The Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural installation and awards ceremoney on Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Old Ranch Country Club.
The event featured the installation and inaguration of new board members, the retiring of the old board of directors and the new “Achievement Award” for outstanding service to the community.
Organizers hope both the installation ceremony and the award will become annual events.
State of the Chamber
In a “State of the Chamber” format, Master of Ceremonies Seth Eaker, as outgoing president, outlined where the Chamber had been and some of the major accomplishments of the past year.
Dignitaries in attendance included Mayor David Sloan and his wife Iva, Council members Gary Miller and Charles Antos, City Manager David Carmany, Director of Planning Mark Persico, the President of Cypress College Michael J. Kasler and other community members.
Mayor Sloan enjoyed a few humorous comments and a playful ribbing at the expense of MC Eaker.
“If you were to ask me about a man more respected, admired and popular in our community, that wouldn’t be Seth Eaker,” Sloan said.
He went on to present an official Seal of the City on behalf of the City Council to Eaker and shared some of the good work and positive impact the Chamber has had on the community at large. Further good news came from city officials regarding successful public work projects, positive labor negotiations, improved safety and security results and the positive solvency that Seal Beach enjoys.
Other highlights included many awards, including those for the new fire station design, best-restored beach as well as staff awards and certifications.
Apparently, the Chamber is in a stronger financial position and has a record number of members.
New Chamber president
Incoming President Erik Dreyer-Goldman welcomed the new board members with a call to action to continue deepening the relationship with the city.
Dreyer-Goldman elaborated on some early priorities including: improving lighting on Main Street, reinvigorating some historic events (including the Sandcastle Festival) and wants to reach out to more of the region outside of Old Town into other key parts of Seal Beach.
Dreyer-Goldman also took time to thank his wife Kari for her support, the incoming board for their new energy and enthusiasm, and presented a California Legislative Resolution, jointly sponsored by both State Sen. Tom Harmon and Assemblyman Jim Silva, for Seth Eaker and his four years of contributions to the voice of business in Seal Beach.
Klisanin receives Achievement Award
The highlight of the evening came with the presentation of the Achievement Award to Jim Klisanin. Some may not know, but Klisanin won the Shocker Sports Hall of Fame 1954-57 and was Wichita State’s All-American running back.
Locally, Klisanin has received many awards, and this one is one more feather in the cap of the man who has given tens of thousands of dollars over four decades to the Seal Beach community through the Lions club, Chamber and other organizations.
He has been honored by the 2004 Americana Award as Seal Beach Citizen of the Year, run the Christmas Parade in some way for 20 years, started the Car Raffle to make more money for the Lions Club and has been an advocate for both property rights and business for as long as many can remember.
Klisanin’s thoughts focused on his wife Janet, his love of Seal Beach, and the positive impact the Chamber and his business, Baytown Realty, has been able to have in his time here.
His daughter Shawna has joined him in running Baytown and he couldn’t be happier.
