About Us:

The establishment of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce was the result of dedication and hard work of dozens of people. Tracing the history of this organization takes us back to 1978. The Irvine City Council was considering an ordinance that would have regulated access to local shopping centers by petitioners and private organizations raising funds. Adelle Stone, owner of YES Cleaners in the Walnut Village Shopping Center, organized the successful opposition to the ordinance.

Her concern about related issues continued, and a meeting of Irvine merchants was called. Their discussion turned to the creation of an organization that could speak for Irvine business people and would give representation to both city government and the business community.

The six attendees at the meeting included Adelle Stone, Dick Newton of McNulty's Ice Cream, Bob Walker of El Rancho Market, optometrist Dr. Ron Grossman, James Harrod of Scientific-Technical Books and Mike Manahan of The Irvine Company. After much discussion, they determined the best way to give a voice to the business community was to form a chamber of commerce.

A Formation Committee was appointed. Many of those asked to join the committee had been members of similar chambers in other cities, giving valuable experience and insight to the group. Members included Adelle Stone, Dr. Ron Grossman, Charlotte Brantley, Clara Shimmerling, F.C. "Bud" Jackley, William Hurst, Jackie Lee Ek, Michael Manahan, Gana Totten, Richard Hallett and Paul Brady, Jr.

The committee got right to work, setting in motion a series of information-gathering activities by Irvine residents and officials who had been recruited for the effort. A mission statement was drawn up. Plans for writing by-laws, creating an organization structure and enlisting members were undertaken. Contributions from The Irvine Company and the Irvine World News allowed the committee to purchase initial stationary and office supplies.

With a preliminary budget and dues structure hammered out, things were moving forward. In early 1979, 2,000 surveys were mailed out to local businesses canvassing opinions on the formation of the chamber. The response was overwhelmingly positive. As the groundwork continued, the articles of incorporation were winding their way through the state bureaucracy, sponsored by Assemblywoman Marian Bergeson. On May 31, 1979, the Secretary of State approved the incorporation of the Irvine Chamber of Commerce.

The culmination of everyone's hard work and dedication came on June 20, 1979, when the first membership reception was held at the Airporter Inn. A total of 156 members were recruited. Later that year, the chamber obtained office space in the University Town Center building and hired Carol Schroeder as their first employee.

The chamber's first executive board was elected in December of that year. Serving with President Bill Hurst was Larry Hoffman, Mike Manahan, Charlotte Brantley, Ralph Rodheim, E. Ray Quigley and Dr. Ron Grossman. The first installation banquet in January 1980, featured speeches by then-Mayor David Sills and The Irvine Company president Peter Kremer.

By 1980, less than two years after that first meeting, the chamber membership was nearing 400 businesses.

As the chamber celebrates its 26th Anniversary, current membership stands at 1,000. The chamber's continued success has played an important part in creating an attractive environment for major companies who now make Irvine their home.