An Award Winning Month!

A Message from our Chair

To quote the proverbial British rock band Queen, We are the champions!  The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce and its member companies were recognized this month for supporting business and education.  Already recognized for its strong leadership, board representation and associates, the Oxnard Chamber has now established itself as an award-winning advocate organization for steering youth towards workforce readiness.

On May 18th, the Chamber was presented with the Oxnard Union High School District’s (OUHSD) “Business Champion” award at a program presented by the OUHSD – Office of Career Education, OUHSD Academies and the Ventura County Civic Alliance for its “Direct Path to Success” program led by the chamber’s own Director of Workforce Development, Jim Rose.  The program has served over 1,100 high school students by providing workshops, internships, and other business interfaces with the different academies.

Interestingly enough, many of the other organizations and individuals honored for being essential business partners during the same event had a direct link to the Oxnard Chamber.  They included Oxnard Chamber board members Laura Mullen (DCH Auto Group), and Cynthia Herrera (Oxnard College); Dignity Health represented by Sharon Jones, Cal State Channel Islands represented by Manuel Correia, and Friends of the Channel Islands Harbor represented by Steve Kinney. In addition, my employer, California Resources Corporation was also included in the festivities by receiving the “2017 Business Champion Award” from the Oxnard Chamber’s Workforce Education Readiness Committee. 

On May 31st, the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce was one of 29 chambers in the state to receive the 2017 California Chamber of Commerce “President’s Circle Award”.  This was not by luck of the draw, but rather for fulfilling numerous requirements that Cal Chamber established as mandatory criteria.  And, this criteria must be met annually. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention my fellow board member, Michael Wynn-Song.  He was one of three awardees recognized for being a relentless “Small Business Advocate” by Cal Chamber President and CEO, Allan Zaramberg.  Michael has spent countless hours at Oxnard City Council Meetings and other chamber functions stressing the value of business in the Oxnard Community. 

And most recently, the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce was the recipient of the “2017 Youth Opportunity Award” presented by the local Workforce Development Board. This honor was bestowed on the Chamber for providing career awareness opportunities and internships that are designed to grow and strengthen Ventura County’s future workforce.

As the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce celebrates its achievements this month, let it be a reminder that we are here to serve our business and education community. By the looks of all, the plaques and trophies collected this month reaffirms we are doing just that.

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