Chamber Business Line March 2009 : Page 2
From The Chamber Chair Become Engaged in Public Policies In public matters, decisions are made by those who “show up”. In order to ensure that public policies are for- mulated to encourage business growth in our local economy, we as business people, must “show up”. In other words, we must be engaged in the process. My hat is off to Jason Thornhill and Rod Robison, local businessmen and Chamber members who have stepped forward and agreed to run for city council. Jason is running for the 2nd Ward council seat, which is becoming open due to Chris Janku’s retirement. Jason is a real estate agent and small business owner who recognizes the need for a stronger “business influence” on the council in these difficult eco- nomic times. Rod is running for the 6th Ward seat currently held by Barbara Hoppe. Ms. Hoppe has consistently voted against issues that would improve our economy by creating new jobs and helping to keep existing jobs in Colum- bia. By voting against the Landmark Hospital project, she voted against jobs for families and against a business which represents an important comple- ment to our existing health care ser- vices in Columbia. Rod recognizes that, in these scary economic conditions, we must make every effort to keep our good jobs and develop new jobs if Columbia’s economy is to stay strong. Rod is a long-time member of the Riback Supply Company management team. In these difficult times, I think we need people like Jason and Rod helping formulate public policy. But there is more to being engaged in your community than just running for elected office. If that is your passion and your intent, then congratulations! That is a wonderful service that you can offer to your community. If an elected office is not for you, would you consider serving on one of the many boards and commissions through the City of Columbia or Boone County? The Columbia Chamber of Commerce is going to do our part to encourage our members to become more engaged in our community. In the very near future, we will start communicating to you the opportunities that are available. And if you have an interest, we will help you to understand what it takes to get ap- pointed, and, more importantly, what it takes to be a good board/commission member. We want you to know that your Chamber is here to help you if you are willing to serve. Thanks to Peggy Kirkpatrick of the Central Missouri Food Bank and to Paul Land of Plaza Real Estate who have graciously agreed to co-chair this effort. Under their direction we will encourage and help you to become more engaged in this community where we all work, live, learn and play. board of directors Executive Committee Chair, Larry Moore, Con-Agg of MO, LLC Chair-Elect, Byron Hill, ABC Laboratories, Inc. Past Chair,Marty Siddall, KOMU-TV8 & CW Treasurer & Finance & Administration Div. Chair, Ben Galloway, Columbia Insurance Group Membership Development Division Chair, Randa Rawlins, Shelter Insurance Companies Community Development Division Chair, Daniel Rothery, Boone Hospital Center Economic Development Division Chair, Carol VanGorp, Columbia Board of REALTORS® Women’s Network Division President, Sherry Waddill, Boone County National Bank President, Don Laird, Columbia Chamber of Commerce Members Andrew Beverley, First National Bank Gerry Blaise, KOMU-TV8 & CW Randall Coil, Coil Construction, Inc. Jill Cox, Boone County National Bank John DeSpain, DeSpain Dermatology Center/ Skintuition Medical Spa Brian Foster, University of Missouri Rollie Hausman, Senior Resource Partners Peggy Kirkpatrick, Central MO Food Bank & Pantry Trish Koetting, Hoss’s Market & Rotisserie Michael Nichols, University of Missouri Melody Parry, Outfront Communications Tom Rose, Rolling Hills Veterinary Hospital, PC Jim Ross, University of Missouri Healthcare Vicki Russell, Columbia Daily Tribune Jim Schatz, Commerce Bank, NA Michelle Schawo, State Farm Insurance Companies Rob Wolverton, R. Anthony Development Group Ex-Officio Members Bob Black, REDI Chairman, Sircal Contracting, Inc. Dr. Gerald Brouder, President, Columbia College Dr. Brady Deaton, Chancellor, MU Bob Gerding, CORE, Gerding, Korte & Chitwood Darwin Hindman, Mayor, City of Columbia Dr. Wendy Libby, President, Stephens College Ken Pearson, Presiding Commissioner, Boone County Dr. Jim Ritter, Superintendent, Columbia Public Schools Bill Watkins, City Manager, City of Columbia board of advisors AmerenUE, Ronald Loesch, Mgr Boone County National Bank, Steve Erdel, Pres/CEO Boone Electric Cooperative, Todd Culley, GM/CEO Boone Hospital Center, Daniel Rothery, Pres The Callaway Bank, Gary Meyerpeter, Sr VP City of Columbia, Bill Watkins, City Mgr City Water & Light, John D. Glascock Columbia Insurance Group, Bob Wagner, Pres & CEO Col. Public Schools, Jim Ritter, Superintendent Columbia Ready Mix, Alan Barnes, GM Columbia Regional Hospital, Keri Simon, Exec. Dir. Commerce Bank, NA, Teresa Maledy, Pres Express Personnel Services, Michelle Ishmael, Owner First Natl Bank & Trust Co, Sabrina McDonnell, Pres Immvac, Inc., Kevin Sprouse, VP of Operations The Insurance Group, Charles Digges, Jr., Pres Isle of Capri Casino, Cindy Neff, Gen Sales Mgr Jeffrey E. Smith Cos., Jeffrey Smith, Pres/CEO Joe Machens Ford, Gary Drewing, Pres/GM KMIZ-TV, KQFX-TV, KZOU-TV, ABC 17 Stormtrack 24/7, Randy Wright, GM KOMU 8, Marty Siddall, GM Mediacom, Bryan Gann, Dir. Area Operations Missouri Credit Union, Hal James, Pres/CEO Missouri Employers Mutual, Dennis Smith, Pres/CEO Premier Bank, Steven Smith, President Regions Bank, Shannan Muller, Reg. Mktg. Coord. Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc., Wayne Whitehead Shelter Insurance Companies, David Moore, CEO State Farm Insurance Cos., Michael Staloch, VP of Op UMB Bank, NA, Craig McGonagle, President University of MO Healthcare, James Ross, Exec. Dir. University of Missouri, Brady Deaton, Chancellor William Woods University, Terry Culver, Director Word Marketing, Tony Richards, Sr. Partner/CEO chamber staff Don Laird, President Connie Barringhaus, Information Specialist Tina Bernskoetter, Director Government Affairs Victoria Brees, Director Program Development Michelle Earhart, Director Financial Services Liz Glockhoff, Director Women’s Network Andrea Jira, Director Membership Emily Poore, Director Communication Services Kristi Ray, Executive Vice President Melissa Smith, Information Specialist Sherry Wohlgemuth, Director Special Projects Larry Moore, Con-Agg of MO, LLC 2008-2009 Chair of the Board of Directors contact us 300 South Providence Road •PO Box 1016 Columbia, Missouri 65205-1016 phone: 573.874.1132 •fax: 573.443.3986 e-mail: admin@ColumbiaMOChamber.com www.ColumbiaMOChamber.com 2 www.ColumbiaMOChamber.com March 2009
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