Today, Thursday, Jan. 15 marks the installation of new officers and directors for the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce.  The installation luncheon event also recognizes three outgoing members who have served the Chamber and its community for a combined total of 35 years. Please join me in thanking Steve Pierce, Bruce Bartels and Marvin Lee for their commitment and service.

Steve Pierce served as the 2014 CV Chamber of Commerce president. Steve has lived in the Crescenta Valley since 1968 and is married to wife Karen, a La Crescenta native and retired Mountain Avenue Elementary schoolteacher. Retirement does not mean slowing down to the Pierce family, though. Since retiring from his business, Steve has become involved with a number of local organizations, including sheriff’s volunteers, CERT, CV Fireworks Association and CV Fire Safe Council/CV Ready. He became a member of the Crescenta Valley Town Council in 2005 and served as president in 2008. Steve is currently marketplace manager for the Montrose Shopping Park Association. Today he passes the gavel to incoming president Aram Ordubegian but Steve will continue to serve on the CV Chamber board in the role of past president and will help out in a hundred other ways, I’m sure. Thanks, Steve.

Bruce Bartels has been on the Chamber board for over 20 years. He was raised in La Crescenta, graduated from Crescenta Valley High School and married his high school sweetheart, Erin. You may know him as the philosopher mechanic, owner of Bruce’s Automotive, a robust business that combines skillful auto repair with thoughtful philosophy. As Bruce says, “A car doesn’t care if you fix it up. The person who owns that car cares if you fix it.” Over the years he has taken on numerous roles with the CV Chamber including newsletter editor. According to fellow Chamber director Warren Boehm, “Bruce has contributed in so many ways. He was a big help on the fireworks event, he helped with the car shows and he publicized all our events, encouraging many people to attend.” Thank you, Bruce.

Finally, we thank Marvin Lee for his years of service as a Chamber director.  Marvin is a testament to our local schools, having attended Lincoln Elementary, Rosemont and CVHS. He obtained his bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly Pomona and moved into a career that he loves in the Elder Care field. In 2007, after managing a facility in Santa Barbara, Marvin started California Senior Services, a referral and placement agency for elder care needs. Two years later he earned his real estate broker’s license and currently assists Care Home owners in buying and selling their properties. Marvin has helped at several of our Chamber events including barbecuing at the Hometown Country Fair and Day at the Races. Being fluent in both English and Korean, he also helped us translate literature when necessary. Thanks, Marvin.

Next week, learn about our incoming board members. In the meantime, here are three good reasons to stop by the Chamber office: First, pick up your free 2014 Best Business Directory, a great resource with listings for local businesses, elected officials, schools and community services! Second, check out our Event Board for upcoming local events! And third, pick up a free 2015 calendar!  Many local businesses and organizations donate beautiful wall and desk calendars for Chamber visitors’ use. We’re open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will be closed, however, on Monday, Jan. 19.

  Lisa DUPUY