Pasadena Chamber Officially Installs Board Chair, Directors in Pandemic-Delayed Inaugural Gala

The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association celebrated Friday night, finally installing its slate of Board Directors and inaugurating new Board Chair John Leano’s tenure after a year-long pandemic postponement.

Raphael Henderson was officially installed as Board Chair-Elect. Others installed on the Board include Justin Tsui, Nerissa Sugars, Amir Johnson, Don Schweitzer, and Ishmael Trone

Leano of the Bryan’s Cleaners and Laundry was originally named chair in July last year. He will serve until December 31, 2021.

Leano told Pasadena Now that during his tenure, the Chamber made efforts to help assist not just members but also non-members struggling due to the pandemic.

“Many non-chamber members came to us for help, for guidance, for information, for assistance. And we didn’t turn anyone away just because they weren’t a chamber member,” Leano said.

He said the chamber also did not terminate membership of those who failed to pay membership fees and had offered reduced membership rates to help minority-owned businesses.

Changing pandemic restrictions and policies have made it difficult for some businesses to adapt to the present situation. To survive this, Leano said a number of businesses were forced to lay off some of their workers.

As Chair of the Chamber, Leano vowed to ensure that the organization will help struggling businesses in Pasadena have access to information and resources including loans and grants available to them, and to stay open and reopen safely despite the pandemic.

He has also expressed his desire to help businesses navigate through the “changing and fluid” health mandates and guidelines imposed by the government.

To help local businessmen thrive during the pandemic, Leano called on the public to support them by patronizing the products and services they offer.

“Support your favorite restaurant, support your favorite dry cleaner, of course, I’m in that industry so I would say that. Your favorite nail salon, the small business owners, the mom and pops that are out there every day that have made a difference in our lives.”

“Get behind these folks and patronize their business, spread the word, let them know when, you know, you’ve had a good experience and encourage others to support local business in Pasadena.”

Leano is the first  Filipino-American to lead the Board of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

Leano has been involved with the Pasadena Chamber for nearly 30 years. He was elected to the Chamber Board in 2015 and has served the past three years as a member of the Executive Committee and chair of the Member Services Committee.