Leadership has been defined in several ways. Among the most simple of explanations is “walking the walk”—not just talking about what needs to be done, but actually making it happen.
Our Chamber is fortunate to have many leaders among our ranks, particularly those that make up our Board of Directors, Executive Committee and committee chairmen. It is these individuals who carry out our purpose and mission. Together, they work to promote business in the community, provide programs and activities that benefit our entire 1,000 plus members, and strengthen the business climate of St. Tammany Parish.
The 2010 Executive Committee has been recently elected, and is made up of eight business leaders, each who donate a great deal of energy and expertise to advancing our goals and objectives, in the end, accomplishing specific tasks through their leadership.
Our 2010 board chairman will be Michele Avery of LaPorte Sehrt Romig Hand. Michele is currently spear-heading the development of Northshore Rising Professionals, a young professionals group for St. Tammany. She has been active in the governmental affairs arena, as a past Membership Drive Chairman, Membership Division Chairman, Treasurer, and is the first woman board chair since 2001.
Lisa Blossman of City Business/North Shore Report will hold the position of Chair-Elect. Having served her first three-year term from 2003-2005, she was nominated to return to our board in 2009 as Treasurer.
Immediate Past-Chairman is Jean Champagne. Holding a C.P.A. and J.D. degree, Jean was promoted to the main leadership role after serving in several other capacities primarily in the area of governmental affairs.
The Communications Division will be led by Amy Edwards of Capital One. This past year Amy headed up the Membership Division and earned that seat through her leadership on our Membership Committee, being a top recruiter and team leader since 2004.
Newcomers to the Executive Committee include Randy Meyer of Conbeth, Inc., another community leader active in many business and civic organizations, including as past president of the St. Tammany Home Builders. He will hold the position of Treasurer. The Joint Public Policy Division will be led by Scott Delacroix of Adams and Reese LLP, and former Small Business Advisory Council Chairman, Sandy Hughes of Hughes-Consulting, will lead the Business Support Division. The Membership Division will be led by Mike Dugger of Runners Choice & City Soccer, a newcomer to the small business community.
We also greatly depend on our Committee Chairmen to lead the efforts of each vital Chamber committee. In 2010 our committee chairmen will be as follows:
Nixon Adams, Mandeville Planning & Zoning Commission: History Committee
Mike Dugger, Runners Choice & City Soccer: Ambassador’s Council Chairman
Gabrielle Grant, Ochsner Health Systems North Shore: Cultural Economy Committee
Melissa Hodgson, St. Tammany Parish Hospital: Communications Committee
Sally Kingston, Merrill Lynch: Small Business Advisory Council
Kirk Landry, Florida Marine Transporters, Inc.:
Craig Marinello, Next Step Resources: Northshore Rising Professionals
Richard Muller, Lakeshore Title, L.L.C.: Finance Committee
If you are interested in getting involved in one or more of these Chamber committees this year, we invite you to join us for a special Call for Committee Members event taking place at 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 28th at Copeland’s. Please RSVP to 892-3216 ext. 2.
On behalf of our membership, we thank ALL of our leaders for their commitment to service in the challenging year ahead.
For more information on our Board of Directors, committees, and overall Program of Work, visit our website at www.sttammanychamber.org and be sure to find us on Facebook and Twitter.