Aileen Sison was revealed as the White Center Chamber of Commerce's new president at their luncheon on March 12, replacing Mark Ufkes after three years at the helm.

Sison is also a real estate agent and King County District 8 Civil Rights Commissioner.

Sison "is a great community leader who is involved in the business community ... and also lives here," Ufkes said. "She is a natural for taking the leadership role."

Ufkes also named Mac McElroy, owner of Mac's Triangle Pub, as vice president for a third term, Dr. Chris Hill as secretary, Ray Zombro as treasurer (a position he held for 10 years in the past), and introduced two new board members: Eduardo Brambila, owner of Mago Signs, and Chris Cody, owner of Herban Legends, a medical cannabis dispensary.

"He has been a positive force in White Center for two years now ...," Ufkes said of Cody. "The stereotypes associated with his business are generally unfair, and if people came and talked to him they’d realize that.”

The March luncheon also brought in two high-profile guests: King County Councilmember Joe McDermott and Highline Schools Superintendent Susan Enfield.

Enfield updated the chamber on Highline’s strategic planning process in the works to evaluate existing policies and set goals for the district's future.

McDermott came to talk about a number of issues facing North Highline and White Center, including public intoxication and public alcohol and marijuana use, supporting the homeless population, public safety, graffiti and business district planning. In part, the talk was a way for McDermott to illustrate his continued involvement in advocating for White Center and North Highline, who's residents declined Burien's annexation bid last year in favor of remaining an unincorporated area of King County.

**We'll have additional details on McDermott and Enfield's discussions in a future story.**

McDermott also took a moment to thank Ufkes for his tenure as chamber president:

“Thank you for the passion and leadership you have brought to the White Center Chamber of Commerce," he said. "I know how much this has been a passion of yours and how long you have been investing in it.”

Ufkes said he will remain on the chamber board but plans to spend more time on personal investments and projects, including a more focused look at ways to help the homeless population of North Highline.