Merri Jill Finstrom (a.k.a. MJ) owns HUTdogs with her brother Dave. They specialize in the Art of Promotion and help people get the word out about their products, services and events. During the pandemic, they launched an award-winning webinar series called “The New Normal” which facilitated connection, offered encouragement and helpful ideas to the struggling business community as they navigated the era of Zoom. She provides the marketing direction for Downtown Arcadia and is always working for ways to build community collaboration around their events. She volunteers for the Historical society helping them with their Monday morning historical Tid Bit emails. She is active in the AUSD PTSA and is a new board member for the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation.

She has lived in Arcadia for 23 years with her husband Ferdie who often gets roped into her local marketing activities. She loves being a mom to Kiana and dog Hazel, enjoys a good zip-line, long walks, real talks and good friends.

The Derby Restaurant has been the cornerstone of fine dining for the Arcadia community for almost 100 years. Since its inception in 1922, The Derby has always attracted horse owners, celebrities, and racetrack enthusiasts. Year after year, decade after decade, The Derby has consistently delighted race fans with delicious food, an inviting atmosphere, and excellent service. George Woolf envisioned his Derby Restaurant to be a gathering place for jockeys and race fans. It was planned as a source of retirement earnings that would allow him to reflect back on his hall of fame career. Each wall, adorned with memorabilia of prestigious horses and races, would cause diners to revisit glorious wagers and harrowing photo finishes.

The Arcadia Chinese Association’s (ACA) mission is to promote the learning of Chinese culture, history, language, literature, and arts; support educational, charitable, and cultural events; serve as a bridge in the promotion of unity and harmony in an ethnically diverse community; and assist immigrants in understanding American traditions, citizenship, and community values.

The relationship between ACA members, city council members, and community leaders served as an important foundation for future ACA city involvement. This year ACA celebrates its 39^th year of providing community services in Arcadia. It has organized and participated in over 20 activity events each year, including supporting and donating to schools, educational facilities, libraries, fire/police departments, boy scouts and other charitable foundations. ACA recognizes that the spirit of volunteerism is an important part of American culture, which Asian immigrants can learn to appreciate and practice. Besides demonstrating Asian culture and supporting educational and charitable activities, ACA also promotes American culture and values to the Asian community while being the bridge in multicultural community, The mission of ACA is to continue Arcadia’s legacy of being the best place to live, cultivate friendships, and raise children.

Christine Zito is the owner of Pure Media Marketing located in Arcadia and has been designing and building stunning websites and producing online videos for over 14 years. In 2021, Christine hit an amazing milestone of 100 websites created, and in March of 2021, she was honored with a prestigious Telly Award for Professional Services for her work producing a local TV commercial for Garvey Roofing. Her experience and background include talk show and TV producer, which she did for over 17 years, along with DJing on Top 40 radio, plus hosting an award-winning TV show called ‘Little Bit of Sports.’ She brings years of experience and professionalism beyond compare, helping clients communicate clearly to their target audience with SEO. Christine is an Ambassador for the Arcadia Chamber and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

When Christine is not designing or behind a camera, you can find her wine tasting at a vineyard near you!

David spent most of his adult life working in EMS, law enforcement or fire departments, rising to the rank of Captain Paramedic. He started teaching CPR and First Aid classes soon after the 9/11 tragedy as a way of both “giving back” and preparing the community for other major disasters.

He has been an active member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for five years and has served as a Board Member and Ambassador and has been the Chairperson of the Ambassadors for three years. If you ask him what he likes about the Chamber he will tell you simply ‘the People.’ David loves networking and talking to everybody at Chamber events and loves to learn the inside stories about everybody’s businesses and help “plug” them in with other businesses.

Karen Gutierrez -Mac Nair is the CEO of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and been with the chamber for last four years.  The chamber has grown to help support the community and now working though this hard time in 2020 to stay engaged with the businesses. She has worked in the non-profit industry for over 23 years. Prior to her role at the Arcadia Chamber Karen was an elementary school teacher and then  principal  in the East Los Angeles area. She moved on to be the Executive Director at the Santa Anita Family YMCA in Monrovia where she worked for 9 years. Karen enjoys working with community groups and loves connecting people.

Aside from her CEO duties at the chamber, Karen sits on the board for the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association where she serves as treasure on the executive board.

Vicki Knight is the owner of Century Rooter Service and Plumbing in Monrovia. Their slogan; “If it doesn’t flush, we will come in a rush!” Vicki is no stranger to the Executive Board, as she served as President in 2014. Vicki also is on the Ambassador committee, welcoming new businesses to the Chamber. She also has been with the Chamber for over 19 years and brings experience and energy to the Board.

When Vicki is not running after non-flushing toilets, you’ll find her and her husband, Doug, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Outback Steakhouse.

Jennifer Stone had owned and operated her business, Imprintability, going on 15 years. Her slogan is, “You Can’t be Everywhere… But Your Logo Can!” Jennifer’s passion is helping businesses and organizations brand and market themselves in unique ways, be it through creating a logo or picking the perfect marketing pieces. Imprintability offers Digital Printing, Banners, Business cards, and much more.

When Jennifer is not at the office, she can generally be found listening to the great rocker, Stevie Nicks.