OP Area Chamber gets 2025 rolling with enthusiastic exec board
Published 4:20 pm Friday, January 10, 2025
- The 2025 Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board is ready to go! From left to right: President Suzanne Luttrell, new Director Michelle Zilli, Director Cindi Pellerin, new Director Brad Stephens, Secretary Becky Winters, Treasurer Bob Beezley and Office Administrator Marilyn Van Sickle. Not present was Vice President Theron Dixon. As Luttrell welcomed the board to the new year, she thanked outgoing board members Sylvana and JR Sorrells and Mark Mansell for their work.
OCEAN PARK — The Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce held their first 2025 membership meeting on Jan. 9 in the PCFD No. 1 Fire Hall.
President Suzanne Luttrell was sworn in by former chamber board member and owner of Harmony Soaps Diana Thompson. Luttrell then turned to her “team” and swore in the returning and new executive board members and directors.
A good-sized crowd of 28 people attended the early morning meeting. Luttrell mentioned that although the chamber faces a lodging tax funding reduction this year, the board has already met to brainstorm money-saving ideas that would not detract from OPACC events, marketing and informational materials the community and visitors have come to expect.
There was good news from Luttrell regarding improvements to the power pole at Sheldon Field. This year’s 43rd NW Garlic Festival, to be held at the field on Sept. 13-14, is expected to bring more vendors. The power pole is crucial to that growth.
More good news is that the Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade, which made a fantastic comeback in 2024, will have its route extended. Entrants will line up at the Beach Barons Field this year and the parade will officially begin at the intersection of Sandridge Road and Bay Avenue, then follow the usual route through town and down Vernon to 256th Street.
OPACC members gave brief updates on their businesses and/or organizations. Fire Chief Jacob Brundage mentioned an upcoming meeting on wildfire safety in February and said they are hoping to have community input at the meeting (date to be determined). Sheriff Daniel Garcia stopped by and gave an update on the jail transition and took questions from the floor.
At the end of 2024, OPACC had 115 members, several being new businesses to the area. Treasurer Bob Beezley reported membership renewals have been brisk so far this year and he expects full renewal by February.
“This will be the year of the volunteer,” said Luttrell at the end of the meeting. “Because of reduced funding, we will have to come up with creative ways to do things and volunteers will be part of that solution.”
OPACC meets on the second Thursday of the month at 8 a.m. in the Fire Hall community room. The public is welcome. For information about joining, countywide events or volunteering, visit opwa.com, email opchamber@opwa.com, visit the office located at 1715 Bay Ave, Ocean Park (Tuesday – Friday, noon to 4 p.m.), or call Marilyn at: 360-665-4448.
