La Verne: Remembering Past Chamber CEO Brian McNerney

Press release from the La Verne Chamber of Commerce:

November 30, 2020

Brian McNerney, past CEO of the La Verne Chamber of Commerce and the community’s unofficial Mr. La Verne, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thanksgiving morning. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol Ann; his daughter, Lee Ann Sheridan; son in law, Matthew Sheridan, and grandson/namesake, Brian Edward “Little B” Sheridan. There is no word yet as to funeral arrangements.

Brian was a strong proponent of the give-back philosophy, and his gregarious personality, willingness to jump in and help whenever necessary, positive attitude and high regard for others made him a highly effective Chamber executive director.

Born 76 years ago on Staten Island, New York and raised in Queens, Brian’s parents stressed service to humanity and building positive relationships as a way of life for young Brian and his sister, Maureen. After graduating from Archbishop Molloy High School and completing a bachelor’s degree at St. Francis University, he started his first career as a teacher. He taught at St. John’s Home for Boys in Rockaway Beach, New York from 1967 to 1969, leaving only because of financial necessity when the teachers union leader called the nation’s first teachers’ strike.

Engaged to Carol Ann and unable to be without income for months, he decided to leave education and enter the corporate sales market. A natural-born salesman, Brian enjoyed regional and national success, quickly rising inthe the ranks to become a vice president of sales and marketing. He stayed in sales for three decades, working on the East Coast and in California for various companies before shifting into the communications field as a Tidbits publications manager in the 1990s.

Brian discovered chamber of commerce work when Tidbits in Diamond Bar, Chino, Chino Hills, San Dimas and Glendora paid for him to represent the company in the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce. Throwing himself wholeheartedly into business development, he won the chamber’s ambassador of the month six consecutive times in 2006 and was then named Ambassador of the Year. He also volunteered for La Verne programs. In September 2006, he was named executive director of the then-troubled La Verne Chamber of Commerce.

Brian helped bring business, community, school and municipal leaders and volunteers together through projects he either initiated or the chamber partnered with others to stage, such as local teachers awards; expansion of A Taste of La Verne; the Wine Walk; participation in ULV student outreach and summer programs; support for La Verne Fire Department’s Spark of Love toy collection; Shop La Verne promotion campaign, and more.

Remembering Past Chamber CEO Brian Mc...

• Leah Skinner Executive Director
• November 30, 2020
• (909) 593-5265
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This press release was produced by the La Verne Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed are the author's own.