BIA OFFICIAL NAMED TO FILL TOP POSITION AT TRADE BOARD.

Byline: Daily News

LANCASTER - Gretchen Gutierrez, executive director of the Antelope Valley Chapter of the Building Industry Association for the last five years, has been picked to head the Antelope Valley Board of Trade.

Gutierrez's appointment takes effect Aug. 6. She will succeed Howard Brooks.

``We are delighted with Gretchen's experience and accomplishments and are looking forward to great things happening at the Board of Trade with her as executive director,'' said Joe Davies, chairman of the Board of Trade Executive Search Committee.

``I look forward to the opportunity of working with the Antelope Valley Board of Trade. I am sure that I can count on and will receive the support of the entire board of directors and membership, under the direction of President Gregg Anderson. Together we will achieve the goals and tasks of the AVBOT,'' said Gutierrez.

Brooks, who had been with the nonprofit organization for 12 years, accepted a position as the field deputy for Assemblyman Phil Wyman, R- Tehachapi.

``Filling the shoes of past Executive Director Brooks will be a large order, but I believe that I am up to the challenge,'' added Gutierrez.

Gutierrez has more than 14 years experience of administration and marketing in the building and real estate industry. For the past five years she directed the activities of the area builders' organization, serving as a liaison with the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster and the legislative branches of the local, state and federal governments.

Her duties included ongoing analysis of the area's real estate development, working closely with developers concerning growth and sales trends and managing site signage for active developers.

During her career she has served as the marketing director for Beazer Homes, Premier Homes, Ritter Ranch and Heller Financial. She chaired the '99 Elan Committee event, the annual real estate industry presentation of awards, and served on the Elan Committee Event for four years. She is a member of the Sales and Marketing Council of Greater Los Angeles and Ventura County, Palmdale and Lancaster Chambers of Commerce, Greater Antelope Valley Association of Realtors and Antelope Valley Board of Trade.

Gutierrez earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal law from California Lutheran University. She is married to Alex Gutierrez and the couple have a daughter, Andrea.

``Based on her accomplishments and background, Gretchen best fits the qualifications that the Board of Trade was seeking for our executive director position. We believe that with her talent and professional skills she will carry on in the tradition of the Board of Trade,'' said Roger Hemme, a member of the Board of Trade committee.