The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce elected Tom Lebens as chair of the Board of Directors for 2009. Lebens is a partner at Sinsheimer, Juhnke, Lebens & McIvor LLP, where he practices intellectual property law.

He's been a member of the Chamber board since 2007 and has served as board counsel and chair of the Technology Advisory Committee, where he spearheaded a project to gather information about technology companies in San Luis Obispo and produce a forecast with recommendations for nurturing the industry.

He served an earlier term on the Chamber board when he was student body president of Cal Poly, where he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.

His affiliation with Cal Poly -- where he's a member of the Alumni Association -- will be valuable as cultivating a closer relationship with the university and expanding its economic development opportunities are primary Chamber goals for 2009, said Chamber President & CEO Dave Garth. His understanding of tech issues as they relate to economic development is another strength.

"We consistently get the right leaders for the right time," Garth said.

Lebens sees his primary goal as working with Chamber members, the city and other groups to create an environment where people want to live and work, which will help business prosper.

"We need to position ourselves to compete in a global economy, with the ability to attract and retain quality employees, provide top-notch healthcare and foster sustainability," he said. "Together, we can accomplish a lot more than we can as individuals."

Lebens' community involvement goes beyond the Chamber and Cal Poly. He serves on the boards of Softec (the Central Coast Software and Technology Association), Friends of the Prado Day Center, the San Luis Obispo Literacy Council and First Bank of San Luis Obispo, among others, and in 2006 received the "Top 20 under 40" award presented by the Economic Vitality Corp. and The Tribune for his professional excellence and commitment to the community.

He is also deeply involved in youth soccer locally, as a coach and area director for the American Youth Soccer Association. He is married and has two children.

Lebens was installed as chair of the Chamber at its 104th Annual Dinner Sat., Jan. 24, at the Madonna Inn Expo Center.