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Quality Growth A High
Priority
“Growth”… to some that means dollar signs. To others it means
congestion and a challenge to our quality of life.
But when you put them together, as in “quality growth” you get both
dollar signs and quality of life. That is the Chamber’s economic development
mission, to strive for and encourage not just growth, but quality growth & high
wage job growth. To this end, the Chamber Board agreed to endorse the now
popular Riverview Project, but only after developers agreed to include a
business park along with the retail. The Lauth Property Group’s office and
medical complex that broke ground in October completed the developer’s
commitment to the Chamber and will now produce not only a quality retail center,
but a quality job center.
Other
growth projects that have been addressed by the Chamber Board that promise
quality development include the Levine “Pacific Proving LLC” project and DMB’s
planned urban development near Phoenix Mesa
Gateway
Airport. These two projects include nearly 5,000
acres of land and will be the centerpiece for the industrial and business base
in the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Area that is not located on the airport property.
The development of these projects will mean thousands of jobs in
Mesa’s future.
The Chamber
has also taken a high profile position in what could be the most unique resort
development in the valley. The
Chamber was a strong advocate for the “YES” vote on Waveyard, a high end resort
that will feature water attractions not found anywhere in the valley.
This project was designed to be a quality growth project unlike any in
the country featuring a convention hotel, office complex, condos, restaurants,
and specialty shops, along a waterway.
The San Antonio feel of the project will be
overshadowed by the unique features that include Olympic kayaking, surfing,
snorkeling and other water related sports.
For too long,
Mesa
has been satisfied with “growth” that was needed for attracting sales tax to
finance the city’s basic services. What is in our future is “quality growth” and
it is the Chamber membership and leadership that will be the constant reminder
to our political leaders that growth without quality is unacceptable.
The Chamber’s programs from economic development to political advocacy
will keep “quality growth” a high priority. The Board of Directors that are
listed in this publication and the programs of the Chamber are dedicated to keep
that quality as our primary goal.
Advocates of chambers of
commerce have long believed that when a company is active in its local chamber,
it is doing the right thing not only for the community but for its own success
as well. A special Research Study,
commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives conducted by The
Schapiro Group and Market Street
asked a random sampling of 2,000 adults nationwide “What is the real value of
joining a local Chamber of Commerce?
Local Chamber membership shows consumers:
59% - Showing people about your company; 63% - Showing that you are
involved in the community; 64% - Showing that you care about customers;
69%-Showing that you have a good reputation; 70%-Showing that you use good
business practices.
Your Chamber Board of Directors is made up of
business representatives of large and small employers has developed a business
plan that continues to offer programs of assistance to our diverse membership.
The plan requires the organization to be vigilant in public policy and to stand
up for businesses when issues impact economic opportunities. There will be added
emphasis on the Chamber’s role in providing leadership opportunities for those
seeking public office. The plan will continue to see ways to bring businesses
together to learn from each other and to find new customers.
Your Chamber Professional Staff
and your board of
directors are here to help put the pieces together that creates a strong
business base in Mesa. Call on us.
o
Strategic Plan 2008
ORGANIZATIONAL COUNCIL
The Organizational Council
is concerned with the business and overall financial
strength of the Chamber organization. Committees falling under this organization
are – 21st Century Leadership
Awards Luncheon, Ambassadors, Golf Tournament, Finance Committee, Leadership
Training and Development.
Develop and maintain the Mesa Chamber revenue to provide the funds necessary to
support the Chamber in achieving its mission and vision.
The
Board of Directors of the Mesa Chamber will be a coveted and sought after
position comprised of the most informed and influential business leaders.
Engage
young business leaders and younger citizens in developing future community
leaders that have an appreciation for their role in citizenship and community
involvement
Establish a performance evaluation plan that reviews all aspects of the Mesa
Chamber Board and Organization activities and functions
PUBLIC POLICY/AFFAIRS
COUNCIL
Public
Affairs is responsible for the Chamber’s success with local issues – city
governance, legislative matters and public policy issues that impact the free
market system or affect quality job growth, education and economic development –
as well as public recognition for the Chamber. Major activities falling under
this organization are – Education, Legislative Affairs,
East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance and
Candidate
College.
Chamber’s Strategic Plan
assigned to this council are:
Be the
one support source every candidate for public office knows they must have if
they are to be elected.
Act as the representative on the East Valley
Chambers of Commerce Alliance.
Review
the
Alliance
legislative agenda making appropriate recommendation to the Chamber and Alliance
Boards.
Be responsible for the Chamber’s
recommendations and actions on issues raised by the
Alliance
during a legislative session.
Communicate legislative issues to the
Chamber membership.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The
Economic Development Council is involved in developing programs designed
to promote a healthy business climate within the community. The goal is to make
the Chamber the organization that will be involved in developing programs to
maximize the opportunities for economic growth and job creation in Mesa.
Establish a taskforce to pursue the establishment of an economic development
partnership with the city.
Provide a mechanism for the continuous monitoring of Mesa’s
economy and
competitiveness indicators.
Stage
the first annual Mesa Economic Forecast.
Working on the momentum of the Forecast event, develop a community coalition for
economic development and act as a collaborator for Mesa’s economic development
efforts
by identifying opportunities for
better communications and partnerships between those organizations interested in
economic development.
SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL
The Small Business Council continues to foster small business
through programs with human resource issues, state and federal regulations,
financial planning, etc. Members of these task forces plan and develop programs
that assist other small businesses. The purpose of the business council is to
foster business opportunities through programs, state of the art marketing
techniques, and relationship development opportunities.
Committees falling under this organization are –
Winter Visitor Expo, Good Morning East Valley, Grow Your Business, Network
Tonite!, Small Business Assistance (SCORE), Business to Business Expo, Women’s
Business Council and Leads Groups.
As a council, there are three main objectives.
The business council is to act as an advocate and resource
for Chamber members. The council provides workshops and seminars on a variety of
business topics along with programs that encourage member to member networking.
The business council is to educate, motivate, and
encourage members and the business community about the chamber as a whole.
The business council will become the greatest resource for
business owners developing relations within the community and seeking out
opportunities for growth.
o
The Chamber is governed by officers and directors
who set the policy for the Chamber, establish its goals, and are responsible for
its operation.
2008-09
Board of Directors
John Barry, Williams Gateway
Airport
Jim Best, East
Valley
Tribune
George Bliss, Central AZ
Patrick Cassidy, Pollack
Development
Andrew Cohen, Levine
Development
Dale Easter, Mesa Leadership
Jason Farnsworth, Jason D.
Farnsworth, CPA *
Rex Griswold, City of
Mesa, Councilmember
Kathy Horney, Wal-Mart *
Bill
Jabjiniack, City of Mesa
Eric Jackson, JacksonWhite Attorneys
At Law *
Obie Jones, Boeing
Company
Jill Kusy, DMB Properties
Jared Langkilde,
Mesa
Community College
Carol McCormack,
Mesa United Way
Bob McNichols,
Daedalus Real Estate Advisors, LLC
Ann Merritt, Superstition
Springs Lexus
Paul Maryniak, AZ Republic
Joel Neitch, Wells Fargo Bank
Marc Pierce, Lee & Associates
Arizona
Tom Rhodes, Fox & Company
Daniel Rodriquez, Chase
Business Banking
Jay Roundy, Schaller Anderson
Behavioral Health *
Jack Sellers, AmeriCopy
Michael Stull, Cox
Communications
Richard Thompson, Valley
Express Towing
Darrell Truitt, Councilmember
Mesa
Randy Walti, MD Helicopter
Steve Wegener, Talley Defense
Systems *
Julie Wemmert, Twin Palms Hotel
Dave Wier, Wells Fargo Bank
Jim Winterton, Johnson Bank
Lois Yates, Falcon Field Area
Alliance
*
*
Denote Vice Chairman and Officer
 The Alliance - The Chamber is a founding
member of the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, a coalition of East
Valley chambers with a powerful lobbying force, representing over 5,000
businesses like yours.
110% Club - A special thanks goes to those
110% Club members who have voluntarily increased their dues by ten percent,
adding to their financial support of the Chamber’s work and programs. These
members have special recognition in this directory.
Workers’ Compensation Dividend Fund - The
Mesa Chamber of Commerce has partnered with State Compensation Fund to form an
association. This plan offers members an opportunity to lower the cost of
workers’ compensation insurance by sharing in a association group dividend, as
well as having the opportunity to earn an individual dividend.
SCORE represents the Service Corps of Retired
Executives. Free counseling by experienced executives is available through the
Chamber office once a week by appointment only. A Score counselor’s only
agenda is to help grow your business. Other workshops are available through
SCORE to help with business planning on a regular basis.
Ambassadors represent the Chamber as the
official hosts at grand openings, ribbon cuttings, and networking events. They
mentor new members by helping them learn about the benefits of belonging to the
Chamber and encouraging them to become active members.
Mesa Leadership, Training and Development
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(Mesa LTD) This program is sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. This nine
month program meeting one day a month, offers individuals a unique opportunity
to learn about Mesa government, education, history, arts, business, economics,
social issues and criminal justice.
Mesa Citizens for Responsible Public Policy - The Chamber was
founder of this political action committee that has championed the
passage of quality of life issues and issues to improve education funding.
Chamber Vision
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Serving its members, to act as the collective voice of business, industry
and the professions, to maintain and strengthen a prosperous business climate in
Mesa, and to enhance the quality of life in the community.
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Rights Reserved.
120 North
Center | Mesa, AZ 85201 | Phone: 480-969-1307 | Contact
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