WESTMINSTER SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNRAISING FOR "LEARNING FOR LIFE" - Click here for more info

2008 ANNUAL INSTALLATION & BUSINESS AWARDS
 
2008-2009 Officers:
President: Sandra McClure, Baskin Robbins
President-Elect: Frances Nguyen, Golden Trophy & Awards
Chief Financial Officer/Corporate Secretary: Gloria Reyes, Abrazar, Inc.
Co-Vice Presidents, Business Education:
   Frank Cobo, Cobo-Care
   Jack Wanstreet, Bolsa Chica Self Storage
Vice President, Membership: Randy Reay, Tropic Shield Mobile Detailing
Vice President, Legislation: Joanne Vogelsang, Huntington Westminster - Senior Apartment Homes
Vice President, Community: Robyn Sottile, Girl Scout Council of Orange County
Past President: Debra Wanbaugh, First Bank

Directors, Class of 2008-2011:
Quy Huynh, Countrywide Home Loans
Theresa Kasprzyk, American Family Housing
Ken Kil, Dave's Flowers
Chuck Keough, Outback Steakhouse
Jacko Luong, Avant Outdoor Advertising
Mickey Morrissey, Minuteman Press
Lori Pappas, Uncle Pete's Cafe
Shirl Stewart, Imagination Garden Creations
Cindy Villareal, Camino Real GMC/Pontiac/Buick

MAJOR BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
FIRST BANK

   First Banks Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates offer a vast portfolio of products and services in both the business and personal financial service arenas.  Personal service has been the foundation of their growth. First Bank in Westminster is one part of this, the largest family-owned bank in the USA with the family’s guarantee the bank is not for sale. First Banks Inc., the 57th largest bank in the United States for domestic Commercial and Industrial loans has been in business for 100 years and has over $10 billion in assets.  The bank is community-oriented with big bank capacity, and prides itself with their quick response, integrity, professionalism, and experience.
The management and staff of the First Bank Westminster store have been very actively involved in the Westminster community. They have supported and made  donations to Women Helping Women, Boys & Girls Club of Westminster, Junior Achievement, Westminster Senior Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Banking Classes at Orange County One-Stop Center in Westminster and Westminster Pony Baseball. In addition, they have raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
   Managers have served on the Board of Directors of Boys & Girls Club of Westminster and Debra Wanbaugh was the Westminster Chamber of Commerce 2007-2008 President. Many of the First Bank staff have attended Chamber Networking Breakfasts, Luncheons, Mixers and Table Tops, numerous  Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings, major events and have served on various Chamber event Committees. Those committees have included the Salute to Seniors Luncheon, Taste & Tour of Little Saigon, Mayoral & City Council Candidate’s Forum, Holiday Luncheon, Open House, and Orange County’s Largest Mixers. First Bank has donated door prizes and sponsored Public Service Award recipients and nominees for Citizen of the Year as well as a 2008 Bowling for Business Tournament team.
   It’s no wonder that the Westminster Chamber of Commerce has named First Bank of Westminster the 2007 Major Business of the Year!

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
BOLSA CHICA SELF STORAGE

   Bolsa Chica Self Storage opened for business August 18, 2005, with the first of the two planned buildings. After making the strategic decision to construct the property as the safest, state-of-the-art storage facility in the country, the owners proceeded—disregarding time, money and effort and impressing the City of Westminster building department in the process. The second building was opened in May of 2006. Bolsa Chica Self Storage is located in an ideal location at 13090 Old Bolsa Chica Road in Westminster. With the motto “Treat Other People as You Want to Be Treated”, owners and staff have enjoyed watching the facility grow and prosper.
   The impressive structure resembles more of a hotel than your typical storage building. More than simply offering storage space, moving supplies and accessories, management’s goal was to provide a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere and to make each client’s visit a pleasant experience. To that end, Bolsa Chica Self Storage was one of the first facilities to offer handicapped accessible units in the United States. However, the customers most keenly appreciate the security offered. More than 150 surveillance cameras are located throughout the facility and a panel of monitors lines the back wall of the office reception area. As a result, Bolsa Chica Self Storage has been featured in several trade magazines including “The Globe” and “Mini-Storage Messenger.”
   Owner Willis Miller made sure that Bolsa Chica Self Storage has become an active part of the community and the Chamber by giving back to the city of Westminster, a city that he has done business in for more than 50 years.  Since opening the facility Bolsa Chica Self Storage has supported the Westminster Mayor’s Ball—a fundraising event benefiting the Rose Center Foundation, donated to the “Backpacks for Success” program for the Community Action Partnership of Orange County, provided fund raiser storage units for local high schools and churches, taken part in Business Expos and Table Tops, was a Presenting   Sponsor of the 2008 Public Service Awards Luncheon and much more.
   The owners and staff of Bolsa Chica Self Storage have also given their time to the community and the Chamber. Director of Operations, Brad Sublett, now serves on the Rose Center Foundation Board. During the building and essential first years of the business, Willis Miller and Brad Sublett produced the award-winning movie, “Beautiful Dreamer.” They spent valuable, but profitable, time promoting the family-values movie set in World War II at numerous film festivals, bringing home 13 awards from ten festivals. Manager Jack Wanstreet serves on the Board of Westminster Chamber of Commerce and he and his wife Janet have served on numerous Chamber event committees.
   For these reasons and more, Westminster Chamber of Commerce is proud to name Bolsa Chica Self Storage the Small Business of the Year!

CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR
RANDY REAY
Tropic Shield Mobile Detailing

   Each year the Chamber presents the Chamber Member of the Year award to an individual who has gone well above and beyond the call of duty in service to Westminster Chamber of Commerce. Putting in extraordinary effort is standard procedure for Randy Reay.
Randy is known for his constant commitment to the Chamber. This year alone, Reay attended Networking Breakfasts, Luncheons and Mixers.  As Vice President of Membership, he attended numerous Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings.  Other Committee members know his easy demeanor, humor and strong leadership abilities are three of the reasons they find it a pleasure to work with him.  As a member of the Chamber Board of Directors, Reay regularly attended Board meetings. His insights as a small business owner have always been presented with his typical cheerful manner.
   Randy has served as the Chairperson of several Committees as well including the Taste & Tour of Little Saigon Reception Committee  and Memorial Day Wreath Laying Committee.  Randy does not know the meaning of giving up and hates to give in. This year, even in the aftermath of a serious arm injury, he followed through on his commitment to serve the Chamber as the Co-Chair of the Chamber display at Orange County Largest Mixer V.  He was on hand to assemble the display area and stayed at the event another 5 hours to oversee it’s dismantling.  To say he  has a great deal of energy, strength and fortitude is an understatement.
   For these reasons and much more, Westminster Chamber of Commerce is proud to name Randy Reay of Tropic Shield Mobile Detailing the 2007-2008 Chamber Member of the Year!