Gilroy Chamber approves board member candidates

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce approved four candidates for their board during their Oct. 16 board meeting: David Matuszak, director of the Santa Clara County Regional Occupational Program, Mark Turner, associate pastor at South Valley Community Church, Gina Lopez, State Farm insurance agent, and Cheryl Ellemberg, founder of ABD Promotions. 

Matuszak has been director for Santa Clara County ROP for 13 years, where he has focused on technical career opportunities for South County high school and community college.  He has served on the chamber’s board since 2010. 

Turner has worked as a pastor at SVCC for 10 years, where he currently oversees the youth ministries department. He is a Leadership Gilroy alumni and highly involved in community volunteer work.

Raised in the San Joaquin Valley, Lopez has a military background and has degrees in criminal justice and business administration. She began working for State Farm in 1998, and is also a member of various Latino marketing groups. 

Ellemberg founded AMB Promotions, a company that helps small business in their marketing. She is a social media fiend with thousands of followers on Twitter and Facebook. She also works part time for the Gilroy Unified School District as the Safe Routes to School coordinator. 

According to chamber bylaws, any chamber member interested in being considered for the board can submit a right to petition by Nov. 12.