Board & Staff
Professionally Jake works as a Property Manager for Merlone Geier Partners in the retail/shopping center, real estate sector. He manages a portfolio of 6 retail shop-ping centers and 1 regional center mall which equates to approximately 1.2 million square feet of retail property throughout Southern California. Jake’s professional background includes over 15 years of property, facilities, and operations manage-ment as well as security/law enforcement and executive protection. Jake specializes in the management and oversight of redevelopment properties and tenant related construction projects. Jake served the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce as the Vice President for the 2021 year. Jake has served as the Committee Chair for the Chamber’s Government Affairs division for the past 3 years and has served on the Laguna Hills Chamber Board of Directors for almost 5 years. Jake also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the South Orange County Economic Coalition. Jake also just celebrated 16 years of marriage to his beautiful wife Genevieve, and together they have 3 children, Trinity (16), Kiera (13) and Brandon (9).
A trusted real estate expert and Laguna Hills specialist serving Orange County Communities, Martha Haecherl is committed to providing best-in-class custom-er service and outstanding performance to each and every one of her clients. Martha joined the Board of Directors in 2021 and per primary focus as Secretary is recording the Board of Directors’ meeting minutes and updates to Policy and Procedure.
Sheri is one of the original founding board members. Sheri holds a B.A.
in Sociology from UCLA and previously served as the Events Director,
Vice-President and External Affairs Committee Chair. She has been involved in just about every other aspect of helping to build the Chamber into what it is today. Sheri offers printing services and products at Printex Printing and Graphics Inc. There is no print job too big or small for her. Sheri's business is in Laguna Hills and has been offering a wide variety of offset and digital printing services and products for over 38 years. Can’t forget to mention that Oliver has been faithfully serving as Head of Security for the past 6 years!
Shauna joined the Laguna Hills Chamber Staff in November 2022. Shauna is a lifelong Southern Orange County resident and comes with previous experience in the Chamber world. From 2018-2019, Shauna worked at the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce. Before starting work at the Chamber, she received the 2018 Ambassador of the Year award, spending the two years prior as an Ambassador to the Chamber, as well as part of the Legislative Committee. Shauna's background and experience in the Chamber world allows her to play a pivotal roll in supporting members, strengthening the Chamber foundation, and growing in-house functionality. Shauna currently lives with her husband, one of the owners of local family-business Rod's Tree Service, two year old daughter and newborn son in San Clemente.
As a lifetime resident of Laguna Hills, Patricia has been involved in many organi-zations. She is a member of the management team at Pumpkin City, which has been in Laguna Hills for forty-three years. Patricia helped create the annual October fundraising program which contributes thousands of dollars to many of our local elementary schools. Pumpkin City's Pumpkin Farm, Christmas Trees, and Strawberries has been an integral part of South Orange County for decades, providing family fun entertainment and memories one season at a time, as well as seasonal jobs for many. Patricia has been on several boards, including National Charity League, LHHS Alumni Association, as well as a current Parks and Recre-ation Commissioner in the City of Laguna Hills. She has been the Events Director for the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce for three years and looks forward to wearing another hat next year as Vice President. Patricia is very proud to be a resident of Laguna Hills and appreciates our city and our community. And as always, Go Hawks!
Jeff comes from four generations of bankers and passes that knowledge onto his clients. As a FINRA registered principal, Jeff helps individuals plan and implement comprehensive financial strategies and helps businesses implement compliant deferred compensation plans such as 401k plans. Jeff's primary focus as Membership Director is in expanding value to our members through their chamber membership.
Clement Pepe
Patrice was one of the founding members of the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce. She has served as the treasurer of the chamber for several terms. In 2022, Patrice took a break but now is back serving as our treasurer once again. Patrice Mills CPA P.C. is owned by Patrice and has been located in Laguna Hills for the past 16 years. Prior to starting her own firm, 23 years ago, Patrice worked for Arthur Andersen LLP in the high net worth and estate planning department. Today she still has serves most of her original Arthur Andersen clients and also helps many small businesses and high net worth families with tax preparation and consulting, along with estate and succession planning. Patrice has also been a resident of Laguna Hills for the past 16 years. She resides with the last two of her six children and her knight in shining armor, Martin.
Carl joined the Chamber of Commerce in 2015, shortly after it had been reestab-lished in Laguna Hills. He was first elected to the Board in 2016 as a Director, and then as Secretary in 2017. In 2018, he was elected as the Chamber’s President and CEO. He has also served the Chamber in various other capacities, including chairing its Nominations Committee, as well as the Host Committee for various events, including several past State of the City Luncheons and this year’s Awards and Installations Gala. Carl and his wife Janine are the owners of Personalized Mortgage Express (PME), a full service commercial and residential mortgage company, which they founded in 2004. They live in Laguna Hills with their two children, Christian (16), and Sophia (10).