SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce announced the addition of two new staff members, including a Hispanic business development and services representative.
Efrain Salazar Cullors will serve as the Chamber's Hispanic Business Development and Services Representative, and Romina Montemurro will serve as the new Communications Coordinator.
The two new staff members are familiar with Santa Maria, especially Salazar Colores, who grew up in the city and attended Santa Maria High School and Allan Hancock College.
Montemurro is a native of Arroyo Grande and graduated from Arroyo Grande High School and Cal Poly.
Salazar-Cullors, who also graduated from Long Beach State University with a degree in marketing, will help strengthen the chamber's role within the growing Hispanic business community.
“What I'm trying to do is work closely with Hispanic businesses and build lasting, positive relationships that help the Hispanic community and local Hispanic businesses,” Salazar-Cullors said. . “My primary responsibility is to facilitate relationships with the Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic community, who often feel uncomfortable contacting government agencies.I am a facilitator who helps them. Reach out and help them feel comfortable. ”
Salazar Colores believes his personal connection to the city is an asset in building connections with local business owners.
“Growing up in this area, it's clear to me that there are a lot of Hispanic-owned businesses in this community. And I want to help them grow, because if these businesses thrive, the whole community “To thrive,” Salazar-Colores said. “I really feel like there's a lot of potential for the Hispanic community and Hispanic-owned businesses within this community. Maybe it will motivate some people to start new businesses and help support that part of our community. I hope to contribute to its growth.”
Montemurro earned a degree in journalism and took on a new parliamentary position with a focus on public relations.
“I will work closely with internal and external teams to communicate strategic communications across a variety of channels, including social media and other public relations, corporate activities and public event planning,” Montemurro said. “It allows the Chamber to effectively communicate its message and truly unite businesses and all its proceedings, ensuring that Chamber members and those who are not members but wish to become members are aware that: “It's very important that we have a community here that supports them and helps them in their future business endeavors.” ”
Montemurro, who grew up just a short drive north on Highway 101, is excited to stay close to home and help Santa Maria businesses succeed and thrive as the city continues to grow and move forward. Told.
“As a Central Coast local, I grew up here and have visited and lived in this area all my life, so I'm really, really proud and really honored to have this opportunity. “We have a very strong community of businesses, business owners, clients, patrons and consumers here, so we're able to work with local businesses and really support them through the process,” Montemurro said. said. “Everything works together here, and the way businesses interact is also very special, because we have a family-oriented social community, so there is no need for business procedures here. There's a really great community.”
For more information about the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, click here to visit their website.
