Legends and Leaders—Almaden’s Jim Cunneen prepares for the party of the year
Event features Arnold Schwarzenegger

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Since accepting the position of president and CEO of the San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2001, Almaden’s Jim Cunneen has been instrumental in taking the organization to an all-time high, despite economic challenges and declining membership. One of his most notable feats has him preparing for the chamber’s annual Legends and Leaders gala Friday night at the Fairmont Hotel. The sold-out $250 a plate event will include more than 1,100 of the who’s who in the Silicon Valley for what promises to be the networking event of the year.

The history of the Legends and Leaders dinner has largely coalesced around high-profile political figures such as Barbara Bush, Colin Powell, John Glenn and Margaret Thatcher, but has also seen others such as media great Walter Cronkite take the podium. With the realization that legends indeed arise from many categories, Cunneen decided to look outside the political arena this year in an effort to add more variety to the premier event, and set his sights on a celebrity in the sports and entertainment venues.

But when he locked in Hollywood heavyweight Arnold Schwarzenegger as the headliner last March, he certainly got more than he bargained for. Little did he know that six months later, he would be planning a completely different event, centered around a man about to embark upon a new career.

Cunneen admits that his jaw dropped the night Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy on the Jay Leno Show. “I thought my God, I’ve got a tiger by the tail,” he says. “But we knew there was never any doubt that he was going to fulfill his commitment to this event.”

As if scripted for a true Hollywood blockbuster, politics re-entered the scene in a cliffhanger that quickly turned the “Terminator” into the “Governator” after the landmark recall election of Gray Davis. A former state assemblyman, Cunneen can’t help but think that politics continues to haunt him—you might call it serendipity. “Suddenly the recall happened and the guy’s governor,” he says. “It’s obviously a very unique situation that nobody could have ever planned and an incredible opportunity. Now we have him making a major address to the Silicon Valley on the eve of his inauguration on Monday. It makes the evening all the more special.”

Although notables including Magic Johnson also graced his radar screen, Cunneen’s decision revolved around the man with a great immigrant story as well as a phenomenal American success story. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s rise to bodybuilding fame, coupled with a blockbuster movie career and his role as the driving force behind the statewide initiative to fund after-school programs made him the hands-on favorite. When he agreed to appear under the condition that the chamber donate his $50,000 speaker fee to the Santa Clara County After School All-stars Program, the decision became easy, creating a win-win situation for the community.

Cunneen admits dealing with the new Schwarzenegger team is like “sticking your head in a fire hydrant” as he puts the final touches on this once-in-a-lifetime event. “I have to keep reminding myself to look at the forest,” he says. “Arnold Schwarzenegger is giving the keynote address at our dinner. How the rest of this plays out will be tree by tree.”

The annual dinner brings in legendary speakers to honor leaders in the community. Lisa Kim of NBC-11 will preside over this year’s event, where cash grant awards will be given out to one outstanding student, teacher and individual in the Santa Clara Valley. Additionally, Mike Fox, Sr. will be honored with a special community award, Rich Braugh will receive the outstanding citizen award from the community leadership program, and Intel will be given corporation of the year honors.

Tickets to the highly anticipated evening have been sold out for weeks—even the most influential willing to pay top dollar are being turned away and plans are in place to simulcast the entire event on KLIV, radio 1590. “Unfortunately, 1,100 is the maximum capacity for the Imperial Ballroom,” says Cunneen. “Even though it’s sold out, people will be able to hear the message and we’re excited about that.”

Legends and Leaders is only one of many programs offered by this diverse chamber that represents a full spectrum of the Silicon Valley economy. Under Cunneen’s leadership, the chamber has transformed itself into a well-oiled machine in just three years. Despite the setbacks of a declining economy, coupled with Sept. 11, he is proud of how the chamber has grown. He attributes much of its success to adding new energy, new ideas and new commitment to the organization. Its membership has grown to nearly 2,000 strong by offering new programs, products and services, increasing its political advocacy, and launching a punchy, new Web site to help market its membership more effectively.

Most recently, the chamber spearheaded the Almaden Valley Business Association in an effort to further reach out and market the small-business population in Almaden on a more local level.

City-to-City is another of the chamber’s more exciting new programs that takes community leaders and high-profile businesses “on the road” to cities throughout the country to benchmark the San Jose community with those in major metropolitan areas. “Our success shows the power of this franchise,” Cunneen says. “It’s a great brand name and its role in the community is crucial.”

With an operation budget of $1.5 million, 13 employees, a reserve fund of $2 million, and a community fund of $1 million, Cunneen oversees a now-thriving organization, which was operating at a deficit just three short years ago. “This job was perfect after the Assembly,” he adds. “It was the right hybrid and experience for me. I get to keep working on issues I care about and I also get to run a great organization.”

On a personal note, Cunneen, a self-described recovering politician has always reviewed his career as “in and out of government.” Although he has no immediate plans to re-enter the political field, he won’t rule it out either. “You don’t have to be an elected official to do great things in the community,” he says. “I would like to run again, I just don’t know when or in what capacity.”

Although born and raised in Los Altos, Cunneen has deep roots in Almaden and now calls it home after moving there nine years ago. In 1903, his grandmother became one of the last babies born in the Quicksilver mines and annual reunions at the mine (complete with pastie pies) have always been a big part of the Cunneen tradition. “My grandmother was born there and now I’m raising my two children there,” he says. “Almaden has been a part of my life for my entire life. It became all the more special when my wife and I decided to buy a home here. This is where we plan to stay.”

The new Chamber of Commerce Web site is expected to be live Nov. 14 and can be found at www.sjchamber.com