Chamber director was a friend

I am still shocked and saddened by the death of Pat Soteras. Many- if not all-of us in the Chamber lost a true friend.

It is true that Pat took over the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce office seven years ago when it had nothing in the bank, 150 members, and the only people who attended Chamber events were board members.

The Chamber now has over 1,500 members and many, many attendees at its events. It also is true that Pat donated all her time to us. Pat was it.

However, it was Pat's warmth that I think most Chamber members will remember. She gave each member her personal attention and was dedicated to promoting their business.

Pat was dedicated even to members who pay only $1 per year to join the Chamber, the nonprofit organizations, in the hope of getting funding for the non-profits from for-profit members.

It is hard to imagine Chamber events where the first person we see sitting behind the table by the door no longer will be Pat Soteras. That is going to be a hard chair to fill. Ken Kossoff Oak Park