Esther Kenyon, CEO of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce, announced her Wednesday, Aug. 1 retirement at the Chamber’s general membership meeting on July 12.
Following accolades from Chamber President Nat Ferguson, and a few gracious words of “thank you” from Kenyon, she was treated to a standing ovation in recognition of her service to the Chamber.
Kenyon came to the Chamber 16 months ago, and since that time, she has devoted herself not only to growing the membership and enhancing their special events, but also to deepening the relationship with the city toward closer partnerships in a number of endeavors, including the beautification of Main Street and summer concert sponsorships.
At the Monday, July 23, Seal Beach City Council meeting, Mayor Mike Levitt presented Kenyon with a Certification of Appreciation which read, “The city of Seal Beach would like to thank you for your Valuable Contributions and Constant Support to the Seal Beach Community.”
“I began working at 12 years of age, dusting shelves in a hardware store in a small town in Iowa, a ‘Mayberry in the Midwest,’” Kenyon said.
“In fact, my Dad was the sheriff. Now I find myself, finishing up my work career in ‘Mayberry by the Sea.’ I know it’s a cliché, but every day in Seal Beach has been a day in paradise,” she said.
“What a privilege to have been part of this unique, lovely village for these many months,” Kenyon said. “When people ask me about Seal Beach, I say it is just one big cheers bar, ‘everyone knows your name.’ There’s a friend on every corner.”
Kenyon said she still has one goal for Seal Beach in mind, turning the Bay Theatre into a performing arts center. “So I’m not going away, just exchanging my work career for a volunteer career and so looking forward to spending more beautiful days in Seal Beach.”
