Board of Directors - Executive Committee
Michael Benson Chair
DeeDee Hoeft Past Chair
TDY Housing
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Directors
Glenn Cobb Sierra Suites
Nathan Williams Nathan Williams Law Office
Rick Shelley Chair-Elect Horizon Moving
Jack Blair Secretary SSVEC
Anita Farrow Treasurer National Bank
Frank Gonzalez
Nancy Nash
Mary Tieman
CGI
Lawley Automotive
Stuff’n Baskets
AZ Workforce Connection
Phil Vega Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review
Elsie MacMillan Sierra Vista Toyota
Kevin Peterson
Ken Cecil The Mall at Sierra Vista
John Galchik TASC
Creating a strong local economy Providing networking opportunities Promoting the community Representing the interests of businesses Engaging in business advocacy and legislative action
2013 Annual Report
“The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community.”
Chamber Staff Executive Director Deanna La Velle
Communications Director Margaret Dillard
Membership & Marketing Director John Hargraves
Office Manager Ronda Yost Events Coordinator Diane Erwin
Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive • Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 • (520) 458-6940 • www.sierravistachamber.org
Chairman’s Message
decreased by about nine percent according to sales tax receipts. This past year presented unanticipated additional cuts with the Sequester and government shut down. Fort Huachuca will always be the major economic engine of our community but we must diversify our economy if we are to stabilize and grow our businesses. Viable sources of economic diversification include increasing tourism and winter visitors, cross-border trade, expanding higher education opportunities, and the Rosemont copper mine to name a few. The Chamber will support, encourage, and aid the City and EDF in their economic diversification efforts. As business leaders in our community, we ask you to do the same. Economic diversification benefits us all.
I would like to thank our member businesses, sponsors, and staff for their continued support of the Chamber and its advocacy for local business. Despite challenging economic conditions, Chamber membership is up and we finished last year well in the black with adequate reserve funds. Last month we welcomed Deanna La Velle as Executive Director. In addition to carrying on established Chamber events and programs, we tasked Deanna with supporting the efforts led by the City of Sierra Vista and the Economic Development Foundation On behalf of the Chamber board and staff, we wish our members a successful and (EDF) to diversify our local economy. Over the past few years, many local busi- prosperous 2014. Thank you again for nesses have seen declines in revenues your support and membership with your directly or indirectly resulting from cuts Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce. in Federal government spending. Since Michael J. Benson its peak in 2007, our local economy has Chairman of the Board
Sierra Vista Area Chamber 2013 accomplishments Engaging In Business Advocacy and Legislative Action
Disbanded the Legislative Affairs Committee and formed the Business Advocacy Committee, whose goal will be to take a more targeted approach on issues impacting the business community and to focus more on local concerns.
Attended Arizona Chamber Executives and Chamber Advocacy Day at the Legislature, along with a group of member businesses.
Executive Director participated as one of 20 speakers to present to Pentagon representatives regarding the impact of potential downsizing at Fort Huachuca.
Supported the expansion of the State’s Medicare program to help ease the financial burden on Sierra Vista Regional Health Center and lower business health insurance premiums.
Opposed the Federal government’s proposal to designate parts of Cochise County as critical habitat for the jaguar.
Continued to support the development of the Rosemont Copper Mine and conducted a board site visit.
Became a member of Congressman Ron Barber’s new Women’s Leadership Council.
Met with Cong. Barber and the Undersecretary of the Army to discuss the importance of Fort Huachuca to the business community.
Attended a community leaders’ meeting with U.S. Senator Jeff Flake to hear updates on important federal issues.
Hosted a luncheon with the Southeast Arizona Rural Chamber Alliance for State Senator Gail Griffin and State Representatives David Gowan and David Stevens.
Financial Reports Fiscal Year July 2012– June 2013
Fiscal Year to Date, July-Dec, 2013
INCOME Non-Dues Income $188,119.83 Membership Investment $198,584.89 TOTAL INCOME $386,704.72
INCOME Non-Dues Income $155,013.44 Membership Investment $100,200.91 TOTAL INCOME $255,214.35
EXPENSES Admin/Personnel Operating Committee/Events TOTAL EXPENSES
EXPENSES Admin/Personnel Operating Committee/Events TOTAL EXPENSES
NET INCOME
$272,423.98 $38,180.56 $61,176.19 $371,780.73 $14,944.97
NET INCOME
$146,960.44 $17,922.00 $40,600.66 $205,483.10 $49,731.25
Sierra Vista Area Chamber 2013 accomplishments Sierra Vista Area Chamber is the center
Representing The Interests Of Businesses
focal point for all business development.
Attended the Western Association of Chamber Executives and
Most people recognize that if you are in-
Arizona Chamber Executives annual conferences to enhance staff
volved with the Chamber you are network-
development and learn new ways to improve Chamber programs
ing and contributing to important advo-
and events.
cacy that is good for business, and the peo-
Continued to work with JTED staff at Buena High School to help
ple you meet are invaluable.
students find work placements.
Presented Chamber 101 to members of the City Council to help them better understand the Chamber and the business community.
Served on the Southeast Arizona Workforce Connection and Cochise Water Project boards, as well as the Huachuca 50.
Held the Leadership Boot Camp program to provide professional development for Chamber members.
Continued to be an active member of the Southeast Arizona Rural Chamber Alliance.
Hosted an Affordable Healthcare Act seminar with the SBDC to educate businesses on the new law.
Updated and improved the Executive Club benefits to increase value and exposure for those members.
Attended an Economic Development Summit hosted by the City of Sierra Vista, as part of the City’s new economic development strategy.
Hosted a safety seminar to
promote stress management and healthy eating in the workplace.
Executive Club “Thank you to these members for their additional support of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber and its mission.”
Allstate Insurance Company - Pat Meldrum American Southwest Credit Union American Family Insurance Arizona Water Company Baroumes Law Group, PLC Beacon Group Bishop & Brown, LLC BrightStar HomeCare CACI, Inc. Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc. Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC CerendipiTees *Home Based Business of 2012* CGI *Large Business of the Year 2012* Cherry Creek Radio City of Sierra Vista Complete Nutrition Cox Dental Village Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home General Dynamics Information Tech. Hobby Lobby Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc. JR's Food and Spirits KKYZ Radio
Landmark Cafe, The Las Palomas Apartments Lawley Automotive Center Lawley's Team Ford Life Care Center Long Realty Co. Longhorn Restaurant Mall at Sierra Vista - Management Office ManTech Telecommunications & Info Systems
Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC Naco Dental National Bank of Arizona Navy Federal Credit Union New Frontier Animal Medical Center Northrop Grumman Corporation Patio Pools & Spas Pioneer Title Agency
Pueblo del Sol Country Club Real Estate Press of Cochise County Rommel Equipment Services Rosemont Copper Company Sierra Vista Ace Hardware Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review Sierra Vista Napa Sierra Vista Regional Health Sierra Wash-N-Dry Southeastern Arizona Contractors Assoc. Southwest Gas Corporation Southwestern Eye Center Specialists in Dermatology Stachel & Associates, P.C. Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop. Sun Canyon Inn Systems Integration Tailored Living TownePlace Suites by Marriott University of Phoenix-Sierra Vista Campus Via Elegante Assisted Living Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors, David Burnett Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wayland Baptist University Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.
Sierra Vista Area Chamber 2013 accomplishments Creating A Strong Local Economy Hosted a trip to Naco, Mexico, to allow local businesses to meet with their counterparts across the border to improve and build relationships. Expanded the Health Fair to a Health, Wealth & Lifestyle Fair at the Mall, adding 30 new vendors. Hosted a seminar on targeting Mexican consumers with the Cochise College Small Business Development Center. Held a new Power of Women—Power of the Purse event at Sierra Suites, showcasing women owned businesses and providing networking opportunities. Staged the first Game On! Sierra Vista event for gamers and collectors at Fort Huachuca. Partnered with the SBDC and Sierra Vista Herald to stage a successful Women In Business Seminar. Hosted a sell-out Home & Business Expo at the Mall at Sierra Vista, providing valuable exposure to 87 members. Held a new drawing where the public could win five restaurant gift certificates to promote local eateries. Co-sponsored an International Trade Expo at the Mall to promote cross border trade and tourism. Hosted a successful Mini Expo for local home based businesses and charitable organizations. Staged a Shred-a-Thon event during the Mini Expo to help increase exposure for the Mall and event vendors.
Sierra Vista Area Chamber 2013 accomplishments Providing Networking Opportunities Held the Annual Membership Meeting, attended by more than 200 people, including Congressman Ron Barber. Hosted the Annual Awards Gala, recognizing businesses of the year, business person of the year and Ambassador of the year. Co-hosted 12 successful Business at Twilights with Chamber members, attended by an estimated 600 people throughout the year. Conducted more than 25 ribbon cutting ceremonies with the aid of the Ambassadors committee. Promoting The Community Continued to distribute up to 10,000 copies of the annual Community Profile & Membership Directory. Launched a new APP for the iPhone, Droid and Blackberry, promoting our members and the community. Successfully graduated 16 members of the 2012-13 Leadership Sierra Vista class. Revamped the annual map to include a glossy booklet focused on local recreation and tourism, to be launched in 2014. Helped hundreds of visitors and potential new residents learn about Sierra Vista and its businesses. Co-hosted the 14th Annual Festival of Trees, resulting in a significant increase in business participation and exposure. Staged the 55th Annual Christmas Light Parade, attracting visitors to the community and promoting local businesses.