SOAR is a broad coalition of local business owners, community leaders and Anaheim residents.
Founded in 2007, SOAR was created to protect the Anaheim Resort District — Anaheim’s economic engine.
At the time, the Resort District was seriously threatened by a plan to build high density housing within the district, which would have damaged its ability to grow, create jobs, generate tax revenue and provide visitors a true resort experience.
In response, a broad coalition of more than 10,000 Anaheim residents came together to use their combined influence to preserve and protect the Anaheim Resort District.
Today, SOAR continues to protect the Resort District and promote business and tourism growth in order to ensure sufficient funding for vital city services.
SOAR also has a political action committee, SOAR PAC, to support candidates that align with the business- and visitor-friendly district.
SOAR Advisory Committee Members
Fred Brown
General Manager, Desert Palm Hotel
Mitch Caldwell
Founder and Board Member, Anaheim Neighborhood Association
Laura Cunningham
President, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce
Cathy Dutton
Anaheim Realtor
Gail Eastman
Former Anaheim City Council Member
Craig Farrow
Retired Anaheim Police Sergeant
Sally Feldhaus
Founding Member, Anaheim Fall Festival
Board Member, West Anaheim Neighborhood Association
Sergio Gonzales
Former Los Angeles Fire Department
Jimmie Kennedy
Former Anaheim Police Chief
David Michael Klawe
Founder West Anaheim Organization
Paul Kott
Anaheim Realtor
Dara Maleki
Owner, Pizza Press
Andrea Manes
The Fun Starts Here!
Kris Murray
Former Anaheim City Council Member
Bill O’Connell
Owner, O’Connell Hospitality Group
Board Member, YMCA
Bharat Patel
Owner, Castle Inn
Pat Pepper
Former Chair, Anaheim Budget Advisory Committee
Paul Sanford
President, Wincome Hospitality Group,
Larry Slagle
Longtime Community Volunteer, Anaheim