Harriette Witmer ’44

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Harriette Witmer became involved in volunteer activities in 1957, when she started an auxiliary for family service in Santa Ana. She was president of Deepwater Chemical Company from 1970 until 1981 and attributes her success and preparedness in handling business responsibilities to the skills and knowledge she acquired as a volunteer.

Witmer serves as vice president of the $3 million 20 anniversary campaign for the South Coast Repertory and president of the Newport Harbor Art Museum, while actively volunteering at KOCE-TV and the Sherman Library and Gardens. In addition to her interest in the arts, she is a member of the Sheriff’s Advisory Council, trustee for the Betterment of Women, Inc., Western Region National Defense executive officer for the U.S. Department of Commerce, steering committee member of the Orange County Business Committee for the Arts and founder of Commerce Bank.

Witmer is a 1944 graduate of UCLA with a degree in fine arts and participates in Las Donas and Orange County Bruin Club.