New Chamber Chief Plans Workshops

The Thousand Oaks / Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce has chosen Woodrow F. Brokenburr as its new president and chairman of the board for the 1996-97 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1.

Brokenburr, a senior engineer and project manager for GTE, oversees the telecommunication company’s construction projects in Southern California.

Brokenburr said the chamber will begin offering a variety of short courses and workshops for owners of small and medium-sized businesses who wish to brush up their budgeting and management skills.

“When we look at the mix of our members, it’s mainly comprised of small to medium-sized businesses,” he said. “A lot of them are not real proficient in things like hiring and the interview process.”

Chamber members will also continue their work attracting new businesses to the Conejo Valley and maintaining the region’s existing economic base, Brokenburr said.

“We have a lot to offer. It’s a great environment for businesses, as well as the community,” he said. “We want to maintain a business-friendly environment that is balanced with the desires and interests of the community as a whole.”

Brokenburr is past treasurer of the Council on Career Development for Minorities Inc., a board member of the Conejo Free Clinic and the Consortium for Advanced and Technical Education, and serves on the advisory council of the Minority Engineering Program at UCLA. He has received numerous awards for community service.

Serving on the chamber’s executive committee for the year is Conejo Valley Unified School District Supt. Jerry Gross, president-elect; Larry Carignan of Carignan Construction, chief financial officer; Ray Cobel of Cobel Target Marketing, vice chairman of economic development; Francisco Behr of Behr-Browers Architects Inc., vice chairman of governmental affairs; Doug Ross of Tech-Rite, vice chairman of membership; Jim Sumner of Merry Maids, vice chairman of fund development; Frances Prince of Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, member at-large, and CPA Judy St. John as past board chairwoman.