On behalf of the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff, we would like to thank our members for their continued support in the business community of St. Tammany Parish and our region. 2009 was a record-breaking year for our Chamber: Named Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Chamber of the Year; Awarded Louisiana Culture Award for Economic Development; Provided Value Services to Membership with over 90 events; Membership at an all time high of 851 members; Provided a voice of Business on local, state and federal levels; and we are continuing to build coalitions for a strong business community. Because of the dedication of our community during economic hard times to the chamber, this year our Board of Directors is excited to offer our members and new members for 2010 their Chamber Investments without an increase in dues.
At our December Holiday Board Breakfast, Slidell Mayor Ben Morris joined us to install our 2010 Board of Directors. We are proud to present the following Directors:
Dawn Sharpe Brackett, CEO
Bill Newton, Geo Vera Insurance, CHAIR 2010
Jack Francioni, Brian Harris Autoplex, CHAIR 2009
Alan E. Hodges, Northshore Regional Medical Center, CHAIR 2008
Danny Schaus, CLECO, Governmental Affairs, CHAIR 2007
John Smith, CHAIR 2006
Sam Caruso, Jr., Slidell Memorial Hospital, CHAIR 2011
Carlos Yingst, Lockheed Martin Space System, Co., TREASURER
Terry King, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, VICE CHAIR
S. Michele Blanchard, Airey & Blanchard, L.C.
Peter Cavignac, Whitney National Bank
Kathy Lowrey, Northshore Harbor Center
Robyn Kline, Iberia Bank
Steve Kernahan, Pinnacle Financial Group
Joe DiGiovanni, CPA
Richard Bulot, Silver Slipper Casino
Patti Young, Lacombe Chamber of Commerce
ADVISORY BOARD:
Virgil R. Phillips, Alderman for Pearl River Town Council
Rob Cusimano, Ochsner Clinic - Slidell
Chadwick W. Collings, Attorney at Law
Brad Dubose, First Franklin Financial Corporation
Mark Baham, STARC
Cheri Carter, Mental Health Association of St. Tammany
Lydia Alford, Attorney
Melissa Richier, Owner - Geaux for the Gold
After a great retreat in October, the new Directors have put together an aggressive Program of Work full of exciting opportunities for our members. Either through our Public Policy Committee, the Ambassador Program, the Education Committee or Communications, we have a position for you to get involved, promote your business and make St. Tammany Parish a better place to live, work and play.
New and exciting opportunities being presented in 2010 include the partnering with the new Women Business Networking group of East St. Tammany, an Emerging Professionals Group and Speed Networking which allows you to build a rolodex of new contacts in one hour with an accelerated twist!
We hope you have made your reservations at our next event: Hollywood Nights in the East, a red carpet “Membership Awards and Appreciation” on Friday, January 8, 2010 at the Northshore Harbor Center. Second Wednesday Luncheon speaker this month is Patricia Schwarz Core, St. Tammany Parish Tax Assessor. Check our website at www.estchamber.com for more information or call the Chamber at 985-643-5678 to reserve your spot today.