2024-2025
Executive Board of Directors
John Neiuber, Trinity Youth Services
(Chair)
John Neiuber is the Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Youth Services. He leads an agency of 350 employees that serves over 500 children and families daily through residential treatment services, mental health programs, a foster care agency and adoption services. John earned his BA and MA degrees from CSUSB. He is a veteran and received the Army Commendation Medal. John was a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and district office administrator in the public schools, and a management and leadership consultant to public agencies and private industry. He is the former CEO of Advanced Education Services, establishing and operating nonpublic and charter schools. He became the COO of Trinity in 2002 and CEO in 2005. John was recognized by the Center for Entrepreneurship as the winner of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016. He is an active volunteer in his community, serving on city and county commissions, and currently focuses his efforts on historic preservation and the arts.
trinityys.org
Joshua Merry, California Bank & Trust
(Chair of the Board-Elect)
Creative and business savvy sales and management professional with over 12 years of progressive experience across a broad range of financial industry functions and varied industry segments.
Commercial Banking Center Branch Manager at Claremont's California Bank & Trust since September 2017.
Bruno Windegger, Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine (Treasurer)
A resident of Claremont for 21 years, Bruno and Nathalie acquired Saca’s Mediterranean Cuisine in 2014 with the ambition to develop and grow the Saca’s brand. Prior to working in the food industry, Bruno worked for 25 years for a large Corporation in Consumer Goods, where he headed the International Division. In that role, he built and run a global network of professional distributors, set up and managed sales, marketing and logistics centers on all 5 continents. As Head of the Corporate Marketing Division, Bruno was also responsible for protecting and growing the brand globally through advertising, social media and public relations.
gotosacas.com
Andrew Behnke, DoubleTree by Hilton Claremont (Member-At-Large)
Andrew Behnke is General Manager of the DoubleTree By Hilton Claremont and also Vice President of their property management company since 2006. He has been a hospitality executive for over 24 years.
Andrew was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has lived in Georgia, Washington D.C. and Fairbanks, Alaska. He is a decorated veteran having served 9 years in the Army during the Gulf War Era and received his education from the University of Minnesota, Georgetown University and Wayland Baptist University. While in the Army he had the notable distinction of serving in the Presidential Honor Guard and Assistant to the President Escort Officer for the inauguration of President George HW Bush.
Andrew is a community and business advocate in the region and belongs to 4 different chambers of commerce. He has served two terms as Board Chair for the Claremont Chamber. Andrew is very active business advocate and has a firm belief that business has an obligation to make the community a better one for all.
His hobbies include Ice Hockey and fishing. He is married to his beautiful wife Sonja. Andrew currently resides in Upland.
doubletreeclaremont.com
Board of Directors
Brett Strauss, Southland Data Processing
Brett R. Strauss, Esq. is the Director of Compliance at Southland Data Processing (“SDP”) in Upland, CA. He has been with SDP since 2010 and specializes in consulting with employers to find cost effective solutions to comply with California and Federal employment regulations.
Mr. Strauss is a graduate of the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona and earned his J.D. from the University of La Verne College of Law. He is also a proud member of the Labor & Employment Section of the State Bar of California.
Mr. Strauss also serves on the Board of the West Inland Empire Employer Advisory Council and as the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Claremont AYSO. He and his wife Julie reside in Claremont, CA with their two children; Scarlett and Jameson.
sdppayroll.com
Colin Tudor, The Claremont Colleges
Colin Tudor serves The Claremont Colleges (TCC) as Secretary to the Board and Assistant Vice President of Community Relations, supporting TCC's Board and fostering partnerships within Claremont and the surrounding region.
Previously, Colin served as Claremont’s Assistant City Manager (2012–2019), overseeing daily operations, policy development, and the city’s administrative services, including personnel, IT, and public information. He collaborated on major initiatives such as the Foothill Gold Line Extension and the Amgen Tour of California.
A Claremont native, Colin holds a B.A. in philosophy and psychology from Claremont McKenna College and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of La Verne.
claremont.edu
Corey Calaycay, Mayor, City of Claremont
Corey Calaycay is serving his sixth term on the Claremont City Council (2024–2028) and previously held three one-year terms as Mayor (2018–2019, 2015–2016, 2009–2010). Born in Chicago, his family moved to Claremont, where he has lived for 50 years. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a Business Administration degree, Corey first ran for City Council in 1990 at age 19, successfully winning a seat in 2005 after multiple attempts.
Active in the community, Corey has served on various committees, including the County of Los Angeles Local Suppression of Drug Abuse in Schools Advisory Committee, City of Claremont Library Task Force, and as Past-President of the Claremont Educational Foundation and Friends of the Claremont Public Library. He has over a decade of experience in the California State Legislature, serving constituents in over 30 communities.
Currently, Corey chairs the Los Angeles County Public Library Commission and the Pomona Valley Transit Authority Board. He also serves on the Foothill Transit Governing & Executive Boards, San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District Board, and Clean Power Alliance of Southern California Board.
ci.claremont.ca.us
Emily Moultrie, Claremont Craft Ales
Claremont Craft Ales was started in 2012 by husband and wife team Simon Brown and Emily Moultrie, along with the help of their cousins and business partners, Brian and Natalie Seffer.
Gabriela Portugal, The Claremont Club
Gabriela has been a part of our Chamber since 2017 & is an active Chamber Ambassador. She is a bilingual (English & Spanish), local Farmers® insurance agent with over 10 years of expericence. Gabriela specializes in auto, home, renters, business insurance, and more. She helps her community members identify the insurance coverage that best fits their needs. CA License #: 0D85073
Dr. Jim Elsasser, Superintendent of Schools and Secretary to the Board of Education of the Claremont Unified School District (CUSD)
Dr. Elsasser joined the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District as superintendent in January 2021 and returned to Claremont Unified School District in July 2022, where his leadership previously drove strategic initiatives, community partnerships, and professional development, earning the District significant recognition. In 2017, he was named Region 15 Superintendent of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators for his visionary, student-centered leadership.
An active member of professional organizations such as ERDI, NCERT, ACSA, and the Southern California Superintendents organization, Dr. Elsasser also serves on the Dean’s Superintendents’ Advisory Group at USC’s Rossier School of Education.
He resides in Anaheim with his wife, Lori, and enjoys traveling and spending time with their adult children: Corey (and his wife Emma), Brooke, and Nicholas.
Matt Zertuche, Paymintz Processing & Payroll
Matt Zertuche joined our Chamber in early 2022 & quickly joined as one of our our Ambassadors. Full bio to come...
Pat Herrero CEO/Co- Founder of Financially EPIC Education | Property | Income | Community
Pat has volunteered as a school nurse, participated in numerous fundraising committees, and served as parent liaison for The Webb Schools’ Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology.
Pat and her daughters successfully invest in real estate, employing strategies such as Creative Acquisition, Notes, Buy & Hold, and New Builds, creating value across neighborhoods in Southern California, Hawaii, and the East Coast.
With 30 years of nursing experience, specializing in hospice care, Pat is now focused on connecting individuals to financial literacy education and resources, continuing her passion for serving others. She is honored to serve on the Claremont Chamber of Commerce Board, dedicated to empowering the community and fostering success for all.
Shirley Garrison, Maison Garrison
Graduated with a major in business and languages in Leuven, Belgium. First generation immigrant and proud business owner in Claremont, CA.
Fashion has always been a passion since childhood, traveling throughout Europe going to all the fashion shows from major fashion houses. Now bringing the best European styles to our own village here in Claremont, CA.
Stephanie King, Ontario International Airport
In 2015, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside. Received their Master of Public Administration from California State University, San Bernardino in the fall of 2021.
After 6 years of working in county government, she transitioned to a position as the Community Engagement Manager at the Ontario International Airport.
Tasha Bell, Fit Rituals Studio
Co-owner of Fit Rituals Studio a boutique fitness studio that offers an eclectic collection of small group classes, Tasha has a passion for helping people and giving back to the community. With a successful 30-year career in Property and Investment Management, for the last 20+ years Tasha has directed and overseen the operation of Pacific Diversified Management, spearheading acquisitions, and overseeing the team that handles the daily operations of the $450 million asset portfolio. Her partnership at the studio along with being the early morning coach is a perfect outlet and allows her to couple her love of fitness with her love of giving back and helping people.
Ambassadors
Ambassador Committee Chair
Matt Zertuche - Paymintz
Angelica Baltazar - abCollaboratory, LLC
John Howland - Retired Lawyer
Pat Herrero - Financially Epic
Sadie Gribbon - Ontario International Airport
Sal Falcon - EcoLab
Chamber Staff & Office
Kathleen Fariss, CEO
Kathleen Fariss is an ICF-certified coach with a passion for facilitating personal and professional growth. She graduated with a B.S. in Organizational Management and an M.S. in Leadership and Management, both with a focus on Organizational Development from the University of La Verne in Southern California, and brings over 30 years of invaluable experience as a change agent and fundraising expert.
Kathleen has a proven track record in leadership development, strategic planning, and organizational growth. She has coached executives, led transformative workshops, and served as a strategic advisor for numerous organizations.
Over the course of her career, she has impacted multiple industries within Southern California, including higher education, local government, entertainment, and more. She has held positions within the Claremont community at Claremont Graduate University and the Drucker School of Management, as well as partnered with multiple local businesses in the Claremont area and beyond.
Shannon Soran, Director of Events & Marketing
Shannon holds a BA in Graphic Design and a Marketing minor from the University of Redlands in Redlands, CA. With over eight years of experience in design, marketing, and event coordination, Shannon has had the opportunity to consult for a variety of clients across Southern California, including country clubs, medical professionals, and small businesses.
Outside of work, Shannon has a deep passion for community-building and creativity. They spent four years teaching comedy improv to children, where they helped foster confidence and joy. Shannon has also performed improv comedy in Los Angeles.
Shannon has designed board games focused on creating social spaces for neurodiverse children and adults, aiming to promote critical thinking and meaningful connections. At the Claremont Chamber of Commerce, Shannon is grateful to contribute to projects that make a positive impact on the Claremont community
Natalia Estrada, Office Manager
Natalia is a dynamic, forward-thinking business professional with over 7 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Natalia on an ongoing basis helps fundraise & garner donations for several non-profits, i.e., Starts With One Today, The Precious Dreams Foundations, Lotus House Women’s Shelter, and organizations who aim to assist women, men, teens and children experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles and Miami counties. She brings a passion for building relationships to the Chamber and her love for Southern California outdoors. Natalia attended Barry University in Miami Shores, where she received formal training in Business Management and Marketing.
Headshots provided by Sonja Stump Photography