A.F. Gilmore’s Mark Panatier honored with ‘Trailblazer’ status
TRAILBLAZER LUNCHEON head table, counterclockwise from right: Wally Marks, Councilman David Ryu, Wendy Kramer, Steve Kramer, Mark Panatier, Gail Panatier, Ira Handelman, City Attorney Mike Feuer and Lyn MacEwen Cohen.
The Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce (GMMCC) honored Mark Panatier, vice president of marketing and development at the A.F. Gilmore Company, at its annual Trailblazer Luncheon at The Ebell of Los Angeles. on Jan. 31. A fixture in the community, “Panatier’s track record for success, strong work ethic and convivial demeanor earned him the Trailblazer moniker,” said Meg McComb, executive director of GMMCC.
STEVE KRAMER and Jane Gilman spoke highly of honoree Mark Panatier, right. The coonskin cap and Lyn MacEwen Cohen’s puppy toy rest on the lectern.
From the slew of speakers who shared anecdotes about working with Panatier, serving on community boards with him or just interacting with him socially, it was evident that the honoree is a hard person to “roast” (in the traditional sense of the word). Hank Hilty, president of A.F. Gilmore Company, owner of the Original Farmers Market, spoke of his and Panatier’s long partnership, describing Panatier as the measured pragmatist who worked hard to translate his (Hilty’s) aspirational projects into completed works. Other speakers at the Jan., 31 event, including Wally Marks (president of Walter N. Marks, Inc.), Leron Gubler (past President of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce), Jane Gilman (founder of the Larchmont Chronicle), and Steve Kramer (president of GMMCC) spoke about his kindness and professionalism in the work place. They noted that he “would take every opportunity to talk at length about his granddaughter.”
COONSKIN HAT was sported by Hank Hilty in his salute to Mark Panatier as a Trailblazer.
At one point, Lyn MacEwanCohen, founder of the First in Fire Foundation, presented Panatier with a stuffed dog, one of the many tributes bestowed that day, which he immediately made plans to re-gift to his granddaughter.
GAIL AND MARK Panatier.
Bearing gifts of the more official kind, surrogates from the offices of State Sen. Ben Allen, Assemblyman Richard Bloom, Congressman Ted Lieu, and County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl jointly presented Panatier with plaques (from each of their offices) recognizing his contributions to the community.
Councilmember David Ryu spoke to Panatier’s ability to push trickier projects to fruition through diplomatic approaches, while City Attorney Mike Feuer noted that he and the honoree were of similar pragmatist mindsets (and both have wives named Gail).
When Panatier finally rose to accept the “Trailblazer” honor, it became clear that his love for community and business is trumped only by his love for his family. The Panatier clan, including wife Gail and two daughters, Megan and Jenna, were in attendance beaming with pride.
Category: People