Pali Chamber President Talks BID, Events and Rick Caruso

Known for her tenacity in spearheading the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce's community expo as well as her work as president of Westside-based solar panel installer Suntricity, Joyce Brunelle takes over as chamber president for the first time under a new tenure structure.

The local business organization currently has around 400 members.

Brunelle's especially excited for upcoming events with the chamber and shared her thoughts on the proposed business improvement district and the potential of developer Rick Caruso purchasing 10 parcels in the village.

At a June 13 installation dinner at Riviera Country Club, Brunelle replaced Nicole Howard as chamber president after working her way up through the organization. She's lived in Pacific Palisades since 1998 and the Westside almost her entire life.

Her tenure coincides with a new structure at the chamber to replace the president every calendar year rather than fiscal year, so Brunelle's tenure will surpass the one-year mark for the first time of a Palisades Chamber of Commerce president.

"I love the way the chamber operates," she said. "You have a problem? You have people to share it with. If you have something to share with the community. You are at the forefront. There are people who really care about the community and have put themselves in that position."

Arnie Wishnick, executive director of the chamber, echoed his enthusiasm for Team Brunelle.

"Joyce Brunelle brings tremendous experience to her new job as President of the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce. She has run companies.  I've seen how well she works with people. She's enthusiastic.  The Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce look forward to working on Team Brunelle."

The Community Expo

The chamber of commerce has several committees with specific purposes within the community, such as one to spearhead the annual community expo event in the village -  a family event with merchant booths, live music and games.

Brunelle said when she took over that committee, she was able to bring in a close friend, the owner of Santa Monica Toyota, to sponsor it. Next, Palisades Pit Stop and Car Wash joined Brunelle's call to help lead the expo's sponsoring.

Local merchants and the proposed business improvement district

Brunelle credits Howard for addressing whether the chamber was doing enough for local merchants, as from 2011-2013 more businesses along portions of Swarthmore Avenue remain vacant. Brunelle said Howard was integral in bringing in the sidewalk sales and food truck events.

Brunelle said she's brainstorming more ideas as getting the local restaurants together for an event, or a tasting. She added the idea of incorporating Pacific Palisades' two art schools for an event, who have previously helped out at the expo.

As the ad hoc group of business owners in town move forward with preliminary plans to form a business improvement district, Brunelle said its important the chamber stay involved, especially since they have bank account where raised funds for the endeavor.

"Any position of the chamber is whatever will help business," she said. "I feel they are going in a positive direction."

Developer Rick Caruso's involvement to buy Palisades Village property

Brunelle said the chamber cannot yet take a position on the idea of developer Rick Caruso expressing interest to purchase 10 parcels in the village district.

"We want to see what he brings to the table before there are yaysayers and naysayers," she said. "We can't take a negative position because we feel it's an opportunity."

Without Caruso in the community picture, Brunelle said there are grave concerns about the viability of the village district's future, given the storefront vacancies.

"It's a very serious issue where everyone can come together and agree," she said. "We're concerned in the chamber, long before Rick Caruso, where it comes to the point we can lose some of our services."

Prior to founding Suntricity, Brunelle worked for a building development company that she started with her husband Michael, and built spec houses all over Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica and Brentwood. Brunelle was also a teacher for two years in the Los Angeles Unified School District and was also involved in local political fundraising.

Brunelle holds a bachelor's degree from Whittier College and a Master's degree in communications from the University of Southern California.

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