Here is what Andy Park, Board Chair of LA Chamber of Commerce, said in 2026 Inaugural Gala Feb 5th 2026.
Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for being here tonight.
George — thank you for that introduction, and for the honor of passing the gavel.
And don’t worry. . .I’ve been told this gavel comes with a long history, great responsibility — and absolutely no instruction manual.
Standing here tonight, I can’t help but think about how improbable this moment really is.
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1888 — before LA was the global city it is today.
For well over a century, this Chamber has helped shape our economy, our neighborhoods, and the very identity of Los Angeles. And tonight, I get to be a small part of that long, meaningful story
If you had told me years ago that I would one day stand here as Chairman of the Board, I would have laughed and said, “There is no way.” And yet — here we are.
I want to begin by acknowledging two very important people — Maria Salinas and George Pla. Maria and George, your leadership, your steadiness, your wisdom, and your deep love for this city set a standard that I hope to live up to.
Thank you for your friendship, your mentorship, and for trusting me with this gavel.
I also want to recognize the leaders who came before me — Gerry, Raul, Mark, AG, Janet and George. I have learned so much from watching each of you. And I will continue to lean on you, because I am humble enough to say tonight: I am still learning.
What I can promise you is this: I will bring my work ethic, my passion, and my deep love for Los Angeles to this role — every single day.
Many of you know me as a business leader. But tonight, I want to talk briefly about where I really come from.
My father immigrated to this country in the late 1970s with nothing.
No money. No connections. No friends. He didn’t speak the language. But what he did have was courage — and a belief that his children might have a better life if he was willing to sacrifice his own comfort.
He and my mother both worked so hard to give me an opportunity
They worked the jobs nobody wanted — just to put food on the table. They were discriminated against. They were looked down upon. And yet, they endured. They persevered. They carried the weight of uncertainty so my sister and I wouldn’t have to. And they instilled in my sister and me values that still guide me today: humility, resilience, gratitude, and an unrelenting work ethic.
Those values still drive me to this day
Mom. Dad. Thank you. To have you here tonight, witnessing this moment, means everything to me.
To my wife and my daughter — thank you for your love, your patience, and your belief in me. Everything I do is grounded in wanting to leave a better city — and a better future — for the next generation.
I also want to acknowledge my firm, EY.
EY has been incredibly supportive — not just of me personally, but of this community. They believe that business leadership doesn’t stop at the office door. They believe in service, in civic engagement, and in giving leaders the space to step up and give back. I’m deeply grateful to EY for supporting me in taking on this responsibility — and for the work they continue to do across Los Angeles.
I also want to say this plainly and proudly:
To stand here as a Korean American Chairman of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce means the world to me.
It speaks to how far our city has come — and how much more potential we still have when opportunity is truly open to everyone.
As Chair, my vision is simple:
I want to bring our businesses closer to each other and closer to Los Angeles
I want to engage our leaders who truly care about what is happening in our city — and help them lean in, not lean out.
I want to inspire the next generation of leaders to step forward, to engage with us, and to see civic leadership as something exciting, not intimidating.
I want to help simplify local politics so business leaders can understand what we’re up against — and how they can make a difference.
And most of all, I want this Chamber to continue being a place where collaboration wins, where diverse voices are valued, and where Los Angeles moves forward together.
As I look around this room full of talented friends I greatly admire, I know we’ll be successful together
This is an amazing city of builders, creators, entrepreneurs, and importantly, we love LA
So tonight, as I accept this gavel, I do so with humility, gratitude, and optimism.
I ask for your partnership. I ask for your guidance. And I ask for your belief — not just in me, but in what we can accomplish together.
This city gave my family a chance. This Chamber gave me an opportunity I never imagined. And I intend to honor both with everything I have.
Thank you. I am deeply honored — and I cannot wait to get to work.
