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Chamber History

The actual date of formation of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce is unclear; however, there is reason to believe the Chamber existed as early as 1915. Fallbrook earned its title of “The Friendly Village” early in 1922 when then-president R.H. Blacklidge sponsored a Frost Free Lemon Celebration Day. One of the chief attractions of this day was the offering of unlimited quantities of lemonade to travelers passing through town when Main Avenue (as we know it today) was Highway 395.

The Chamber was incorporated in 1949 when Carroll Husher served as president. Its first official office was opened in 1958, at 303 S. Main Avenue. Prior to that, the Chamber office was located wherever its president was. In 1967, the Chamber office moved to 300 N. Main Street. Several years later, the office was moved to 233 E. Mission and then, in 2012, to its current location at 111 S. Main Street (Avenue now).

Over the years, the Chamber of Commerce has been active in the promotion and development of water resources and has been responsible for much of the improvement of streets and street lighting in Fallbrook. Committees of the Chamber have been instrumental in establishing the local fire department, the airpark, improvement programs for business buildings and a long-range planning program for the general community. It contributes to the economic growth of the “village” and also serves as a quasi-governmental agency for its residents. The Board of Directors is a voluntary organization of businessmen and women devoted to encouraging commerce and supporting industry, as well as promoting common interests and reflecting business opinion as it relates to matters of the community, state, region, and nation.

The Chamber has actively worked for the continued progress and betterment of this community, from the day it was formed to the present. It has a consistent record of fighting for more and better road improvements and street lighting, and can take credit for most of the progress made along these lines. It has also supported countless beautification programs to help restore the natural beauty of the area.

Unlike most other Chambers, the Fallbrook Chamber serves as a quasi-governmental agency serving not only the needs of the community, but the needs of its residents as well. If it cannot be of direct assistance, it seeks to put the individual in touch with someone who can help. It greets newcomers, answers questions and promotes the image of the “Friendly Village.”

The Chamber maintains a rigorous focus on its mission “To support business and build a better community.” Alongside this are the residual, yet necessary, components of its function such as: complaint department, city hall, town council, information center, traveler’s aid station, business referral house, central meeting place, county liaison, directory service, ticket office and drop center for a variety of things like books, computers and even cookies!

Currently, the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce is working collaboratively with many groups and businesses in town to continue its efforts to build business, tourism, awareness of resources, and community outreach. The Chamber is here to assist our Fallbrook residents and business owners in any way we can. Our doors are open, so please take a moment to visit our office and learn about what we have to offer. The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce welcomes you!

Past Honorary Mayors

1973 - Johnnie Collins
1974 - Stella Young
1975 - Ray McElhay
1977 - Jim Johnson
1978, 1979 - Dave Dowler
1980 - Bob Aaberg
1981 - Marion Sherman
1982 - Glad Hiscock
1983 - Angie Ardizzone
1984 - Bill Coburn
1985 - Dianna Hallock
1986 - Ron Swehla
1987 - Pearl Marsh
1988 - Patti Seim
1989 - Rus Hillier
1990 - Casey Antolini
1991 - Beverly Jackson
1992 - Chris Hasvold
1993 - Janet Stewart
1994 - Kelly O'Donnell
1995 - Roy Johnson
1996 - Rich Warner
1997, 1998 - Eileen Delaney
1999 - Delos Eyer
2010 - Muhammad Rahman
2011 - Lila MacDonald2000 - Rufus Bowers
2001 - Sirina Waddell
2002,  2003 - Muhammad Rahman
2004 - Ruthie Harris
2005 - Muhammad Rahman
2006 - Rhonda Reinke
2007 - John Harris
2008 - Rebecca Waranch
2009 - Gail Martin

2012 - Leo Romero
2013 - Martin Quiroz
2014 - Jerry Burke, Jr.
2015 - Sandy Hull
2016 - Tami Donnelly
2017 - Michelle Verdugo
2018 - Lido Favela
2019, 2020 - Carlos Perez
2021 - Miriam Key
2022 - Tami Donnelly

Past Presidents

1945/1946/1947 - Bill Heald
1948 - Mark Gallagher
1949 - Carroll Huscher
1950 - Ellis Grover
1951 - Ottis Kettering
1952 - Jim Wayman
1953 - Vivienne Hecock
1954 - Clark Smith
1955 - Jack Tanner
1956 - Floyd Hassler
1957/1958 - Curtis Price
1959 - Jack Austin
1960/1961 - Bill Karn
1962 - Bill Borden
1963 - Sherman Loudermilk
1964 - Duke Snider
1965/1966 - Harry Davis
1967/1968 - Cloys Frandell

1968 - Howard Hopkins
1969 - John Caminiti
1970 - Roy M. Noon
1971 - Otis P. Heald, Jr.
1972 - Robert L. Cook
1973 - Earl Schweikert
1974 - Herbert Gaetjens
1975 - Maure Solt
1976 - Gene Norman
1977 - Ted Young
1978 - George Geib
1979 - Anita Macha
1980 - Gene Kohl
1981 - Carolyn Stillman
1982 - Jack McClain
1983/1984 - Dr. Roy Hiscock
1985 - John Paget
1986 - Dennis Casteel

 

1987 - Ernest J. Summers
1988 - Dianna Hallock
1989 - Paul Herron
1990 - Steve Wacknitz
1991 - Jean Fight
1992 - Roy Johnson
1993 - Charley Wolk
1994 - Nick Hoskot
1995 - John Crouch
1996 - George Archibald
1997 - George McManigle
1998 - Sarah Bates
1999 - Ralph Steinhoff
2000 - Wil Gower
2001 - Phil Delaney
2002 - Rick Windbigler
2003 - Don McDougal
2004 - Wes Peet

2005 - Stein Neiman
2006 - Budd Sutliff
2007 - Phil Delaney
2008 - Frank Hopkins
2009 - Bryan Perrin
2009/2010 - George Archibald
2011 - Bob Hillery
2012 - Gary Shimer
2013 - Jason Springston
2014/2015 - Jon Frandell
2015/2016 - Jeniene Domercq
2016/2017 - Martin Quiroz
2017/2018 - Deb Zoller
2018/2019 - Erica Williams
2019/2020 - Bob Hillery
2021/2022 - Nicholas Beye, DDS

 

Past Citizens of the Year

1979 - Victor Hansen
1980 - Frank Harriman
1981 - Shirley Blanton
1982 - Mary Bell
1983 - Ilia Mitchell
1984 - Maie Ellis
1985 - Eileen Goldman
1986 - Jackie Heyneman
1987 - Darwin East
1988 - Harold Burchett
1989 - Dianna Hallock

1990 - Francis Steckmest
1991 - Marge Yackey
1992 - Vince Ross
1993 - Charley Wolk
1994 - Opal Langberg
1995 - Bill Reinstra
1996 - Bob Ingold
1997 - Jim Russell
1998 - Wil Gower
1999 - Bill Ross
2000 - John Crouch

2001 - Ralph Steinhoff
2002 - Jack Boline
2003 - Sam Logan
2004 - George Archibald
2005 - Arlyne Ingold
2006 - Roy Ansell
2007 - Phil & Eileen Delaney
2008 - Jerri Patchett
2009 - Jean Dooley
2010 - Roy Costello
2011 - Janet LuCore

2012 - Cecilia Taylor
2013 - Don Luallin
2014 - Phyllis Sweeney
2015 - Donna Gebhart
2016 - Shirley Fender
2017 - Dale Mitchell
2018 - Bob & Susan Lucy
2019 - N/A
2020 - Brad Fox
2021 - Anita Kimzey

Lifetime Achievement

2001 - Arlyne Ingold, Bill Ross
2002 - Leo McGuire, Sr.
2003 - Vince Ross
2004 - Rufus Bowers
2005 - Wallace Tucker
2005 - Jackie Heyneman

2006 - Jim Bowen
2006 - Harry Christiansen
2007 - Carol Eastman
2008 - Betty Johnston
2009 - Earl & Bev McDougal
2010 - Bruce Dennett

2011 - George Archibald
2012 - Gordon Stone
2013 - Vi Dupre
2014 - Jerri Patchett
2015 - Manny Ortega
2016 - Charley Wolk

2017 - Mike Peters
2018 - Jean Dooley
2019 - N/A
2020 - Phyllis Sweeney
2021 - Catherine Sousa

Chamber Member of the Year

2011 - Delos Eyer
2012 - Frank Hopkins
2013 - Bob Hillery
2014 - Martin Quiroz
2015 - Miriam Key
2016 - Anne Klentz

2017 - Jason Springston
2018 - Randy Vance
2019 - N/A
2020 - David Zumaya|
2021 - Jeniene Domercq

Chamber Business of the Year

2011 - San Diego Gas & Electric
2012 - First Citizens Bank
2013 - Cyan Insurance Solutions
2014 - Fallbrook Propane Gas Co.
2015 - El Jardin Mexican Restaurant
2016 - 100 Main

2017 - Harry's Sports Bar & Grill
2018 - CR Properties Real Estate
2019 - N/A
2020 - Major Market
2021 - Care-Rite Vocational Services

Ambassador of the Year

2009 - Phyllis Sweeney
2010 - Bob Hila
2011 - Ronne Branson
2012 - Brian Deming
2013 - Anne Klentz
2014 - Mike & Ginger Manley

2015 - Leo Romero
2016 - Elaine Tedrick
2017 - Marc Sigmon
2018-2019 - Deb Bottomley
2020 - Miriam Key
2021 - Mike Stanicek

Chamber Non-Profit of the Year

2014 - Friends of the Fallbrook Community Center
2015 - Fallbrook Beautification Alliance
2016 - The Angel Society of Fallbrook
2017 - Fallbrook Food Pantry
2018 - Foundation For Senior Care

2019 - N/A
2020 - D'Vine Path
2020 - Fallbrook Regional Health District
2021 - Fallbrook Garden Club

Excellence in Large Business ~ 1995-2009

1995 - Major Market
1996 - Fallbrook National Bank
1997- The Grand Tradition
1998 - Fallbrook Refuse Service
1999 - East Brothers Grove Service
2000 - Del Rey Avocado
2001 - Coldwell Banker Landmark Group
2002 - Morgan Stanley

2003 - Durling Nursery
2004 - Temecula Valley Bank
2005 - Major Market
2006 - Paradise Chevrolet Cadillac
2007 - Markstein Beverage Company
2008 - Silvergate Retirement Residence
2009 - Fallbrook Pharmacy
2010 - Fallbrook Hospital

Excellence in Small Business ~ 1995-2010

1995 - Birchall & Sons Carpet Care
1996 - La Caseta Mexican Restaurant
1997 - Fallbrook Country Inn
1998 - Fallbrook Equipment Rentals
1999 - Maddock Nursery
2000 - Fallbrook Wellness Spa
2001 - A Few of Our Favorite Things
2002 - Discount Appliances

2003 - Bigley Electric
2004 - Fallbrook Directory
2005 - Sourdough Pizza
2006 - El Toro Market
2007 - Neiman's Collision Center
2008 - Ace Party Productions
2009 - The Encouragement Factor
2010 - Springston Design

Ingold Community Builder Award ~ 1996-2010

1996 - Fallbrook Hospital
1998 - Fallbrook Union Elementary School District
1999 - Fallbrook Land Conservancy
2000 - Fallbrook Union High School District
2001 - Camp Pendleton

2002 - Phil & Eileen Delaney
2003 - Angel Society of Fallbrook • Sirina Waddell
2005 - Betty Johnson & Bill Horn
2006 - Roy Costello & Julie Reeder
2007 - Manny Ortega & Sheriff's Volunteer Patrol
2010 - Rotary Club of Fallbrook

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