Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce

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Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors 2009-2010

President - Fred Palmer
Member Since February 2002
President of Outword Magazine, Inc.

Outword Magazine Inc

Fred is one of the original founding members of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce and is the founder and Publisher of Outword Magazine.

Now in its 14th year, Outword Magazine is an award winning LGBT publication and publishes on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, providing news and entertainment for the LGBT community, as well as image consulting, logo design, fund raising, and alternative distribution channels to its clients.

Fred's past corporate experience includes several years at ICG Communications as VP of Marketing and several years in Regional Marketing for MCI Communications. He currently works with many community organizations and committees, and is a board member of WEAVE Inc..

Vice President - Steven Walker
Member Since October 2005
President of Fast Break Tech, Inc.

Fast Break Tech Inc

Steven has a mind for innovation. Starting at age 15, he would seek out a process that needs improvement and develop a solution to increase its effectiveness. This hobby extended into his professional life, where he spends each day analyzing his clients’ computer networks & operations, consulting on how to better use technology to stay ahead of their competition.

From 2007-2009, Steven has utilized technology to increase the Rainbow Chamber’s operations, organization and efficiency. Communication within the chamber has been strengthened, the website has become more functional, and attendance to meetings has been remarkable. As Vice President, he continues to bring new techniques to the chamber all year long!

Steven graduated from California State University Sacramento in 2007 with a degree in Management Information Science.

Treasurer - Jason Russell, CPA
Member Since September 2005
Manager of Marcia Fritz & Company

Marcia Fritz & Company

Jason Russell CPA, a certified public accountant, concentrating on corporate and non-profit accounting and auditing. He provides experienced counsel in business taxation, valuation and general accounting. Jason has worked with various local governments, non-profits and public companies in audits, and consulting services. Jason has extensive experience in the non-profit arena including the formation of 503 (c) (3) and 503 (c) (6) as well as the related tax returns. Jason's knowledge doesn't stop there, he has been involved with corporate taxation for several years. With this knowledge, Jason Russell provides a well rounded business consultant for any entity.

Jason graduated suma cum laude from Biola University, La Mirada, with a bachelor in accounting in 2001. Jason is an active member of the United Parachutist Association (USPA) as well as a multiple Guinness Book of World Records holder.

Secretary - Stephanie Slagel
Member Since June 2006
State Farm Insurance

State Farm Insurance and Financial Services

Stephanie owns her own State Farm Insurance Agency and has since October 2002. In fact, she has been affiliated with State Farm for over 23 years in various capacities. Helping her clients protect what's important to them is the main priority in Stephanie's office. She and her team provide advice and peace of mind to her clients in the areas of Auto, Home, Life, Health and Business insurance protection. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Business Management and has furthered her insurance education by earning her Chartered Life Underwriter designation in 1994.

Stephanie is passionate about giving back to her community and, in addition to being Secretary for the Rainbow Chamber Foundation, she will also be serving on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club of Carmichael for a second term. She has also served as Treasurer for the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce. Stephanie has lived in Fair Oaks with her spouse, Markee, since 2001.

Member at Large - Brian Bentzen
Member Since October 2007
The Pampered Chef

The Pampered Chef

Brian is now serving his second term as a Member at Large and brings numerous talents and interests to the Board of Directors of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. He knows how to host social events and business networking. He also earned a Masters in Psychology at CSUS. He has been a very successful full time host with the Pampered Chef since 2001.

The Pampered Chef offers a line of kitchen tools, food products, and cookbooks aimed for preparing food in the home. Brian hosts shows where he invites friends over for a social event at which the products are demonstrated while recipes are prepared for his guests to enjoy.

As an Area Director of BNI (Business Networking International) in the Central Valley, Brian knows the value of business networking. As a result of joining the Rainbow Chamber, he is able to network with the other members to provide referrals for their businesses. Brian wants to teach the other Rainbow chamber members how they may realize substantially increased business referrals through networking. Brian and has also volunteered at the Child & Family Institute and the Child Abuse Prevention Council helping to break the cycle of Child Abuse. Brian also provides free cooking classes for the elderly.

Brian joined the Rainbow Chamber in October 2007. He is very proud of his work on the Board last year as the Membership chairman, during which he was able to double the membership during his term from 140 to over 280 members. He is looking forward to beginning his second year on the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors as a Member at Large, and is proud again to be on the Annual dinner committee. He resides in the Arden Arcade area of Sacramento shares his home with his cat Meeko and his very best friend, Scott.

Member at Large - Dr. Darrick Lawson
Member Since July 2000
Healing Touch Chiropractic

Healing Touch Chiropractic

"It has always been my goal to provide a place for healing. I approach chiropractic from the knowledge that every function in your body is under the direct control of your brain and nerve system. All body systems, such as digestion, immunity, circulation, elimination, only occur if the brain sends the appropriate signal.

"When misalignments “subluxations” of the spine occur, this can block the ability of the brain to communicate to the cells of the body. This pinching of the spinal nerves may result in pain or other unwanted health conditions. Simply put, if your brain cannot communicate with the organs and systems of your body, you will not be able to function to your highest potential. This is a tragedy.

"No matter your health condition, it makes sense to insure that you have full nerve flow to each and every cell of your body for optimal health and happiness. The consultation is always FREE for members and friends of the Rainbow Chamber!"

Member at Large - Roy Guira
Member Since March 2008
Stylist - The Associates

Stylist

The Associates

Roy Guira joined the Rainbow Chamber in March 2008. Since that time, he has been our Chamber ambassador, taking members to visit other Chambers throughout the Sacramento area. He also chaired our float for the 2009 Sacramento Pride parade. He organized the staff and float decorations to help make a fun-filled day.

Outside of the Chamber, Roy is a hair stylist. He has been a licensed Cosmetologist in the State of California since 2004, and currently works at The Associates in East Sacramento. He is trained in Aveda, Matrix, Logics and Kenra color and product lines. As a skilled stylist, he does men and women’s cut and colors, and specializes in updos for weddings and styling for other special events such as photo shoots.

Roy has a passion for hair, but more importantly, a passion for people. He may not be able to solve a client’s problems, but he knows he can make them feel better even if it’s just for one afternoon. One of his favorite parts about being a stylist is watching a person transform in his chair: going from feeling average, to feeling like the beautiful person he knows they are.

Member at Large - Gerald Filice
Member Since July 2008
Attorney at Law
Principal, Filice Law Offices

Principal, Filice Law Offices

Gerald is an attorney in private practice, emphasizing civil litigation in the areas of business, real estate, family law and civil rights. Born and raised in the East Bay, Gerald graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga (1978) and the University of Denver College of Law (1981), and has been practicing law since. He maintains an office in Sacramento as well as in Alamo, Contra Costa County. Gerald is committed to vigorously protecting and enforcing the rights of his clients, including those in the GLBT community, whom he believes have been underserved by the legal profession.

He has been active in the nonprofit community for many years, as a board member and officer of several foundations and nonprofit corporations. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Alamo, of which he was president in 2001-02.

Gerald is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. He hopes to continue the work of building the organization, to interact with the wider business and professional community on behalf of the RCC, and to raise funds for those in the GLBT community who are in need.

Member at Large - Bonnie Osborn
Member Since 2005
Owner, WriteAway Communication Services

Owner

WriteAway Communication Services

Bonnie Osborn is a communications professional and writer with more than 15 years experience as a journalist, public relations practitioner and advocate for LGBT causes. After receiving her Bachelor of Journalism degree from University of Missouri-Columbia in 1994, Bonnie worked as a reporter and editor for weekly and daily newspapers in Missouri and Southern California. In 2000, she entered public relations field, holding positions at Los Angeles County Public Health and medical research center City of Hope. In 2001, she joined the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, where she served as communications director for three years.

In 2004, Bonnie launched her own company, WriteAway Communications Services, which specializes in creating newsletters, e-letters and corporate marketing materials. She continues to write for publication, and her work has been published recently in Jane and Jane Magazine, the Central Valley Business Journal and Outword Magazine. After serving for three years as pro bono communications director for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, Bonnie recently joined the Center staff as its Communications and Development Director.

Bonnie lives with her partner of 16 years in Sacramento, California. When not at her computer, she loves to hike, bike, camp and explore the beautiful rivers, mountains and beaches of Northern California.

Rainbow Chamber of CommerceBoard of Directors 2009-2010

Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors 2009-2010