”Pick our battles and then fight hard.”

That’s the advice given to Tim McCallion, the local Verizon Communications Inc. executive who took over last week as chairman of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce for 2008. McCallion was installed as chair at the chamber’s annual dinner on Thursday, replacing mover and shaker David Fleming, who is now busy launching the Los Angeles County Business Federation.

Faced with a host of daunting public policy problems that impact the region’s businesses, McCallion said the key to his tenure as chair will be to pick a few issues where the chamber can make the most difference and then “don’t be afraid to enter into policy debates on these issues.”

Among the likely candidates: more cutting of red tape at the Los Angeles City Hall, attracting large companies to Los Angeles and boosting science and technology education in local schools.

Film Award

For Charles S. Cohen, a lifelong interest in film paid off at the Sundance Film Festival last month.

Cohen, a developer who owns the Pacific Design Center, co-produced the movie “Frozen River,” which was given the festival’s grand jury prize for dramatic film.

The movie is the story of a woman who becomes involved in a human smuggling ring that brings people from Canada to the United States.

Cohen said the win was quite a thrill.

“I’ve been interested in film all my life, including making shorts as a teenager and in college,” he said. “Winning at the Sundance Film Festival has been a dreamlike experience.”

Hammer Tribute

Russell “Rusty” Hammer, former president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, left a legacy of courage during his final days.

Diagnosed with leukemia in 2003, Hammer resigned from the chamber in 2006 and moved to a hospice in San Jose. Despite his illness, he worked to establish a non-profit called Wellness Community Silicon Valley to help cancer victims, survivors and care-givers.

“Rusty was the lead person getting the charter, raising the first $50,000 and putting the board together,” said Steve Tedesco, a lifelong friend who succeeded Hammer as chairman of the organization. “But in November, he just couldn’t go to board meetings anymore.”

Hammer died Jan. 28 at age 54.

“He was very much of an inspiration for people,” said Tedesco.

Hammer wanted to establish the organization because he and his wife, Pamela, had benefited from a Wellness Community in Pasadena before moving north.

“He battled a courageous fight against cancer for four and a half years,” said Gary Toebben, current president of the L.A. Area Chamber.

Staff reporters Joel Russell and Howard Fine contributed to this column. Daniel Miller can be reached at [email protected].