As of Monday, Aug. 2, the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce will have a new director of operations—Gina Phillips.
Gina has been a resident of College Park East for the last six years and in 2009 functioned as the interim director during the national search for the position.
She is very excited about returning not only to the staff position, but also to growing the membership and event schedule.
“I am proud to have been both the administrative coordinator and currently a board member. I am looking forward to doing my part sustaining and growing the Chamber, and hope to bring only great results,” she said during a recent interview.
Ruth Harrell, the current director of operations, made a strategic business and personal decision to leave the Chamber to focus on her and her husband’s business, Gallery 212. Her tenure as director was filled with significant development.
The Chamber has seen dramatic growth over the last several years and now has a membership roster of over 250. With record-breaking attendance at the Summer Concert Series, the new “Community & Visitor’s Guidebook” and new program additions like the EDGE (Educate, Develop & Grow the Economy) Seal Beach Seminar Series, Gina will be kept busy to keep the current growth trend on track.
Major events coming up also include the annual Legislative Mixer at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach on Friday, Aug. 13 and the expansion of working groups in areas of financial development and non-profit partnership.
Based on the successful model of “vendor village” at the Concert Series, Gina is enthusiastic about expanding business opportunities in Seal Beach at the myriad of events we produce.
Being careful to include only local businesses and Chamber members, Gina has her finger on the pulse of Seal Beach.
Under the Board of Directors’ guidance, the Chamber is looking to create two positions, both part time, with one being more of the “face” of the Chamber and the other being more an administrative role.
To that end, a new intern program has been set up to bring additional, no-cost support to the office and thus our members.
Gina will be testing the feasibility of the intern program and making a recommendation to the Board.
If you have interest in the positions, please contact the Chamber office by phone at (562) 799-0179 or via e-mail at info@sealbeachchamber.org.
Gina, an avid fisherman, diver and cyclist can be seen at the Summer Concert Series and most of our events. Regardless of the ultimate determination of the Chamber positions, we know that Gina will be involved. Please welcome her, as she will be about town and in the Chamber office at 201 8th St., Suite 120.
