Downtown Advisory Board Kick-off
The Santa Rosa Chamber is committed to re-activating Santa Rosa’s Downtown in partnership with downtown businesses and property owners. Commencing with a door-to-door survey of selected businesses, the Chamber discovered a great deal of interest and support for more organization and leadership to address critical issues that impact economic development and the quality of life for those who work, play and live downtown.
With the approval of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, a Commission Statement and preliminary budget has been approved to form a Downtown Advisory Board. The Chamber’s Board of Directors will initially appoint seventeen businesspersons to the Advisory Board. Terms will be for three years and subsequent vacancies will be filled through a nominating and voting process. Focus areas for the Advisory Board currently include: Advocacy, Economic Development, and Marketing/Promotions.
The first meeting was held Wednesday, January 20 at the Chamber’s new office downtown. The initial Advisory Board members are listed below.
- Doug Van Dyke, E.R. Sawyer Jewelers (Chair)
- Natalie Balfour, Airport Business Center (Chair, Economic Development)
- Michael Hyman, The Pawn Advantage (Chair, Advocacy)
- Julie Kawahara, Kindred Fair Trade Handcrafts (Chair, Marketing and Promotions)
- Andrea Ballus, Sift Dessert Bar
- Keven Brown, Corrick's
- Nat Centeno, Simon Properties
- Sonu Chandi, Stout Brothers, Craft 535, Flipside Bar and Burger
- Natalie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing Company
- Kim Hall, Simon Properties
- Tom Jackson, Veale Investments
- Rolf Nelson, Exchange Bank
- Danielle O'Leary, City of Santa Rosa
- Ken Pedersen, Pedersen's Furniture
- Jenny Romeyn, Cupcake Children & Maternity
- Don Taylor, Omelette Express
For more information, please contact Janet Rogers at janetr@santarosachamber.com.