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Roby named chairman of Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce
Succeeds April Mitchell, long-time County Fair marketing director who resigned

by Jeb Bing

Brock Roby of BKF Engineers will be installed Tuesday as the chairman of the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce for 2013 at a noon luncheon at the Marriott Pleasanton hotel.

Roby assumed the chairman's duties earlier following the resignation of April Mitchell, who had been chairwoman of the Chamber for most of 2012.

Mitchell, who was director of marketing and public relations for the Alameda County Fair, quit her job shortly after long-time Fair director Rick Pickering left to become executive director of Cal Expo, which hosts the California State Fair each summer. Mitchell gave birth to her third child just before last year's 100th year celebration of the County Fair here, and then returned in time to handle final marketing and public relations for the event.

It was reported that Mitchell left the Fair post in order to spend more time with her family, which has since moved into a new home in Brentwood.

Mayor Jerry Thorne will officiate at Tuesday's Chamber installation ceremonies, with Chamber President Scott Raty serving as the official luncheon host.

Besides Roby, Dave Stark, public affairs director for the Bay East Association of Realtors, will be installed as the organization's chairman-elect, which means he will move into the top post next January. Matt De Pretis of the accounting firm of Thompson & De Pretis will be installed as treasurer, again a position that will lead to heading the chamber in 2015.

Chosen as directors for the Pleasanton Chamber this year are Jody Amos, Amos Productions; Curt Anderson, Compass Product Design; Joe Barone, Barone's Restaurant; Jon Burchett, Hyatt House Pleasanton; Brian Gentry, Fremont Bank; and Scott Gergerson, ValleyCare Health System.

Also chosen as directors are Howard Goldstein, IntegenX; Pam Hardy, Ponderosa Homes; Janice Sangster-Phalen, Diablo Meridian Realty; James Paxson, Hacienda Owners Association; Heather Stanek, Pleasanton ClubSport; and Keith Turner of Safeway Inc. in Pleasanton.

Several awards will be given at the luncheon, including those honoring Carol Bush and Jenny Doehle.