San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce Dissolves Executive Board

Letters of resignation

Following the June 8, 2023, meeting of the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce, when President Joanna Jimenez, Vice President Carina Rivera and Immediate Past President Alexis Salamanca resigned, the Board of Directors dissolved the Executive Board rather than replace the officers. The two remaining officers, Treasurer and Secretary, were told their positions were being eliminated.

By Cheryl Cabot

Also at the June 8 meeting, the three officers had asked for an audit of the Chamber, as stated in the bylaws. The motion for an audit was removed from the agenda by the Executive Board.

“The motion to remove my motion to have a financial audit by June 30, 2023, as required by the by-laws, is unacceptable on my term as Chair.” said Joanna Jimenez in her resignation letter to the Executive Board.

“Not completing the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce financial audit by June 30th is financially irresponsible and not within the bylaws. In addition, The SGCC needs a nominating committee to enforce the terms of the Board of Directors,”

The severity of the financial situation became apparent when the Chamber offered the City of San Gabriel a special “Presidential Circle Membership,” for $23,000 a year. Following the June 6, City Council meeting when it was voted to accept the “Presidential Circle Membership,” Sandy Rosco, Executive Director of the SG Chamber, sent an invoice to the City of San Gabriel for $23,000.

June 20 San Gabriel City Council Meeting

At the request of Councilwoman Menchaca, the City Council on a 3-2 vote, directed staff to cease all city monies to the Chamber until Council can re-evaluate the $23,000 membership fee approved at the June 6 Council meeting. It was also disclosed that the Chamber had applied to the City for a $7,500* Business Relocation Grant. Both requests were put on hold until further discussion by the City Council.

Subsequently, the City Council received three resignation letters from long-standing Chamber of Commerce Board members – President Joanna Jimenez, Vice President Carina Rivera, and Immediate Past President, Alexis Salamanca – indicating a severe financial crisis with no remedies being implemented. The Agenda item is tentatively scheduled for the August 15 Council meeting.

The San Gabriel Chamber’s website no longer lists an Executive Board, only the Board of Directors. Sandy Rosco is still listed as the Executive Director and Wendy Dickson Holton, former owner of Dickson Towing in San Gabriel, is listed as the Interim President. Holton is the only Board member who lives in San Gabriel.

*Update: We have since verified that the Business Relocation Grant the Chamber applied for is $10,000.