Janet Beronio to chair business chamber

Janet Beronio, regional president and general manager at Harrah’s Resort Southern California, will become North San Diego Business Chamber board chairwoman on July 1.

Beronio, a four-year chamber member and board member for the last three, said she plans to promote the Rancho Bernardo-based organization’s overall goals and show business leaders how their membership has value.

“It provides members what they need to be successful in their business ... and certainly helps to strengthen their business and the economy of the North County,” Beronio said, adding she does not plan to change the chamber’s direction, just “build upon the work it is doing and continue to strengthen its retention rates.”

Beronio said she joined the chamber when she learned how it engages members on a broad scale. “It’s more than just going to mixers,” she said. “It’s really about how to be a broader voice in the community. I was impressed with the direction it was taking.”

She said it does a good job in addressing the needs of its diverse membership, from large international corporations to small locally-owned businesses. Methods include programs like Regional Connect mixers, Leaders of Change speakers and Professional Development Forum, plus resources on the chamber’s website.

Small businesses are particularly likely to benefit from connection opportunities available through membership, she said.

“They get access to the best (business) practices at different levels, get together and hear from (leaders) and establish relationships,” she said. “I have found this to be invaluable and we are large. ... We get a lot of value from all the various activities and relationships that have been established. Regardless of size, there are connections for everyone.”

She said the chamber’s Think Local First initiative — which promotes entities doing business locally — is among her favorites. “It continues to grow and gain momentum,” Beronio said, adding that even if it costs a little more to buy from a local business, the benefits are worth it. These include increasing local tax dollars and helping the economy by providing local jobs. “When you purchase local, it benefits the community.”

But the initiative is not just about purchases. She said it is also about local education and hiring locals, instead of bringing workers in from out of state. Educational institutions need to teach the skills local businesses need and businesses need to hire local graduates. “It’s about buying, hiring and expanding what we do to strengthen the local economy,” she said.

Beronio also mentioned the chamber’s efforts to help military personnel transitioning into civilian life, and San Diego Women’s Week, where she has been a panelist. “That continues to grow every year, with powerful speakers and everybody is energized.” She said it is not like any other women’s conference she has attended, partially due to offering a focus for each day, ranging from women’s health to finance.

Beronio earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and juris doctorate from the University of San Diego. She has been with Caesars Entertainment (Harrah’s parent company) for more than 30 years. She was an attorney with it for 10 years before switching to the management side, and been its southern California general manager since 2003, after managing its property near Phoenix. As regional president she still oversees that plus the Valley Center location.

The other 2015-16 board officers will be elected in July. Board newcomers are Richard Marks (RDM Management Group), Ric Militi (InnoVision Marketing Group), Susan Miller (Oracle Corporation), Charlie Piscitello (Petco Animal Supplies) and Patricia Reily (California State University San Marcos).

Returning are Derrick Breaux (ZCode Magazines), Cynthia Curiel (Northrop Grumman), Melanie Duong (Sun Orthodontics), Jennifer Farnham (Gilbane Building Co.), Melissa Hayden Cook (Sharp Health Plan), Karen Hewitt (Jones Day), Glen Hopkins (Hewlett-Packard), Jan Jones (The Elizabeth Hospice), Robert McClure (San Diego Zoo Safari Park), Fred Nasseri (Unicorn Jewelry), Mike Peters (Pacific Western Bank), Debra Rosen (North San Diego Business Chamber), Patricia Reno (RBC Wealth Management), Don Stanziano (Scripps Health), Rich Talmo (Palomar College Foundation), Ron Wasigner (Sony Electronics, Inc.), Keith Wilschetz (San Diego Airport Authority) and Steve Wragg (RBF Consulting). Returning ex-officio directors are Mark Baker (Baker Enterprises, LLC), Frank Belock (San Diego County Water Authority), Darren Gretler (County of San Diego) and Alicia Gwynn (Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation).