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About the Chamber

The Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce is proud to represent our vibrant and growing community of businesses

Our Mission

The mission of the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce is to act as a voice for the business and professional community and translate into action the group thinking of its members. To render specific services to members and the community as a whole. All businesses within and around the City of Hawthorne are invited to join the Chamber and participate in its various community events.

Founded in 1959, the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce continues to grow and add new community and business events on a yearly basis and proudly hosts one of the largest “State of the City” event in the entire South Bay area!

Our Board of Directors

  • Pat Carey

  • Raj Dhillon

  • Patricia Donaldson

  • Dawn Harris

  • Kelly McGee

  • Michael Pulver

  • Connie Turner

Denise Campos

So Cal Gas

Denise Campos has over 15 years of professional experience in public affairs and government relations. Denise works at So Cal Gas as a Public Affairs Manager covering 14 cities in Los Angeles County. Prior, she spent a decade in public service, as working for various Los Angeles City Councilmembers, the City Attorney, and an LAUSD Board Member. She is a City and State Commissioner, serving on the California Architect’s Board and on the City of Los Angeles City El Pueblo Historic Monument Authority Commission. She serves on numerous nonprofit and chamber boards, and is a graduate from San Diego State University with dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Mexican-American Studies.

Pat Carey

Beach Cities Aviation, LLC

Pat is the former Director of Operations and Check Airman Advance Air Charters, LLC, and currently is the Chief Pilot and Check Airman for Star Helicopter. Pat is also the co-owner of Beach Cities Aviation Academy. Pat began his flying career at the Hawthorne Airport in 1963 and obtained a Commercial Pilot certificate in 1966. He entered the US Army in April 1968 and served in Vietnam as a helicopter gunship pilot. Throughout his military career, Pat served in many staff and command assignments including Command of Libby Army Airfield in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He retired his military career as a Major and a Fixed and Rotary Wing Master Aviator in 1987.

Pat holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Cameron University in Oklahoma and a Masters of Science degree in Systems Management for University of Southern California’ School of Saften and Systems Management. Pat and his wife Kathleen live in Hawthorne and have three adult children and two grandchildren all living in the Los Angeles area.

Raj Dhillon

US Tow

Raj Dhillon has owned and operated U.S. Tow/Hawthorne since 2006. U.S. Tow is the official police tow for the City of Hawthorne. Prior to owing U.S. Tow, Mr. Dhillon was an attorney in the California Attorney General’s Office. In the AG’s Office he prosecuted cases for the Health Quality Enforcement Section, primarily focusing on physician discipline.

Patricia Donaldson

Active Security Solutions

Patricia Donaldson is the first Woman Business Owner in enterprise security in the State of California operating Active Security Solutions, Inc. for 38 years. The opportunities, challenges and changes of operating a small business led Patricia to becoming more involved in City, County and State business issues by becoming the leader of The Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce.

Patricia Donaldson is just as active in her personal life as her professional life. In addition to her auspicious service projects through the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce, Hope Is Helping Foundation and as Executive Board Member of the South Bay Area Chambers of Commerce where she advises our California elected officials on issues that affect the Bay communities, Patricia counsels and mentors women that have suffered domestic abuse.

Patricia’s commitment to family is profound. Married to a retired police detective that is also a trainer in public safety for a healthy community, Patricia completes her life by taking a major role in each of her seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren’s lives. She is an active a regular member of West Angeles Church of God & Christ in Los Angeles.

Patricia is a believer in a full and engaging life with a marked commitment to business growth and personal service.

Dawn Harris

Republic Services

Dawn Harris joined Republic Services in 1998, and has served in a variety of positions within the Company. After a brief 3 year stint elsewhere within the industry, Dawn returned home to the Republic Family, serving as Municipal Relationship Manager for the Gardena Hauling Division. With over 25 years of industry experience, and many of those as Customer Service Manager, Dawn is very comfortable serving as a liaison and working to achieve “win-win” status for her clients. Dawn has extensive experience overseeing contract compliance and is very knowledgeable in local and state disposal policies. Dawn has been a prestigious Republic Services winner of the Award for Contract Management Excellence. An alumni of Azusa Pacific University, Dawn completed the course of study for Organizational Leadership. Outside of work, Dawn is an avid sports fan – most notably of college basketball.

Harold Johnson

LAX

Harold Johnson is a Principal Public Relations Representative whose main responsibilities include coordinating the business and educational programs of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Community Relations Division including the Aviation Careers Education (ACE) Academy, LAX Airport Tours and involvement with the Friends of the LAX Dunes. For businesses, Johnson represents LAWA at various community organizations including the Greater Los Angeles African American and Hawthorne Chambers of Commerce and the Black Business Association. . As a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, he is a current member of the Rotary Club of Playa Venice and past member of the Rotary Clubs of El Segundo and Westchester.

Johnson serves on the board of directors for the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce, and formerly held a board of director’s seat for the LAX Coastal Area Chamber of Commerce, WC3, the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference and the Neighborhood Council of Westchester Playa where he was publicly elected in May 2014.

Deanna Latimore

3P Insurance Services Inc.

is one of our newest board members and has taken up the charge to enhance communications for the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce within the community and beyond. When she is not working on chamber projects, Deanna has a successful career as a benefits specialist, always finding solutions to help local area businesses grow and save on their bottom line! As a breast cancer survivor, Deanna is also very active in the cancer community, raising awareness and financial support for various groups.

Kelly MaGee

Sales, Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator, SpaceX

Kelly Magee joined SpaceX in July 2007 as a Marketing Coordinator, and then was promoted to a Sales Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator; her duties are running the online SpaceX Employee/Public Store”. Prior to SpaceX, Kelly worked for over 10 years in the Healthcare Industry, at Keenan & Associates. Her job duties ranged from working on medical/dental claims, creating PowerPoint presentations, creating healthcare flyers, working on Accumulation Program for Part-time and Limited Services Employees (APPLE) retirement packages.Kelly received Hawthorne’s 2012 Ned Chaffee Memorial Award as the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year.

Michael Pulver

U Haul

is one of our newest board members and has taken up the charge to enhance communications for the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce within the community and beyond. When she is not working on chamber projects, Deanna has a successful career as a benefits specialist, always finding solutions to help local area businesses grow and save on their bottom line! As a breast cancer survivor, Deanna is also very active in the cancer community, raising awareness and financial support for various groups.

Sheryl Singh

South Bay Workforce Investment Board

Sheryl Singh is the Office Manager at South Bay Workforce Investment Board for last twenty three years. On Board of Director’s for Hawthorne, Inglewood and Lawndale Chamber. Board member of Hawthorne President’s Council, Hawthorne Parks and Recreation Foundation and Moneta Gardens.

Connie Turner

Southern California Edison

Connie Turner is a highly successful Government Affairs Representative with over 28 years of experience at a major electric utility. She is a specialist at building and strengthening relationships with local governmental officials, ratepayers and stakeholders. Connie has specialized knowledge of strategic program planning and implementation, management, resource allocation, personnel supervision and performance evaluation, legislative advocacy, public relations, marketing/marketing support, project management and problem solving. She is an energetic leader and mentor. Connie easily builds team cohesion and inspires individuals to strive towards a higher position of increased responsibility. Connie’s position in the Company affords her the resources to meet external community needs and to educate and provide recommendations on local policy issues. Connie currently manages 27 Cities and you can find her supporting many of the organizations within her Cities. Connie believes in making a difference, not just with corporate donations and sponsorships, but with her personal hands on involvement. She has cooked and served hot dogs for the past five years at the Gardena Chamber annual backpack school supply giveaway. Connie has helped paint schools in Compton, building homes with Habitat for Humanity and mentoring young members of the NAACP Long Beach Chapter. She volunteers with the Andy Street Project and the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Connie ensures the organizations that are making an impact in the community, receives the financially support needed to continue serving disadvantage communities. These are some of the organizations that Connie is dedicated to supporting: Respected for her ability to understand complex issues, develop and maintain diverse coalitions and leading highly publicized and multi-million dollar investment projects forward. She plays a key role in several high-profile South Bay reliability projects including the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics, NFL Rams and Chargers Los Angeles Stadium in Hollywood Park Inglewood, Clippers NBA Arena in Inglewood and Metro Crenshaw/LAX Project - Inglewood