DOWNEY – The Downey Chamber of Commerce swore in their new president and board of directors during its 188th Officers and Directors Installation on Wednesday at the Embassy Suites.

The upcoming year will see Sheila Tetangco-Bartolone, of the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities, take the reins as the president of the Chamber.

Tetangco-Bartolone said that her mission was to “refocus our attention back to our businesses [and] remind them what an active chamber can do for them.”

“Our job as the Chamber is to remind everyone what a thriving community Downey is and bring the consumers back to the businesses again,” said Tetangco-Bartolone.

She added that the Chamber would “continue to look for ways to improve communication,” including an increase in digital and social media.

“If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that people want to know everything now, so they turn to web and social media,” said Tetangco-Bartolone. “Whether we’re spreading the word about community events, launching a talk series with local businesses, doing an expose on a business owner, or simply celebrating a milestone anniversary for one of our members, our focus and our attention will be our community partners.”

“It’s gonna be an exciting year, as we plan to offer a host of various new networking opportunities already in the works.”

The Chamber also took time to recognize outgoing president Maria Fernandez, of Sunrise Realty.

“It’s been a really interesting year for the Chamber…things changed and developed,” said Michael Calvert, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. “I have to say it was very nice to have a president that, if we needed to kind of turn on a dime, not only did she provide the dime, she had no problem turning on it.”

Fernandez said that the Chamber has “so much to be grateful for.”

“I really feel grateful to my board; to each one of them,” said Fernandez. “I can’t mention every name, but you all did a wonderful job; nothing would have happened without your support. I am most grateful and honored to have served as your president for 2020-21.”

New Board Directors were given the oath by Mayor Claudia M. Frometa. They included Jennifer DeKay of the Downey Patriot, David Kantar of Financial Partners Credit Union, and former Mayor Rick Rodriguez of RMI Security.

The afternoon concluded with the Chamber honoring Nader Moghaddam, President of Financial Partners Credit Union, who was established as an honorary lifetime member of the Downey Chamber.

Moghaddam said “it’s been an absolute pleasure.”

“I’ve been in Downey for 18 years…it’s truly a city that I think everybody comes together,” said Moghaddam. “Whether it’s the City Council, the Chamber, in all ways of life, we have something special in this city that I think we can all be very proud of.”