In recent months, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center has been undergoing changes designed to revitalize the organization and ensure its ability to serve its mission. One initiative includes the addition of new members to the Chamber’s board of directors.
The new members are Santiago Pacheco and Joe Carter. Pacheco is the senior vice president of operations of Earthbound Farms LLC, in San Juan Bautista. Pacheco, who holds an MBA from Pepperdine University, has an extensive background in the food and beverage industry and brings extensive Chamber of Commerce experience at the director level. He began serving the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce on the board of directors in 1999, and became treasurer for that chamber in 2003. He and his family live in San Juan Bautista.
Carter is the director of safety and compliance for Brent Redmond Transportation in Hollister. He, too, has previous experience as a chamber member and community volunteer. He was appointed by the Porterville City Council to serve as a commissioner on the Library and Literacy Commission and he served the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, with work on the Business Mentoring Committee working with young business professionals. In addition, Carter served as a volunteer for the Porterville Chamber of Commerce for more than 17 years, and was directly involved with the presentation of several special events in that community. Carter and his wife, Donnette, live in Tres Pinos. Donnette is the chief executive officer and manager of the San Benito County Fair.
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is organized for the purpose of creating, promoting and celebrating economic vitality in San Benito County by providing resources to business and individuals. It is located at 243 Sixth St., Suite 100 in Hollister.