New Oceanside Chamber president details his vision for the future

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has ushered in a new era of leadership, naming John Dianellos, the owner of Old Spirit Distillery, its new president. Dianellos replaces Paul Engel, who completed his two-year term as president.

Dianellos, who was appointed the Chamber’s new leader on Jan. 1, wasted no time in outlining his vision for the local business community. He said he wants the Chamber to be a proactive force for business advocacy and support, and stressed the need for small business owners to unite in facing common challenges.

“We are small business owners,” Dianellos said. “We are in the same boat when it comes to different issues that we face — financial issues, regulatory issues, promoting issues, business marketing issues. All these things are issues and problems that we all face one way or another. Not everybody has huge budgets behind them, and we should try to use whatever resources we have and address those issues.”

As he prepared for the Chamber’s installation dinner at Temple Avodah on Thursday, when he was set to officially assume his new duties, Dianellos said his goal is to lead the group into a new era of growth, innovation and collaboration.

“There was a different perspective of how everything was set up,” he said. “Now, I’m trying to run it as a business. Everybody brings something to the table. We welcome any constructive criticism we can get from anybody, and we’re going to address issues, whatever they might be.”

Dianellos arrived in the U.S. from Cyprus in August 2001 as a transfer student studying to be an electrical engineer. After completing his associate degree, he went back to Cyprus for a mandatory two-year military service.

He then decided to return to the U.S., enrolling in the New York Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a computer and electrical engineering degree. While attending school, he decided to start a construction company with some friends to earn a living. Dianellos officially became a U.S. citizen in 2005.

When Dianellos and his partners figured out that they all shared the same passion when it came to alcoholic beverages, he ventured into the spirits industry and came to Oceanside in 2017 seeking to fill a void in the market for high-quality Passover products.

Despite encountering initial challenges navigating regulatory hurdles and launching his business during a global pandemic, his distillery has persevered, driven by a commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity.

“Whatever John does, I’m excited that he’s part of it,” Joe Ponte, a member of the chamber’s board, said. “For what he’s brought to Oceanside, the community is fortunate.”

Dianellos said he wanted to entrench himself into the community, which is why he joined the chamber in 2021. He emphasized the importance of establishing camaraderie within the community, which he believes comes from his Cyprus upbringing.

“I grew up in a small community, and we all knew each other,” he said. “Most of us are related in some way. If there is a way where you can contribute one way or another, that’s a good thing. It grows the community. I was trying to find ways to connect, and I was looking into chambers of commerce.

Dianellos reached out and was able to connect with Maria Heller, long-time chamber member and community leader. Joining the chamber around the pandemic saw new challenges that Dianellos wanted to address.

“I started getting involved, and I was going to the meetings, and I saw what was missing on the structural side, and I started getting to know the ins and outs of everything,” he said. “I didn’t want to just promote my business, I wanted to try to see what else was missing that I could apply myself and help other businesses. I see there is a lot of potential out there, and there’s a lot of things to do. There’s a lot of good people in the chamber right now and everybody’s excited.”

The chamber is poised to undertake a series of initiatives aimed at empowering local businesses. These include educational workshops on topics such as website optimization and financial management, designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive.

“We all have to chip in,” Dianellos said. “Doesn’t matter where you come from, if you live in an area, you have to be involved in one way or another because your customers are out there. If you don’t take care of the community around you, then you know something is wrong.”

Additionally, Dianellos said he plans to leverage the chamber’s platform to advocate for members’ interests, whether it be addressing infrastructure issues or liaising with policymakers.

“We have those connections and the tools, especially with the politicians who’re always looking to work with us, which is a good thing,” he said. “If we can do something, let’s do it.”

Looking ahead, Dianellos said he envisions the chamber as a catalyst for economic growth and community development in Oceanside. With a team of board members that includes vice president Joe Cibellis, secretary Brittany Humes and treasurer Leslie Braun, and a host of dedicated volunteers, he’s confident in the chamber’s ability to effect positive change and make a tangible difference when it comes to local businesses.