HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Selling the glitz and glamor of Hollywood is not something Leron Gubler dreamed about while growing up. But given the opportunity, he has flourished as president and chief executive officer of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Brother Gubler, an assistant to the high priests group leader in the Verdugo Hills Ward, La Crescenta California Stake, knew the Hollywood job was dubious when he took it. He set a goal of lasting two years in a job that had a very high rate of turnover in previous years.
That was in 1992, and now not only is he still in the post, he is also making a much broader impact in his chosen career. He was recently installed as chairman of the Western Association of Chamber Executives, an organization of more than 400 chambers of commerce in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Colorado.
Brother Gubler, 52, said in a Church News interview that getting elected was an excellent opportunity for him. It will enable him to give back to "the largest regional association in the country, and probably the most respected," in return for all the benefits he has taken advantage of in the 25 years he has worked at various California chambers of commerce.
"I grew up in the farming town of Porterville, Calif., and never imagined that someday I would end up in Hollywood running the chamber of commerce," he said. "It has been a great experience and blessing for me."
Raised in the Church among people who were good examples, Brother Gubler was ready when the time came to serve a mission and was called to Switzerland. He said his mission gave him valuable experience for his future career.
"You have to be a diplomat when you're a missionary," he said. "You have to interact with the public a lot. Some people are friendly and some people are not friendly. It's the same as with the chamber."
He returned from his mission and earned a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in public administration at BYU.
He said he wanted a career in the public sector because he felt like that would be the best place to make a contribution to society. He started with an internship with the Utah Valley Industrial Development Association in Utah County. His sights were set on a job in California, but because of a tax freeze there was no hiring in the public sector.
A connection between the supervisor of his internship and the Santa Monica, Calif., Chamber of Commerce gave him the break he needed. With his supervisor's endorsement, he landed an administrative assistant job there in 1978. It was not exactly work in the public sector, but was very close to it. Two years later, he was named executive director of the San Pedro Peninsula Chamber where, over a period of 12 years, he nearly doubled the group's membership and tripled the chamber's budget.
That led him to Hollywood where the chamber of commerce was struggling in a community suffering negative publicity over failed revitalization efforts and the flight of business.
Brother Gubler noted that "Hollywood the entertainment business" and "Hollywood the community" are two different things that are sometimes confused. He set out to create the perceived glitz and glamor associated with the community as a reflection of the business. Sometimes, he said, as is typical of most large communities, there are elements of Hollywood that don't match his standards as a Church member and he has disconnected himself from them.
He said, "When we were kids, my mother used to always tell us when we went out to 'remember who you are and what you represent.' I always thought that was great advice and have tried to follow it.
"Civic leaders are aware that I am a Mormon and I have always tried to be a good representative for the Church and the Lord."
He has been able to help build a positive image in the area which sees about 10 million tourists a year. He said the chamber of commerce has facilitated the placing of historical and cultural markers, and has developed interesting, family-friendly walking tours. It has also focused attention on cleanliness and security, recognizing the importance of a vibrant city center. Brother Gubler acts as the administrator of the popular Hollywood Walk of Fame, a sidewalk where stars are placed in honor of celebrities. He is also the holder of the trademark to the famous "Hollywood" sign located in the hills above the community.
He has received several awards for his efforts, including the Third Century Award from the Hollywood Coordinating Council and the Hollywood Spirit Award from the Hollywood Arts Council.
After all these years, he said he is still happy with his job, and is content living in La Crescenta with his wife, Audrey. He feels like he has been successful in what he advises young people to do in searching for a career. "I tell them to try to find something you enjoy. You're going to have to be doing it for 40 or 50 years."
E-mail to: ghill@desnews.com