Attorney to lead Simi Chamber

Richard S. “Dick” Erbe has been selected chairman of the board for the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Erbe is a practicing patent attorney in Simi Valley, concentrating on patents, trademarks and licensing since opening his practice about five years ago.

Prior to that, he worked for Walt Disney Imagineering for 15 years, primarily in the legal department. He also has worked as an engineer in the energy and environmental fields.

He has been a member of the Chamber board since July 2003. He has served as chairman of the Business Development Round-table, chairman of the Leadership Simi Valley Steering Committee, committee chair for the Chamber’s reaccreditation and vice chairman of membership development.

Erbe has a bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and a juris doctorate from California College of Law in Los Angeles.

He is a registered professional engineer and licensed attorney at law in California and registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the Ventura County Bar Association.

Other Chamber officers are Karen Gabler of Nordman Cormany Hair & Compton, chair elect; Cole Minnick of California Oaks State Bank, CFO; and Daryl Kleintob of Supercuts, past chair.

Vice chairs are Steve Reder of Mavericks Restaurant, Norman Beebe with the East County Job and Career Center, and Colleen Janssen with Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

Board members for 2007 are Joe Engle of LoanSmart, Greg Gonzales of Americomm Systems, Larry Hibbler of Simi Valley Ford, Jill Haney of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Lisa Holloman of Countrywide, Greg Lenners of Simi Valley Town Center, Thom McLean of Ventura County Star, Tom Saulnier of HandnHand Total Body Wellness and Tom Tarn of The Boeing Company.

Officers and directors will take office Jan. 1 and will be installed at the Chamber’s annual Chairman’s Recognition Awards Luncheon.