Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
The Bishop Chamber of Commerce is a community-based, membership-driven, non-profit organization that works to sustain and improve the local economy. The chamber provides education, advocacy, networking, and referrals for its 300+ local member businesses. The visitor’s bureau division of the organization focuses on destination marketing and development.
The Chamber Board of Directors provides strategy, policy, and oversight for the organization’s small staff. “We are so fortunate to have this committed group of business leaders serving our community. They contribute a diverse array of perspectives, experiences, and talents to the organization,” states Chamber Executive Director Tawni Thomson.
The annual election was recently completed, and the Chamber is pleased to announce the following slate of leaders for 2024-2025.
PRESIDENT
Sunil Lad, Best Western Bishop Lodge & Comfort Inn
Sunil’s family operates Lad Hospitality Management, focusing on mid-tier franchise hotels. In Bishop, they run the Best Western Bishop Lodge and Comfort Inn. Sunil proudly represents his family’s second generation of hotel ownership in Bishop.
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert Sharp, Eastern Sierra Community Bank
Robert oversees operations for Eastern Sierra Community Bank in Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and Bridgeport. Robert is a native son of the Eastern Sierra, is a graduate of Brigham Young University and studied abroad before returning to our region. Community service is very important to Robert – he enjoys working with many local civic organizations.
TREASURER
Sarah Freundt, Grocery Outlet
Sarah is co-owner, with husband Dennis, of Bishop’s local Grocery Outlet Bargain Market. She believes in success through service to the community and is an active community volunteer and supporter of local non-profit organizations. A native of California’s Wine Country, she has a unique understanding of the business of tourism and the importance of balancing the wants of our visitors with the business needs of our local community. Sarah believes a strong, active chamber of commerce is vital to community success and is honored to serve on the Bishop Chamber Board.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Cheryl Underhill, Northern Inyo Hospital, VFW, Elks, Lions, ESCA & Altrusa
Cheryl serves on the Board of Eastern Sierra Cancer Alliance, NIHD Foundation and City of Bishop Parks & Recreation Commission. She is an active member of NIH Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary Post 8988, American Legion Auxiliary, Altrusa International, Bishop Lions Club, United We Ride, Moms Club, American Red Cross (Disaster Action Team), and Salvation Army Shelter team. She participates in many other community activities, events and fundraisers. Married to John for 32 Years, Cheryl has ten grandkids and six great grand children. Cheryl says “It’s my honor and privilege to serve on the Chamber Board and I look forward to another successful year.”
BOARD MEMBERS
Manny Astorga, Astorga’s Mexican Restaurant
Manny has been a small business owner for over 17 years. He has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. He owns and helps run the family business, Astorga’s Mexican Restaurant. In his spare time, Manny enjoys spending time with family, playing sports, and exercising. He has been involved with numerous community activities, fundraisers, and various local clubs. Manny says “I always try my absolute best to give back to my community as much as they have given to us.”
Tara Frank, Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center
Tara has been the Director for the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center since 2014. She continues to inspire others and bring focus to the cultural heritage and local traditions. Tara has seen our community grow and believes we have potential and opportunities to expand, educate, and showcase all that our town has to offer, while preserving and honoring the legacy and heritage of the past.
Gary Gunsolley, Fly Fishing Guide
Gary has decades of experience as a business owner and expert Fly Fishing guide in the Eastern Sierra. He was the owner of Brock’s Flyfishing Specialists from 1989 to 2013, when he decided to sell the retail business and focus wholeheartedly on teaching and guiding. Gary and his wife Pat have been dedicated volunteers for the Bishop Chamber for many years; they transport, set-up and staff the booths at the annual Fred Hall Fishing Shows in Long Beach and Del Mar.
Lynn Hawks, Hawks Landing Gourmet Confections
Since 1983 Lynn and her family have owned a retail chocolate boutique, a wholesale business, created a “Candy Making at Home” online candy course and produced hundreds of unique corporate gifts for businesses throughout the country. In 2022, Lynn and her husband moved to Bishop where they continue the craft of specialty, gourmet candy making. The confections are available seasonally at Manor Market, local vendor events and always by special order. Lynn brings years of entrepreneurial expertise and loads of fresh ideas to our community.
John Marko, Wayfinder Bishop
John is the General Manager at Wayfinder Bishop (Formally Creekside Inn). He previously worked with Independent Hotel in Los Angeles for 25 years. He served on the Executive Committee of Hotel Association of Los Angeles for 20 years; 2 years as President and 15 years as Treasurer. He was a Board Member of the Los Angeles Convention Bureau, 1998 – 2023. John has visited the Eastern Sierra for over 30 years, enjoying all outdoor activities from Lone Pine to Bridgeport. He built a home here and moved to Bishop full time in October 2023. John is a member of Local VFW Post #8988 and is looking forward to becoming more involved in local events and activities.
Jen McGuire, Tri-County Fairgrounds and Event Center CEO
Jen is the CEO of the Tri-County Fairgrounds. She has an extensive background in marketing and event management and has managed major events throughout California and many states. She was also an account manager for a National Marketing Company before going back into the Fair Industry. Jen has a passion for the fair industry for many reasons. Fairgrounds are often called the heartbeats of our communities, acting as a gathering place in good times and in times of crisis, and generating billions in economic impact. Fairgrounds are open to all members of their communities throughout the year, often serving as a community hub. Fairgrounds are here to give and to serve. Jen is excited to collaborate and be an integral part of the Bishop Chamber of Commerce.
Niral Munshaw, Vagabond Inn, Motel 6 & Travelodge
Niral began working in the lodging industry while still a student at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, CA. He studied hotel and restaurant management at Cal Poly Pomona. Niral has worked for Tarsadia Hotels, DKN Hotels, Holiday Inn and now Attune Hospitality which operates the Vagabond Inn here in Bishop.
Jason Brown, Laughing Parrot Productions
Jason owns The Jaspen Corporation, a local IT company that provides computer- related services throughout the Owens Valley. He has been the CIO of two financial firms and worked remotely for many years for surgical centers in the Los Angeles area. Jason has been actively involved in the community by donating time and webhosting to various non-profits for the past 20 years. He formed a dba, Laughing Parrot Productions in 2018 to bring cinema quality services to the valley. He has recently been named General Manager of Sierra Wave Media, a great way to merge love of film and passion for our
community.
Gayla Wolf, Honeybee Photography
Gayla has devoted herself to community service through her camer4a lens. She attends almost all community events, capturing the people that make our community so special. She is vibrant and great at outdoor family portraits, and she has a well-appointed indoor studio. Gayla is passionate about helping our community thrive and is always eager to lend a hand through her role with the Bishop Chamber of Commerce.
Debi Yerkes, Alex Printing
Debi and husband Alex Yerkes have owned and operated Alex Printing for 44 years and enjoy serving Inyo, Mono, Alpine and Kern Counties. She has enjoyed being a member of the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce since 2007, serving as President in 2011-12 and 2021-22. She believes it is important to promote and protect the Eastern Sierra. Debi spends her free time hiking in the Eastern Sierra with her dogs, catching Dave Matthews Band concerts, traveling and spending time with her family.
The Bishop Chamber is always grateful for the support of its 300+ members, numerous community volunteers and co-sponsors. To learn more about the organization, visit www.bishopchamberofcommerce.com or stop by their office next to the City Park at 690 N. Main Street.
The Bishop Chamber of Commerce is a community-based, non-profit organization that works to sustain and improve the local economy. The chamber provides education, advocacy, networking and referrals for its three hundred local member businesses. The visitor’s bureau division of the organization focuses on destination management and marketing. The Chamber Board of Directors provides strategy, policy and oversight for the organization’s small staff. “We are so fortunate to have this committed group of business leaders serving our community. They bring a diverse array of perspectives, experiences and talents to the organization,” states chamber executive director Tawni Thomson.