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COMMODORES CLUB OF THE NEWPORT BEACH CHAMBER

MARKS 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Sixty years ago, on March 20, 1960, a group of businessmen who were members of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce established the Commodores Club to provide leadership for special events to benefit the Chamber membership and the community.  In 1960 Newport Beach was a sleepy little beach town with a population of 25,000 year-round residents and the newly active Commodores Club came up with the idea of promoting the best aspects of the City and its harbor.   

 

In the early days, the membership was comprised of CEOs of large and small businesses, Sales people, Hotel General Managers, Chiefs of Police and Fire Departments. The membership was all male until 2007 when Linda Beimfohr was elected the first female member. The Commodores have 35 active members, four of whom are women plus three of the originally elected women have gone to ‘staff’ or inactive. This year, the 61st Skipper (the Chair) of the Commodores Club is Marie Case, the first woman to occupy this position.  

 

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the 61st Skipper of the Commodores Club and to be the first woman Skipper during this Anniversary year. We are a close-knit group, bonded by working together on event committees and, of course, we have lots of fun together, too,” said Marie Case.   

The Commodores Club continues to live up to its mission providing leadership for the City’s signature events:   Christmas Boat Parade, Boat Parade Awards Dinner and Auction, Mayor’s Reception, Flight of Newport, Police Appreciation, Fire and Lifeguard Appreciation, Sandcastle Contest, Scholarship Awards and Athletic Awards for the local high schools. 

Immediate past Skipper Tim Shields shared, “the positive impact of the Commodores in Newport Beach over the past 60 years is matchless. There is no aspect of the business, social, civic or charitable fabric in Newport Beach the Commodores have not improved. They remain a vital leadership asset in our community.”

A celebration to commemorate the Commodores Club Anniversary was planned for this year on the day of the Club’s inception, March 20, 2020. However, due to the Covid pandemic and the shelter-in-place request at that time, the Celebration, which was to be held at the Pacific Club, shifted to a Commemoration that will continue through the year.  Commodore Dave Girling and his committee planned the Anniversary celebration complete with memorabilia from the past 60 years, members from the early days to speak about their experiences and announcements to promote this year of charitable giving.  

As part of this commemorative year, the Commodores Club is encouraging its members to give to two designated charities - Working Wardrobes and Illuminations Foundation. 

For more information about the Commodores Club and their 2020 designated charities visit https://www.newportbeach.com/commodores/

Working Wardrobes: https://workingwardrobes.org/donate-clothing/

Illumination Foundation:  https://www.ifhomeless.org/covid19/

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About the Commodores Club

The Mission of the Commodores Club is to encourage business investment and involvement in the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and provide leadership and support for special events that benefit the Chamber membership and the community.

Editors’ Contact:

Marie Case

marie@case-comm.com
949.721.8422

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