Chamber Leadership
2022 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
- President: Fred Steingraf, Edward Jones Financial (Term 2021-2022)
- Vice President: Rebecca Troxell, Rebecca’s Vault (Term 2021-2022)
- Past President: John McCormick, Lamorinda Music (Term 2022-2023)
- Secretary: Kathy Merchant (Term 2022-2023)
- Treasurer: Caesar Perales*, CPA (At-Large Member, Term 2022)
- Dennis Garrison, Oakwood Athletic Club (Term 2022-2023)
- Chris Lane, Bank of the West (Term 2022-2023)
Directors
- Brian Aiello, Pinnacle Apparel & Promotions (Term 2022-2023)
- Christina Alba, Rivulet Chiropractic (Term 2021-2022)
- Nick Bozych, Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa (Term 2022-2023)
- Leila Douglah, Douglah Designs/Luxe Home (Term 2021-2022)
- Dennis Erokan*, Consultant, Get Famous (Term 2021-2022)
- Travis Johnson, Dream Big Construction (Term 2021-2022)
- Matt Pease, Lafayette Rotary (Term 2022-2023)
- Christine Raymond, Lafayette Social (Term 2021-2022) Welcome Post: IG FB
- Katie Santos, Katie Santos Consulting-Fitness HR (Term 2022-2023)
- Tom Schnurr, Sequoia Signs & Graphics (Term 2021-2022) Welcome Post: IG FB
- Wendy Tamis, Clocks Etc. (Term 2021-2022)
- Jesse Wellen, Lafayette Car Wash & Detail Center (Term 2021-2022)
Advisory Board
- Niroop Kasthuri Srivatsa, City Manager, City of Lafayette
- Don Tatzin, Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation
- Richard Whitmore, Lafayette School District
*Director At Large
Chamber Staff

Executive Director
Jay Lifson
925-284-7404, Ext. 111
Jay Lifson was born and raised in the slums of Beverly Hills. Yes, there really are slums in Beverly Hills. He attended Beverly Hills High School where he spent a lot of time playing football and running track. It’s a shame Jay suddenly stopped growing at the age of 15. Please don’t bring it up, he thinks he is 5’10”. Jay was a Boy Scout, until he was asked to leave. Actually he was told to leave.
Jay began his long restaurant career with Bob’s Big Boy, home of “Steaks, Shakes and Pancakes.” It is rumored that the “Big Boy” statue is actually modeled after Jay.
Jay and his “not too smart” partners bought a restaurant in Lafayette in 1982. The Rocking Horse was on the west end of town and Jay operated that for a little over 5 years.
Jay managed Hungry Hunter, the Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa & Duck Club and Bing Crosby’s Restaurant before he took the job at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The Rocking Horse is gone. Hungry Hunter, gone. Duck Club, adios. Bing’s, history. 0-5 way to go Jay.
Jay is the proud father of three daughters and Papa to his three grandsons. His bride Kathy Doyle is an RN at Kaiser Walnut Creek. They have been married for over 37 years.
Now that you have learned all of this, aren’t you just a little more concerned about our city?
Jay has been your Executive Director of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce for seventeen years. At one point he was your President/CEO. But during the recession and COVID-19 times got tough and the chamber just could not afford a CEO at the time, so he’s your Executive Director again.
Enough kidding around! It is truly a pleasure to serve the businesses and residents of Lafayette. We are lucky to have such a wonderful place to call home. This community has a big heart and soul and I will do whatever I can to make sure the Lafayette Chamber is busy contributing to our collective success. We model our organization after a big happy family (without the mini-dramas).
Real news … I’ll be retiring the fall of October 2022, yup, to spend more time with family!

Associate Executive Director
Sara Regan
925-284-7404, Ext. 110

Office Manager
Linda Carlson
925-284-7404, Ext. 113

Communications Director
Holly Sonne
925-284-7404, Ext. 115
2022 Ambassadors
- Diane Athanasiou, Volunteer
- David Benet, Mobility Matters
- Matt Boone, Dana Green Team
- Grace Dixon, Lafayette Community Foundation
- Reid Edwards, White Pony Express
- Mike Hayes, Cross-Group Marketing and Networking
- Dennis Markam, Town Hall Theatre
- Stephanie McNabb, Primp Salon
- Jenn Mecham, Unbound Training Company
- Gian Panetta, MassMutual
- Jeff Stark, LPL Financial
- Ali Stoddard, Green Alley
- Kyle Sumner, Hero Holds
- Dr. Jeremy Steel, Steel Chiropractic
Committees
To accomplish its many activities the Chamber has the following committees:
Ambassadors Committee
The Ambassadors are the face of the chamber. They are the goodwill arm of the Lafayette Chamber. Ambassadors have an opportunity to grow their business by participating in Chamber activities while making new contacts and friends. This is a win-win!
Ambassadors roles include:
-
- Reach out to welcome new members via email or phone call.
- Provide friendly assistance to new members to help them better understand and utilize their chamber membership.
- Volunteering at Chamber Hosted events.
Art & Wine Committee
- Meets year round to help staff and produce this annual event
- Coordinates community volunteers for event
Budget & Finance Committee
- Consists of the incoming President, Treasurer and the Executive Director
- Prepares the annual budget for the board’s approval
Business Issues/Governmental Affairs Committee
- Meets the fourth Friday of each month
- Identifies issues that the Chamber will explore and consider making recommendations to the board for action
- Facilitates communications between the Chamber and governmental representatives/agencies
- Provides representation at City Council and commission meetings
- Develops pro-active, timely position statements on relevant issues on behalf of the Chamber
- Implements community forums to promote dialogue on city issues impacting the business community
- Works on behalf of membership to encourage a positive, pro-business environment
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness Committee
- Meets regularly to encourage the Chamber and its members to embrace DEI principles.
- Encourages business owners of underrepresented communities to apply to be Chamber members
- Seeks diversified set of candidates for Chamber Board and other leadership positions
- Educates Chamber members about the responsibilities and benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in their businesses
Election Committee
- Consists of up to five members, including at least one member of the Executive Committee shall be appointed by the President
- The Executive Director will serve as secretary with no voting privileges
- Meetings start in June of each year
- Charged with identifying members to serve as board members. Deliver a slate of candidates to the board
- Recommend for approval of the board a slate of officers to serve as the Executive Committee
Executive Committee
- Officers of the Chamber Board
- Meets on the first Tuesday of each month
- Nominated by the in-coming President and the Elections Committee
- Made up of the President, Past President, Vice Presidents, Treasurer & Executive Director
- Makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
- Direction level of the organization
Green Committee
- Meets as needed
- Partners with the City of Lafayette (Environmental Task Force) and Sustainable Lafayette
- Develops new programs to assist local businesses in being more environmentally friendly
- Aligns with the recommendations made by the city’s Environmental Task Force
- Works with Sustainable Lafayette
Membership Committee
- Committee co-chaired by the Membership Director
- Directs recruitment and retention of Chamber members
- Develops and monitors member services and benefits
Reservoir Run Committee
- Meets year round to work with staff in planning & producing annual Reservoir Run
- Coordinates community volunteers for event
Helping Lafayette Businesses Committee
- Meets regularly to develop & implement programs to promote the local economy
- Works with local newspapers to offer advertising discounts to Chamber members
- Promotes the “Welcome Back Lafayette” program
Taste of Lafayette Committee
- Meets as needed to help staff produce annual event
- Coordinates with the Lafayette Community Foundation
Technology Committee
- Meet as needed to develop and implement best practices for moving the organization forward