ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce gathered the local business community Friday, Jan. 16 at District 56 to honor leaders in commerce and community service during its 74th Board Installation and Recognition Gala.

The annual gala celebrates the efforts of citizens and businesses whose work strengthened the city over the past year while serving as the chamber’s formal installation ceremony for its board of directors. The evening also highlights the contributions of chamber members and its ambassadors.

Former chamber board chairman Steven Ladd served as master of ceremonies, keeping the program lively with humorous one-liners as awards and raffle prizes were presented throughout the night.

Several local and regional leaders attended the event, including SMUD board member Rosanna Herber and U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, who addressed attendees at the start of the gala.

 

Several local and regional leaders attended the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce’s 74th Volunteer Recognition and Board Installation Gala, including U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, center, and Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, second from right. Photos by Franklin Ikekwere, Emerald Passage Studio

“Each one of the honorees really represents what makes this city special. It shows that progress doesn’t happen by accident; it happens when people step up, when people are willing to innovate, to serve and to really think above and beyond,” Matsui said.

Matsui reflected on Elk Grove’s collaborative spirit, crediting it as a driving force behind the city’s growth and its reputation across the region.

“Entrepreneurs, creatives and families, they choose this community because it offers opportunity and quality of life,” she said. “So its leaders like this that are really making sure that it (Elk Grove) remains successful.”

Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume also offered remarks, recognizing small businesses and nonprofits alike while praising the chamber for providing networking opportunities and honoring local achievement.

Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the business community.

 

Genny Walker-Fulp, a member of Soroptimist International of Elk Grove and a chamber ambassador, received the 2025 Elk Grove Chamber Service Award at the 74th Volunteer Recognition and Board Installation Gala on Jan. 16. 

“Elk Grove is proud to have a thriving business community and we know that businesses are the backbone of all the cities across this great nation,” Singh-Allen said. “Thank you for lifting local economies today and every day.”

The chamber first recognized member service, honoring Genny Walker-Fulp, a member of Soroptimist International of Elk Grove and a chamber ambassador, with the 2025 Elk Grove Chamber Service Award. Ryan Lowery was named Ambassador of the Year.

Business award recipients included Sacramento Splash as Nonprofit of the Year, Sac Town’s Finest Print as Small Business of the Year, AnyThyme Catering as Rookie Business of the Year and ISSE Services as Business of the Year.

The chamber also recognized longtime board members Sarah Costa and Christopher Hoffman, who were thanked for a combined 15 years of service on the board of directors.

The newly installed 2026 board was introduced during the gala. Members include Chair-elect Oscar O’Con of 13-Fold Foundation; Vice Chairs Patrick Nelson of Republic Services and Tara Porter of SMUD; Secretary-Treasurer Phyllis Baltz of Dignity Health Methodist Hospital; and directors Bret Bartholomew of Bartholomew Family Vineyards, Ed Bush of Cosumnes River College, Mike Daley of Apple Inc., Bob Miller of First US Community Credit Union, Joyce Nazabal of Town Planner Community Calendar, Monica Patel of BMO Bank and Robert Rhymes of Access Remedy.

 

Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Angela Perry, left, is pictured with re-elected chamber chairwoman Amy Labowitch at the Jan. 16 Gala.

Amy Labowitch was re-elected to serve as chair for 2026, closing out the gala with a look back at a year of growth and a forward-facing vision for the chamber.

Labowitch highlighted several milestones from 2025, including a 25% increase in ribbon cuttings for new businesses or changes in management. She also noted expanded social media outreach and visibility, along with the addition of 180 new members. That growth, she said, was fueled in part by a partnership with the city of Elk Grove that offered first-year memberships at no cost to new businesses.

Looking ahead, Labowitch outlined priorities for the coming year, emphasizing the chamber’s role in supporting a stronger and more inclusive local economy. She said that a definitive goal for the chamber entering the year is to “promote, educate and support economic equity.”

As part of that effort, the chamber will host a new resource fair and mixer March 19 as well as launch a website intended to serve as a guided network of information and connections, making it easier for businesses to access resources and expand in Elk Grove.

“We’re going to provide the heart of what economic equity is and that is equal access to resources, income and wealth for all,” Labowitch said.

 

From left are Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce ambassador Scot Smith of Purple Penguin Magic, chamber director Robert Rhymes of Access Remedy and ambassador Jason Crowson of Teen Center of Elk Grove.