Making a Difference in Poway Mike Leland Heads the Poway Chamber of Commerce

By Vince Meehan

Mike Leland is the President of the Poway Chamber of Commerce and manages the staff and the operations of the office, with the mission of providing the most value possible to the Chamber members and the business community. Leland grew up in Palo Alto, CA until he headed south to attend San Diego State University. After falling in love with San Diego and graduating SDSU, he decided to sink roots in San Diego and make it his home. Leland and his wife Lisa of over 29 years have been residents of Poway since March of 1997, and have two children, David who is 25 and Lauren who is 23. Leland also has two dogs, Maggie a 16year old 15-pound mutt, and his COVID rescue Buddy who is a three-year-old Australian Cattle/ German Shepherd mix.

How long have you been at the Poway Chamber of Commerce and what do you like most about it?

I started with the Poway Chamber of Commerce as a business member about 10 years ago. Since that time I went from new member to volunteering with the Ambassador Committee, to becoming Ambassador Committee Chair, to adding Board Member, and then Board Chair starting in July of 2020. I switched over from the Board to Staff in January 2021 when the Board of Directors installed me as President on a part-time, hourly basis so that we could continue to rebuild the financial security and future of the Chamber coming out of COVID. The part that I like the most is working with all of my amazing volunteers to make the Poway Chamber of Commerce and the Poway and surrounding community a better place to live, work, shop and play.

What ar e the hard skill sets that qualified you for this position?

I would say that my skills with interpersonal relationships and bringing people together, my passion for helping businesses succeed, and of course my long background in sales are probably some of the most important skill sets for this job. Chamber Executive is a challenging job, and I like challenges!

What do you find unique about Poway that sets it apart from the rest of San Diego County?

Poway is a tight-knit community with a lot of good-hearted and hard-working people. The “City in the Country” as the late, great Vern Marston came up with, is just that, we have a flourishing business communi - ty, with small town values and people that want to help their neighbors. Poway is a special place, and so many of us realize that and are dedicated to doing our best to keep it special.

What ar e your favorite yearly events and what do you like about them?

We have several annual events including a charity golf classic, our big soiree which is the Business Star Awards, the mega event, which is the Poway Fall Festival Street Fair on the first Sunday of October, a Business Expo, and many other events that occur on a regular basis. Each event is an opportunity to help businesses and nonprofits, connect, and network with others in unique ways. If I had to pick 3 favorites I would say the Business Star Awards, the Fall Festival, and the Mickey Cafagna Golf Classic.

How imp ortant is social media in the operations of the Chamber?

These days, social media plays a huge role for any business or organization. It is our front line, the first form of quick communication to the masses.

We cover a lot across our social media channels, from upcoming events, to member news, information pertinent to businesses, Chamber updates and much more. It's also a great way to interact with the community and get feedback and comments that help us make the Chamber even better.

What so cial media platforms do you prefer and why?

We’re on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube! Across all these channels, we can cast the widest net. What’s important to us is to keep our members and community informed and educated.

What ar e the biggest challenges that Poway businesses are facing this year?

Some of our smaller businesses, especially those in the Hospitality fields, are still facing staffing challenges. Besides, that probably the macro environment of higher interest rates, inflation, and a slowing economy and economic uncertainty.

What was your b ackground before you were in the Chamber?

I have been working and in sales pretty much my whole life since I had 2 paper routes in the 7th grade. I have my business degree from San Diego State. Go Aztecs!

Hav e you ever been a business owner?

I had one short stint as a business owner, trying to duplicate a business that my Mom had, but I didn’t have the financial backing at the time to stick it out.

What ar e some fun and unique things to do in Poway for visitors?

All kinds of outdoor activities from enjoying Lake Poway and Old Poway Park, the Farmers Market every Saturday morning on Midland Road right by Old Poway Park, our unique Midland Railroad in Old Poway Park, Blue Sky Reserve, hiking to Potato Chip Rock, and hiking Iron Mountain to name several. The general public can stop by the Poway Chamber of Commerce office from 9 to Noon Monday through Friday to pick up brochures and trail maps and more. There is no shortage of places to see and things to do here in Poway.

At a Glance:

Mike Leland – President Poway Chamber of Commerce

Website: www.Poway.com

Phone: (858) 748-0016

Instagram: @powaychamber mike@poway.com chamber@poway.com

What is Proposition 19?

Inheriting Property

Proposition 19, or the Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act, is a Constitutional Amendment that imposes new limits on property tax benefits for inherited family property. Under Proposition 19, a child or children may keep the lower property tax base of the parent(s) ONLY if the property is the principal residence of the parent(s) & the child or children make it their principal residence within one year.

Transfer Of Property Tax Base

The other component of Proposition 19 allows homeowners who are over 55 years of age, disabled or victims of a wildfire or natural disaster to transfer their lower assessed property value of their primary home to a newly purchased or newly constructed replacement principal residence up to three times (or once per disaster). The tax base may be transferred to a property located anywhere in the state.

Proposition 19 changes 2 programs currently administered by county assessors:

 Parent-Child Transfers/Grandparent-Grandchild Transfers, effective February 16, 2021

 Senior Citizen and Disaster Relief Tax Base Transfers, effective April 1, 2021

Parent-Child Transfers & Grandparent-Grandchild Transfers Prop. 58 & Prop.193, allowed a parent(s), and in certain cases grandparent(s), to transfer their existing property assessments of a principal residence of any value without triggering a reassessment, which is generally required upon a change in ownership - even if the property is used as rental property by the child.

More information: https://assessor.lacounty.gov/homeowners/proposition-19