~ Warren Bennis
Dear Valued FACCOC Community Members,
As we move into the latter half of one of the most tumultuous and harrowing decades in human history, I can’t help but take a moment to look with immense pride at how far our organization has come since that fateful mid-March day in 2020 where the entire world came to a halt. While there will always linger that lament for all that was lost, we can certainly take comfort in all that we gained, especially in the greater appreciation for life and all the blessing we do have.
As an organization, FACCOC was blessed to have a strong leader during the pandemic in Joseph Joseph, and then through the pandemic-recovery period under Geraldine Larson. We were equally as blessed to have had the unwavering support of our long-standing sponsors and partners, notably US Bank, Metropolitan Water District, and OCTA. And because our leadership under Edwin Baloloy and Neil Estrada in the years just preceding the pandemic had already begun the pivot to more modernized and tech savvy chamber, FACCOC was well poised to adapt when the need unexpectedly arose. I will forever be grateful for the great work they’ve done in building such a solid foundation for the future I inherit.
As we stand at the precipice of the remaining 5 years of this decade, 2026 will mark the year where we finally will turn the page on recovery, and head full steam into a new chapter where we experience a more “normal” way of life. Every chamber president has had a theme that defines their respective terms. My predecessor Geraldine championed her term’s message to “elevate” ourselves and our businesses, and to not let the obstacles we’ve just endured keep us down and out. Now, to elevate has become part of the standard mode for our community.
For my theme, I’ve chosen to take on a narrative that isn’t a message but a question. As business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals, we are posed everyday with choices that require us to invest either our time, our money, and our resources. And when we make those decisions, I absolutely believe we should fully embrace the experience of the present, but we should also always ask the question — “What’s next?”
So keep your eyes forward. Bring yourself to the point where you know the game’s next 10 steps. It will enlighten you to the value of your investments, help you see the hidden opportunities, and make your choices more fulfilling. And when you want to ensure that you have a trusted partner — a community of support, that is also looking out to ensure you get real return and value — know that FACCOC is that partner for what’s next.
Very best,
Jeffrey B. Bautista
President, 2026-2027