In 1887, Adolph Teichert arrived in Sacramento from New York and founded Teichert, a concrete company that would help shape California’s infrastructure for generations to come. Among the company’s early projects was installing the sidewalks around Sacramento’s state capitol building. Today, the same family-owned company that’s held California contractor’s license number 8 for over a century has achieved another notable distinction: Teichert is the first 100-year member of the California Chamber of Commerce, California’s leading business advocacy group.
“We’re really proud to be the first 100-year member of CalChamber!” says Jud Riggs, Chairman and CEO of Teichert. “We would have been happy to be one of three, but finding out we were first was even better!”
Teichert has evolved into a major infrastructure contractor from those early capital sidewalks, building roads, overpasses, and pipelines across the state. Their journey parallels California’s transformation from a frontier state to a global economic powerhouse, as CalChamber has helped its members like Teichert navigate the state’s complex regulatory landscape.
Shaping Policy Through Direct Advocacy
A Century of Partnership: How CalChamber's Advocacy Shapes California Business
By MONICA VANOVER on april 2, 2025
A Legacy of Business Advocacy
Teichert’s milestone membership reflects a deeper story about how business advocacy has fueled California’s growth into the world’s fifth-largest economy. For the last century, CalChamber has partnered with businesses like Teichert to achieve their mission of supporting businesses with the tools, resources, and advocacy needed to thrive in California’s dynamic economy.
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“CalChamber stands as the state’s largest broad-based business advocate, working at both state and federal levels to strengthen California’s economic foundation,” explains Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of CalChamber. “For over 100 years, it’s been our mission to be an advocate for employers to make their job a little bit easier. It continues to be our mission today despite the changing political environment.”
Despite the ever-shifting political landscape, CalChamber takes a high-road approach to both advocacy and compliance. “CalChamber’s goal is to help businesses achieve confident California compliance,’” says Barrera. “Through objective, fearmonger-free advocacy, CalChamber’s approach is distinctive and effective.”
For over 100 years, it’s been our mission to be an advocate for employers to make their job a little bit easier.
The organization’s advocacy extends far beyond traditional lobbying. CalChamber’s policy team regularly testifies at legislative and regulatory hearings, while engaging in crucial behind-the-scenes discussions that shape proposed laws and regulations. Their annual “job killer” and “job creator” bill tracking system has become a vital tool for identifying legislation that could impact California’s economic health.
This comprehensive approach to advocacy involves deep engagement at every level of government. CalChamber’s policy advocates testify regularly at public hearings of the Legislature, state agencies, and regulatory bodies on topics ranging from labor and employment law to environmental regulations. Behind the scenes, these experts work to streamline government processes and improve the state’s business climate through detailed policy discussions and strategic recommendations. Through position letters on state legislation and regulations, the team ensures that lawmakers understand the real-world implications of their proposals impacting California’s business community.
“CalChamber has always been an effective advocate on behalf of business,” Riggs, Teichert’s CEO, notes. “We operate in a ferociously competitive business space. CalChamber is the perfect partner on behalf of business on an unbelievable variety of things that are often a barrier to a business’ success.”
Electoral Influence and Member Engagement
CalChamber’s influence extends into the political arena through its robust political action program. The organization’s Public Affairs Council and network of coalitions and political action committees work together to support pro-job candidates and influence ballot initiatives.Through careful research of both candidates and initiatives, CalChamber provides members with crucial information to make informed decisions about California’s job climate.
Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of CalChamber, emphasizes this comprehensive approach: “For our businesses and employers operating here, we help make remaining compliant with California’s complex labor laws a little bit easier. We also advocate on their behalf with the state legislature to make sure the laws being debated and considered have businesses’ needs and interests in mind.”
Local Impact, Global Reach
CalChamber’s strength lies in its ability to connect local business communities with global opportunities. Through partnerships with local chambers of commerce across the state, the organization has built a powerful grassroots network that amplifies the voice of California businesses. This collaboration is reflected in multiple industry recognitions that highlight excellence in business advocacy and employment law compliance. For example, the President’s Circle Award recognizes local chambers that excel in advocacy and member support, while the Advocacy Champion Award, launched in 2023, celebrates leadership in local business policy efforts. Similarly, the HR Champion Award acknowledges chambers that assist their members innavigating California’s complex employment laws. These awards reflect the shared mission of strengthening the business community across the state.
These local partnerships create a foundation for global engagement. Through its International Affairs division—which includes global resources and contacts, Trading Partner Portals, trade issues, federal legislation, and information about the import/export business—CalChamber leverages its statewide network to facilitate international trade opportunities, organizing trade missions that span from North America to Asia and Europe. Business leaders from local chambers regularly participate in delegations to Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, and Mexico, creating direct connections between California’s local businesses and international markets.
Legal Affairs: Protecting Business Interests in Court
Since 1982, CalChamber has played a crucial role in major litigation affecting California employers. “Many issues having a huge impact on California’s economy, business climate and how California employers manage daily operations are being decided in court,” notes Barrera. CalChamber files friend-of-the-court briefs to ensure business perspectives are considered injudicial decisions, presenting courts with a comprehensive analysis of how laws affect the business climate.
Recent victories demonstrate the department’s impact on California’s business environment. The legal team has successfully advocated in cases ranging from wage and hour disputes to environmental regulations, helping to clarify complex compliance issues for employers. Their work extends beyond individual cases to shape broader legal precedents that affect how businesses operate throughout the state. With legislative gridlock increasingly common on challenging issues, the department’s role in presenting business perspectives in judicial proceedings has become even more critical to maintaining a balanced regulatory environment.
The organization’s resale program exemplifies this local-global synergy, providing member chambers with revenue-generating opportunities while ensuring their members have access to crucial compliance resources. The Local Chamber Relations Department serves as a hub for this activity, offering executives ready access to management resources and international trade expertise.
Building Lasting Legacy
For companies like Teichert, CalChamber’s comprehensive support has been instrumental in building lasting institutions that contribute to California’s prosperity. “A company is really a collection of people,” Riggs reflects. “Many people come and spend their careers at Teichert. We’re proud to have second-and third-generation employees working with us.”
Barrera sees Teichert’s century-long membership as a model for business success in California.“ As our first 100-year member, Teichert is an example of what we hope for all of our members,”she says, noting how the company’s focus on long-term sustainability aligns with CalChamber’s vision for California business. “We’re so thrilled.”
In many ways, the story of Teichert is indeed the story of California—one of growth, adaptation, and sustained success through partnership. Through their century-long collaboration, both organizations have demonstrated how effective advocacy, combined with a comprehensive approach to business support, can help enterprises thrive while contributing to the state’s broader economic prosperity. Be part of a century-long tradition of advocacy by becoming a CalChamber member. Explore the latest news, resources, tools, and everything else CalChamber has to offer California businesses at CalChamber.com.
In 1887, Adolph Teichert arrived in Sacramento from New York and founded Teichert, a concrete company that would help shape California’s infrastructure for generations to come. Among the company’s early projects was installing the sidewalks around Sacramento’s state capitol building. Today, the same family-owned company that’s held California contractor’s license number 8 for over a century has achieved another notable distinction: Teichert is the first 100-year member of the California Chamber of Commerce, California’s leading business advocacy group.
“We’re really proud to be the first 100-year member of CalChamber!” says Jud Riggs, Chairman and CEO of Teichert. “We would have been happy to be one of three, but finding out we were first was even better!”
Teichert has evolved into a major infrastructure contractor from those early capital sidewalks, building roads, overpasses, and pipelines across the state. Their journey parallels California’s transformation from a frontier state to a global economic powerhouse, as CalChamber has helped its members like Teichert navigate the state’s complex regulatory landscape.
Teichert’s milestone membership reflects a deeper story about how business advocacy has fueled California’s growth into the world’s fifth-largest economy. For the last century, CalChamber has partnered with businesses like Teichert to achieve their mission of supporting businesses with the tools, resources, and advocacy needed to thrive in California’s dynamic economy.
“CalChamber stands as the state’s largest broad-based business advocate, working at both state and federal levels to strengthen California’s economic foundation,” explains Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of CalChamber. “For over 100 years, it’s been our mission to be an advocate for employers to make their job a little bit easier. It continues to be our mission today despite the changing political environment.”
Despite the ever-shifting political landscape, CalChamber takes a high-road approach to both advocacy and compliance. “CalChamber’s goal is to help businesses achieve confident California compliance,’” says Barrera. “Through objective, fearmonger-free advocacy, CalChamber’s approach is distinctive and effective.”
The organization’s advocacy extends far beyond traditional lobbying. CalChamber’s policy team regularly testifies at legislative and regulatory hearings, while engaging in crucial behind-the-scenes discussions that shape proposed laws and regulations. Their annual “job killer” and “job creator” bill tracking system has become a vital tool for identifying legislation that could impact California’s economic health.
This comprehensive approach to advocacy involves deep engagement at every level of government. CalChamber’s policy advocates testify regularly at public hearings of the Legislature, state agencies, and regulatory bodies on topics ranging from labor and employment law to environmental regulations. Behind the scenes, these experts work to streamline government processes and improve the state’s business climate through detailed policy discussions and strategic recommendations. Through position letters on state legislation and regulations, the team ensures that lawmakers understand the real-world implications of their proposals impacting California’s business community.
“CalChamber has always been an effective advocate on behalf of business,” Riggs, Teichert’s CEO, notes. “We operate in a ferociously competitive business space. CalChamber is the perfect partner on behalf of business on an unbelievable variety of things that are often a barrier to a business’ success.”
CalChamber’s influence extends into the political arena through its robust political action program. The organization’s Public Affairs Council and network of coalitions and political action committees work together to support pro-job candidates and influence ballot initiatives.Through careful research of both candidates and initiatives, CalChamber provides members with crucial information to make informed decisions about California’s job climate.
Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of CalChamber, emphasizes this comprehensive approach: “For our businesses and employers operating here, we help make remaining compliant with California’s complex labor laws a little bit easier. We also advocate on their behalf with the state legislature to make sure the laws being debated and considered have businesses’ needs and interests in mind.”
CalChamber’s strength lies in its ability to connect local business communities with global opportunities. Through partnerships with local chambers of commerce across the state, the organization has built a powerful grassroots network that amplifies the voice of California businesses. This collaboration is reflected in multiple industry recognitions that highlight excellence in business advocacy and employment law compliance. For example, the President’s Circle Award recognizes local chambers that excel in advocacy and member support, while the Advocacy Champion Award, launched in 2023, celebrates leadership in local business policy efforts. Similarly, the HR Champion Award acknowledges chambers that assist their members innavigating California’s complex employment laws. These awards reflect the shared mission of strengthening the business community across the state.
These local partnerships create a foundation for global engagement. Through its International Affairs division—which includes global resources and contacts, Trading Partner Portals, trade issues, federal legislation, and information about the import/export business—CalChamber leverages its statewide network to facilitate international trade opportunities, organizing trade missions that span from North America to Asia and Europe. Business leaders from local chambers regularly participate in delegations to Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, and Mexico, creating direct connections between California’s local businesses and international markets.