BEATING THE DRUMS FOR BUSINESS IN SANTA CLARITA VALLEY INCOMING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT PREDICTING UPBEAT FUTURE.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - For Douglas R. Sink, taking the reins of the Chamber of Commerce is a lot like running a business, as he has been helping to do at a percussion firm for more than a decade.

The incoming president has short and long-term goals for the organization - increasing membership and boosting programs - along with ongoing lobbying issues as it works to support business in the Santa Clarita Valley.

``It's like running any business,'' said Sink, 52, and chief financial officer of Remo Inc., the drum-making firm in the Valencia Commerce Center. ``It'll be a lot of fun to do.''

Sink will take over the 1,420-member chamber Friday, replacing Connie Worden-Roberts, who is stepping down after finishing her one year in the position.

``I think he'll do extremely well,'' said Worden-Roberts, saying that as a financial officer of a large company, Sink brings a different perspective to the chamber that is mainly made up of small businesses.

``He will bring a lot more financial viability and a different kind of ability to his job as president.''

While the economy elsewhere could be bracing for a cooling period, Sink offers a healthy prognosis for the local business climate he believes will continue to flourish.

``Our local economy still looks really strong,'' he said.

He points to the new rides at Six Flags California and the SBC Senior Classic Golf tournament as attractions that showcase an economy in good health.

``I think there are a lot of things coming to this valley that are new and unusual,'' he said.

``I always look at this valley a little bit like Mulberry. It's not big-city Los Angeles, but we are a big city.''

Still, the Valencia resident sees challenges in the year ahead as the chamber seeks to meet goals set during a planning meeting late last year.

He hopes in the short term to boost membership among the 9,000 businesses in the city - and set the chamber on a course to double it in three years.

He wants to attract bigger businesses to the chamber, and establish better relations with other business organizations, such as the Valencia Industrial Association.

Plus the chamber plans to remain active on a number of local lobbying fronts - fighting the sand and gravel mine proposed by Transit Mixed Concrete, addressing the local sign ordinance and tackling issues in education, transportation and water.

``What we need from the chamber is a continued joint effort,'' said Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste.

``I think we're right on the edge of major opportunities,'' said Weste. ``The chamber puts out a really good appearance of our valley and they attempt to retain the quality.''

Weste said retaining the film industry, supporting tourism and continuing to bring companies with good jobs to Santa Clarita are among the challenges this year.

Plus, looming over the business environment is the state's power crisis, which has already cost some local businesses higher rates and lost production.

Weste said Sink is just the man for the job.

``He brings to the valley a real visionary spirit,'' she said. ``He's just . . . very upbeat, very positive thinking . . . I think that's the kind of thing in this century that's going to keep the community moving toward its goals.''

Sink, a certified public accountant, also is an elected member of the Remo board and serves on the board of directors of Valencia Bank & Trust.

He and his wife, Susan, have lived in Valencia for 15 years. He also is a board member of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Sink's tenure comes as the chamber is beginning its 75th year - 78th by some accounts - marking its place as one of the longest-running organizations in the city.

Worden-Roberts said during her term, the chamber was able to meet most of its goals - including supporting two new members to the City Council.

One goal not accomplished, she said, was to help the William S. Hart Union High School District pass a school construction bond - a measure that lost by 17 votes at the polls.

The group that started in the 1920s and went on to help form the area as a city hopes to maintain its presence and force in the city, officials said.

Along with installing Sink and other officers and directors, the chamber will be honoring Roberts and businesses at Friday's dinner at the Hyatt Valencia as it prepares for the new year.

``We came up with some great goals and objectives,'' said Executive Director Kim Kurowski. ``We're just pushing to help our local economy and our businesses.''

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(color) Doug Sink, chief financial officer of Remo Inc., a drum-making firm in the Valencia Commerce Center, will be taking over as the new president of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. ``Our local economy still looks really strong,'' he said.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News