L.B. chamber chair steps down

Ian Danby, the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce chairman for the past four years, stepped down recently to devote more time to his marketing firm, but will remain with the chamber as treasurer.

He will be succeeded by James Lynch and Leah Rosensweig-Tozer, who will serve as co-chairs. Rosens-weig-Tozer will be the first woman in the role.

Danby, an eight-year chamber member, said he had decided to step down last August to focus on Cybernet LLC., his Long Beach website design and marketing company.

During his time as chairman, the chamber has “become much more relevant,” Danby noted, saying he has worked to rebuild its membership and improve its visibility and reputation.

Danby built the chamber’s website from scratch, rewrote what he called its “ancient” bylaws and mission statement, and worked to promote all businesses, not just retailers.

Danby said he also worked to improve the chamber’s relations with the City of Long Beach. “We have a relationship where we can listen to what each other says,” Danby said.

He became president, he said, to “bring the city to a better place.”

In October, Danby was the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce 2021 honoree from Long Beach for his participation in the local business community.

Lynch owns JM Lynch Construction, and Rosensweig-Tozer is a real estate agent. Both were vice-chairs before the change.

“The board is going to continue to be in a good place,” Danby said. “There isn’t going to be much change.”

Tozer said one of the board’s 2022 goals is to spread the word further that the chamber is there to represent businesses. The board, she said, “fights for every business, whether they are at home or storefront.”

“We’re going to push advocacy for every business in town,” Tozer said. “Their issues are our issues, and we want to be one, big collective block to promote all businesses.”

Three new members will join the board at the chamber’s Jan. 24 meeting at the Allegria Hotel.