The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes William Brandt as a part-time team member focused on Government Affairs. With a strong passion for policy and advocacy, William brings experience in government-related initiatives, public speaking, and legislative outreach.
His interest in government affairs started in high school through the YMCA’s Youth and Government program, where he participated in a mock state government modeled after real legislative processes. “Being part of that program gave me a realistic look at how bills are passed and how the judiciary operates. From that point on, I was really interested, got deeply involved, and eventually became the president of our 71st delegation.”
Alongside Youth and Government, William was active in speech and debate, which shaped his understanding of policy. “Speech and debate was very different from Youth and Government. It focused more on hypothetical resolutions but still centered around government policy—whether the government should or shouldn’t take certain actions. I’ve always thought about policy in terms of how it affects people, businesses, and communities.”
At El Camino College, he continued debating at a national level before transferring to UC Berkeley, where he shifted to direct advocacy through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). “I was really interested in privacy rights, specifically technology privacy. Through the ACLU, I got to go to the State Capitol and advocate for bills on issues like police misconduct and immigration. We’d get a packet, walk into a state representative’s office, and make our case for why the bill should pass.”
Now, nearly a year after graduating, William is eager to apply his experience to his role at the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve definitely been looking for a place where I can put all of that energy. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Policy (GAP) is a platform where I can expand my knowledge and make an impact on the community.”
As someone from a small business family, William understands the challenges business owners face. “It means a lot when you’re advocating for people who are just trying to put food on the table and do better for their community.” He sees the Chamber as a key advocate for businesses. “I want businesses to feel like they have a voice, not like they’re in the dark.”
Outside of work, William enjoys reading, movies, and board games. “Now that I’ve had almost a year out of college, I’ve really gotten into sci-fi and fantasy books, along with Stephen King novels.” He also made it a goal to watch every Best Picture nominee in theaters this past year. “My favorite movie of the last year was Dune: Part Two, and I was lucky enough to see it in 70mm IMAX.”
The Chamber is excited to have William on board and looks forward to his contributions in Government Affairs. Please join us in welcoming William Brandt to the Chamber team!