SBACC Recognizes Chamber Members Tara Nierenhausen (Community’s Child) & Larry Halvorsen (Express Employment Professionals)

Last month the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC) presented Tara Nierenhausen with the Non-Profit of the Year award and Larry Halvorsen received the Shaun Lumachi Advocacy Award at its Installation Luncheon. Each year, the SBACC invites all chambers of commerce affiliated with the SBACC to make nominations for different award categories.

Community’s Child under the leadership of Tara Nierenhausen was nominated and recognized as this year’s non profit of the year. Understanding the critical role that the nonprofit sector plays in our communities, this award recognizes that when business, government and nonprofits work together, their combined efforts will better solve the social issues and needs of our communities. 

The Shaun Lumachi award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in business advocacy through their work on an issue of regional importance. Larry Halvorsen was recognized for his advocacy in the creation of AB-255, meeting with Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi and business owners to discuss challenges during the pandemic specifically regarding businesses who had a financial impact and were not getting any rent relief for their commercial space.

During the event, Mark Waronek was installed as Chairman of the Board for the SBACC and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn installed the executive board including: Serena Josel, Kaiser Permanente South Bay; Elise Swanson, San Pedro Chamber of Commerce; Chad Maender, LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce; Dominik Knoll, Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce; Donna Duperron, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce; Heidi Butzine, Lomita Chamber of Commerce; Jill Dunn, Chevron; Julia Parton, Malaga Bank; Faviola Ochoa, SoCal Gas.