Willow Glen Resident

News

Baron helps youth, businesses to make communities successful

By Lisa Neves Woldt

Bill Baron, the 2005 San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce chairman, knows business. In July he was honored with the 2006 Small Business Advocate Award from the statewide Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento. He was one of seven individuals recognized for effective leadership and support in their business communities.

"It was quite an honor," Baron says, noting it was unexpected.

"Chambers of Commerce have a positive connotation across this country. It's a brand name people can trust," he says.

He describes them as umbrella organizations operating as a bridge between small business and city policies. He says small businesses make up about 85 percent of San Jose's Chamber membership and create a significant ripple effect.

Baron, a partner in the Willow Glen-based Brandenburg Properties for 23 years, also volunteers his time with numerous nonprofit agencies, including Rotary Club of San Jose, San Jose Sports Authority Facility Task Force and Stroke Awareness Foundation.

As the 2005 chairman, he continued the Chamber's work in helping streamline the permit process for small businesses. Ideally, he'd like Chambers to be recognized as one-stop shops.

"From a sound economy, all else flows," he says, describing how a strong economic foundation can benefit communities.

Baron lives in Willow Glen with his wife, Linda, and children Caroline and Pierce. A fourth-generation San Josean, he has a vested interest in Willow Glen and the surrounding San Jose communities. He and his older brother Brad have continued the family's long tradition of service to the community.

Baron's father, Robert L. Baron, was a well-known business and community leader. Baron says his parents' involvement in many worthy causes was just a fact of life.

"My dad led by example," he says. "At the end of the day, it was all about me and my brother."

To that end, the family has set up two funds in memory of their father. The Baron Student Leadership Award was established at San José State University for students in any discipline who demonstrate outstanding leadership. The other, the Robert L. Baron Endowment Fund, was created for the Planetree Health Resource Center, a health and medical library based in Los Gatos. The library, which is free to the public, continues to add to its collection with help from endowment funding.

Prior to the Chamber award, Baron was inducted into Junior Achievement's Business Hall of Fame in 2005 for his continuing efforts to improve the community. The organization recognizes successful business individuals as role models for young people.

Baron is still surprised by the accolades.

"You don't do this stuff to be recognized," he says. "You do it because you like to and are hopefully helping other people in the process."