Message from the President

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Daniel Decker and alongside my wife Kelly, own Brusters Real Ice Cream in Rancho Cucamonga. Our adventure started when I decided to retire from my job of 22 years during Covid. I have always loved the idea of an old school ice cream parlor and the image of a couple drinking a milkshake together has always brought a smile to my face. I love community and started looking for a business that would allow me to meet new people, create a place for my friends, family and neighbors to hang out and a place where I could work with our youth to develop the skills necessary to thrive. An Ice Cream shop was the best fit!

Fast forward a few years and we are now about to celebrate our 4th anniversary at Brusters! When I look back over the past 4 years with the Chamber, I am in awe at how blessed we have been by this group of businesses, manufactures and non-profits. I joined the chamber because we were opening a new ice cream shop and I honestly didn’t know what I was doing! Sure, I love eating Ice Cream but how do I place and order and why does every agency in the state keep asking for money? I knew this would be an opportunity to give back to our young people and the community we called home but running a restaurant? That was a whole new adventure.

As many of you know (probably all of you! ), when you are opening a business, things seems to surprise you regardless of how well you plan. Our story was very much the same. Hoping to open in September of 2021, we excitedly waited for our final health inspection but that excitement became stress when we were told we needed to put in a line and new water heater. We hadn’t run a gas line since we were going all electric and using a tankless water heater. We were shocked when we found out that this would delay us by about 3 months. I didn’t know what to do, but as a last option, I reached out to the Chamber. I witnessed a group of people who were all dedicated to the success of our small local business activate. Within a few hours, I received a call from a member of the City Council, and she assured me the city was there to support us and would see what they could do. Within a day, I was on the phone with another chamber member at the So Cal Gas, and within a week, we had a gas line and meter. I tell you this story because this is what being part of the best chamber in CA is all about. Supporting each other, using our skills and connections to better each other and collaborate.

I owe so much of our success to the connections and support I have personally received from the Chamber so when I was asked to step into the role of President, I had to prayerfully consider it. I saw that I had the opportunity to help foster collaboration and encourage a business environment where we first look to each other for support.

The theme that I have selected for the year is “Collaboration is Sweet”. While the chamber does many things, connection is a vital piece of who we are. Networking and supporting each other is what sets us apart. I am looking forward to a year of collaboration and connection between all of our businesses in the Chamber. As we go about our daily obligations, both personal and professional, how can we take advantage of what shopping local and supporting each other will bring.

Do you have a story of collaborating with or supporting another Chamber member, if so, we would love to hear it! Every one of us is lucky to do business in a city that has a City Council that supports us and shows up, and Representatives from our State Assembly, Senate and Supervisors that are there to take our calls. How can the Chamber help you? How can we help each other? How do we ensure that Rancho Cucamonga is the best place in the region to do business? I can’t wait to explore these questions together!

I would be remiss to not take a second to give a huge shout out to my partner and better half, Kelly. It's been an amazing ride, and as we celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this month, I can’t wait to see what comes next as we grow old together!

President, Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce 2025-26