Each year seems to rocket out of the gate at the Chamber, and 2014 has been no exception. With a new team of volunteer Board members, the launch of new Chamber programs and events, and a more positive business climate, the SLO Chamber is recharged.
Much of the increased enthusiasm emanates from the more than 150 volunteers who share their time, expertise and energy on Chamber committees and councils. These groups serve as advisory bodies to the Board of Directors. The committees and councils begin meeting in February.
Serving as the liaisons to each of the volunteer groups are the Chamber’s Vice Chairs.
We pulled each Vice Chair aside and asked them what they are most excited for in the coming year. This was their response.
“I’m most excited about the momentum around high quality community and economic development projects that are on the books or underway, and the ones we’ll see completed or started in 2014.”
Chris Richardson, Richardson Properties, Vice Chair Community Affairs
“The Ambassadors are such an incredible resource for our Chamber. It’s such a small core group of volunteers who dedicate so much time throughout the year. I am excited to involve a boarder group of ambassador volunteers, alongside Chamber board and committee members, to encourage participation from new and varied members of our community in order to strengthen our Chamber and its brand.”
Cheryl Cuming, WineCoastCountry.com, Vice Chair Membership and Operations
“I am most excited about being able to really focus on the local, countywide and statewide issues that will most affect local business in this next year. With the Chamber’s big move and many operational changes behind us, we are truly focused on doing what the Chamber does best and that’s to advocate for business. We have a dynamic Issues Evaluation committee, Legislative Council, and we are heading into election season and will be watching, evaluating and communicating to our members on all. And I am really excited about the SLO Energy that Tim Williams is bringing to lead our board this year.”
Donna Lewis, Central Coast Mortgage Consultants, Vice Chair Legislative Affairs
“I’m most excited about the collaboration that’s going on in our community and region. These initiatives range from land use updates to collaboration with Cal Poly to tourism. I predict this will be a year of great progress on these and other fronts with the Chamber providing leadership as well as being a valuable collaborator.”
Clint Pearce, Madonna Enterprises, Vice Chair Economic Development