RED CROSS SELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN.

Byline: Angela Randazzo Daily News Staff Writer

Moorpark resident Greg Chambers has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the Ventura County Chapter, American Red Cross.

Chambers, the manager of emergency preparedness for Amgen Inc., was elected at the chapter's annual meeting held at the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club. He was also named Fundraiser of the Year.

A retired battalion commander from the Orange County Fire Department, Chambers has been a Red Cross volunteer for five years.

``During the 20 years I worked with the Fire Department, I saw firsthand how effective the Red Cross is during times of disaster,'' Chambers said.

As chairman of the board, one of his goals is to make sure the Ventura County Red Cross is able to provide a continued high level of service.

``Each year is financially challenging,'' Chambers said. ``The Red Cross is not funded by the government. We rely on private and corporate donations.''

His wife, Paula, is manager of clinical data at Amgen and also has been a Red Cross volunteer. They have two sons, Scott, 24, a Camarillo resident, and Darren, 17, a junior at Moorpark High School.

``Now that my husband is more involved with the Red Cross, I hope to be more involved,'' Paula Chambers said. ``It's a wonderful way to serve the community.''

Chambers' current position and years with the Fire Department give him an expertise that he will use in his new role as chairman.

``I'm doing with the Red Cross what I've done my whole life, organizing and directing people and resources,'' Chambers said.

Other officers elected to the board include Mary Martha Stewart of Camarillo, named first vice president; and Ventura residents Jeff Grothe, who was selected treasurer, and Pamela Holcomb, owner of Roto Rooter of Ventura, who was named secretary.

Red Cross chairs named at the meeting were Ventura residents George Mathews, chosen as board development chair, and Ruth Ann Tanner, selected chairman of volunteers. Albert Chan of Thousand Oaks was named disaster services chair and Newbury Park resident Steve Caplan was named health and safety services chair.

New members elected to serve on the board were: Scott Deardorff, Jack Futoran, Cameron Gray, Diana Hoffman, Bob Roper and Ruth Ann Tanner.

Further information about Red Cross services and volunteer opportunities can be obtained by calling the Ventura County Chapter at [phone] in Ventura or [phone] in Simi Valley.