Leron Gubler

Optimist

For 26 years, Leron Gubler was the President/CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and administered the world-famous Walk of Fame.

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© Cayce Pollard. All rights reserved.

Profile

Leron Gubler served as the President and CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for more
than a quarter of a century.His tenure, which began in 1992, oversaw the great comeback story of Hollywood and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. At the time he arrived, the Chamber was struggling and near insolvency. Through his leadership, he was able to turn the Chamber around and restore its reputation as one of the leading chambers of commerce in Southern California.In 1992, the business community in Hollywood was also reeling, with dozens of companies moving out, and fighting a perception that Hollywood could not be saved. Gubler worked to change those perceptions and to bring businesses together to address the issues holding Hollywood back. Through his efforts, the Chamber led the way in creating business improvement assessment districts throughout Hollywood to address public safety and beautification concerns. He worked closely with developers to build community support for new investment in Hollywood. He also worked with public officials and civic leaders to address community issues. As a result, Hollywood has undergone an amazing renaissance, with billions of dollars of investment in new hotels, office buildings, residential projects, and retail.Gubler was the face of the world-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame from 2008 through 2018. Over his career, he participated in approximately 650 Walk of Fame ceremonies. When long-time Walk of Fame Chair Johnny Grant passed away in 2008, Gubler was designated the emcee and from that time forward, emceed about 300 ceremonies that occurred up until his retirement. During his tenure, the Walk of Fame was improved with new guidelines and a media partnership with Variety. In addition, he instituted live video-streaming of ceremonies so that the public could view new inductions as they happen. In addition, steps were taken to enhance security and to improve the experience of people attending the ceremonies. He also oversaw a year-long schedule of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous Walk.Gubler, with 26 years at the Chamber’s helm, was by far the longest-tenured President & CEO in the history of the Hollywood Chamber. At the time of his retirement, Gubler was recognized for his work in Hollywood:• In December 2018, Gubler was “immortalized” with the dedication of “Leron Gubler Square” at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Sycamore Street.
• Mayor Eric Garcetti presented him with the Key to the City, only the second such presentation by the Mayor (after sports broadcaster Vin Scully).
• Gubler was named a Life Member of the Western Association of Chamber Executives.
• In addition, Gubler was honored by many other organizations, including the Caucus for Producers, Writers, and Directors, LACER and by the L.A. Headquarters Association.Before coming to Hollywood, Gubler served as Executive Director of the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, and prior to that, he worked at the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. He holds a B.A. degree in Communications and a master’s degree in public administration from BYU. A central California native, he grew up in Porterville. He is also active in his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He currently resides in La Crescenta, Calif. with his wife Audrey and two children, Lauren and Seth.

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Expertise

CONSULTANTGubler has expertise in urban redevelopment and revitalization, nonprofit organization management, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign. He is available to consult on these or related topics.WALK OF FAME EXPERTGubler remains one of the most knowledgeable people on the history and operations of the world-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame. Through extensive research that he conducted over the course of his career, he has become one of the foremost authorities on how the Walk of Fame came to be, its history and its operations. His tenure at the Chamber approximates half of the history of the Walk of Fame.PUBLIC SPEAKINGGubler is available to speak on the history of the revitalization of Hollywood and on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.CURRENT ACTIVITIESGubler has completed a book, "The Walk of Dreams: Finding Fame in Hollywood or Wherever Life Leads," which is the first general interest book about the Walk of Fame. It is available on Amazon.com

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