California’s involvement in PBL began in 1947, with the chartering of Fullerton College (formerly Fullerton Junior College). The first State Leadership Conference was held on April 29, 1950 with over 200 members witnessing the first state officers elected and constitution approved. The conference theme was “Leadership in Action.”
Despite the best efforts to research the history of Phi Beta Lambda in California, little is known about PBL within this state. However, despite an obviously proud and active history through the 1970s and 1980s, PBL began to disappear in California during the 1990s. Since that time, great progress has been made leading to PBL’s rapid explosion within institutions of higher learning throughout California.
The new millennium marked the beginning of California PBL’s revival. In 2002, the state team challenged California PBL to Soar to New Heights. In 2003, California met the challenge to keep the momentum going. Under the caring leadership of State President Danielle Tuason née Tolentino, the state chartered two new chapters and doubled its membership to 110 members. In 2004, the state faced a new challenge to Exceed Expectations. With a great officer team, hard work, and dedication, California exploded growing to eight chapters and 234 members. The 2005-2006 year provided California PBL the opportunity to prove that the previous year was not a flash in the pan. By year end, California PBL stood strong at 12 chapters and 350 members, the largest state in the Western Region. 2009 brought a new era of professionalism by hosting the State Business Leadership Conference in a hotel rather than on a university campus, and in 2010, California PBL was Making Waves and moving the State Fall Business Leadership Conference into a hotel setting.
Now, in 2011, California PBL is excited to see all our members at the State Fall Business Leadership Conference at the Concord Hilton.