A former president of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce died this week following a battle with cancer.
Gary Toebben, 74, died Tuesday in Kansas, according to a blog post from his wife, Janice Toebben.
Toebben led the NKY Chamber from 1999 to 2006 before taking over as leader of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
“The NKY Chamber extends our deepest condolences to all the friends and family of Gary Toebben at the news of his passing,” a statement from the NKY Chamber read. “Gary not only served as the NKY Chamber President for seven years, he was a dear friend who continued to work with and champion our region even after he left in 2006. Throughout the years, Gary was a wonderful advocate for businesses across the country and a pillar in the Northern Kentucky community.”
The Toebbens had remained in California until recently.
“His goal was to get back to Kansas and he did it,” Janice Toebben wrote. “The bone and bladder cancer had its way with him in the end. His prognosis was 6 months, and he made it 2 years and 2 months. I was in awe of his courage and determination.”
The L.A. Chamber also issued a statement honoring Toebben.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gary Toebben, former President and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Gary’s legacy of service and dedication to the Los Angeles region and communities is unsurpassed,” said Maria S. Salinas, current president and CEO of the L.A. Chamber, in a statement. “Through his tireless work, Gary was a true servant leader who cared about a better tomorrow for all Angelenos. We extend our condolences to his wife Janice and the entire Toebben family.”
In California, Toebben served on the mayor’s L.A. Economy & Jobs Commitee, the L.A. County Health Care Options Task Force and the city council’s Business Retention & Attraction Task Force, the statement said. “He also championed local and state ballot initiatives on transportation and economic development, and represented the Chamber as one of four co-sponsors of Proposition 11 to create a citizen commission to redistrict California after each census,” Salinas said.
“Gary showed his unwavering commitment to lifting up the Los Angeles region with equity long before equitable economics became the status quo. He will be missed, but his impact will be felt throughout Los Angeles and California for many years to come,” Salinas said.
In 2018, upon departing the L.A. Chamber, Toebben was interviewed by Los Angeles Downtown News.
“It has been challenging but fun to serve in this position for 12 years. I have met the greatest people and made so many friends. Sometimes, when you’re from the Midwest the perception of California is they’re a bunch of snobs,” Toebben was quoted as saying. “But people here are really friendly. Janice and I have enjoyed the diversity of the people we’ve met. We’re amazed every day at how talented people are.
“Los Angeles is not for the faint of heart. You need to be both talented and hard-working to make it. And there are a lot of those folks here.”