Volume 2013, Issue 12
The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber
December 2013
Festive events wrap up this year’s Chamber major activities Volume 2013, Issue #12
Update from Executive Director Amanda Baillie
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SVRHC announces new CEO
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SEARCA holds representatives luncheon
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Cox Charities distributes $112,000 to non-profits
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DecemberSchedule of Events
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November Events at a Glance
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Many contribute to our Chamber’s success
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Member Page
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Board of Directors / Chamber Staff
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“We Mean Business”
By Amanda Baillie Executive Director Local businesses will be in the spotlight this month, thanks to two major community events. The Chamber encouraged its members to take advantage of the marketing opportunities offered by the 14th Annual Festival of Trees, and many of you did. We are delighted to see an increase in participation by businesses, with a record number of large trees (50) being entered for display at the Mall at Sierra Vista. In total, there are 88 entries, to include tabletop trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and centerpieces. The Festival of Trees, hosted by the Chamber, the Mall and the Sierra Vista Herald, kicked off on November 24 and will end on December 5 with a celebration event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Throughout the festival, all display items will be available to buy, with part of proceeds going to help create a new library at the Boys & Girls Club. Purchased trees can also be donated to local charities, who will deliver them to families in need. Additionally, a tree will be given to a soldier’s family. During the celebration evening, there will be drawings for some spectacular prizes,
ranging from a 55 inch television to a leather reclining chair. Tickets cost $5 each or five for $20 and are available at the Chamber or the Mall. Please stop by the Mall to view the Winter Wonderland created by the donors and the Mall team. Just two days after the Festival ends, the Chamber will be presenting the 55th Annual Christmas Parade. The theme is A Cowboy Christmas. The night light parade has grown every year and we are very pleased to see an increase in business registrations for this event also, especially from companies that have not taken part before. The goal of this event, sponsored by Lawley Automotive and Cox, is to expose businesses to thousands of people as their entries are viewed during the parade. The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. on the corner of Seventh and Fry and will make its way east along Fry to Avenida Esquela. The parade will be preceded by the Santa Fly-In at 9 a.m. at the ACE Hardware parking lot. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive via an Air Evac helicopter. The Chamber would like to thank all oft hose members who are supporting these important events and we look forward to celebrating the festive season with you.
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The Chamber Vista
Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie It is with mixed emotions that I write this update—my last as Executive Director of the Chamber. I will end my two and a half years with this organization on December 7—the day of the 55th Annual Christmas Parade. “Your outstanding Chamber team continues to strive to improve what we offer the business community.”
Heading up the Chamber has been a true honor and I am extremely proud of all that we have achieved these past couple of years.
Membership has grown by a net increase of more than 100 and our finances are much healthier, allowing us to improve the service we offer Many of you have asked me members. why I have chosen to step down. The simple answer to We have introduced many new this is that after several benefits, events and programs. years of racing car speed We have formed new partnerprojects and roles, I want to ships and built long lasting relatake a break and pursue tionships. other opportunities. We have created a strong I have been overwhelmed by Chamber that stands ready to the positive feedback and continue to support this comgood wishes I have received munity. these past few weeks. Of course, none of this is possible without a dedicated and
committed staff and Board of Directors. Your outstanding Chamber team continues to strive to improve what we offer the business community. They are genuinely passionate about what they do. I have also been lucky to have a board that supports the mission of this Chamber and which allows the staff to get on with the job, while providing guidance and input. I would like to thank each and every member for your continued investment—it is why we do what we do. I look forward to continuing relationships and friendships as I wait to see what 2014 brings. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
SVRHC announces new Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dean French from Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, San Antonio has been named Chief Executive Officer at Sierra Vista Regional
participated in planning the construcDr. French comes to Sierra tion of the new hospital and faciliVista with his wife Jennifer and betated the move from the existing fa- gins his new position December 12. cility to the all-new hospital.
Prior to beginning his medical career, Dr. French spent seven years in the US Army Special Forces and two years in the US Army Special Health Center. Forces Reserve. He spent time with His combination of hospital the 1st, 10th, and 12th Special operational success, a strong clinical Forces Groups as Senior Special Ophistory, and distinguished military erations Medical Sergeant. service makes him uniquely qualified According to Dr. French, “My wife to lead in this community,” said Jennifer and I are very excited to Chairman of the Board, Bruce Dockcoming to Sierra Vista. This is a very ter. Dean French MD is a boardexciting time for this hospital and the certified Family Physician. He most community. I look forward to working recently served as Chief Operations/ with the medical staff, hospital emMedical Officer at Mission Trail Bapployees, and the board to continue to tist Hospital, a 110-bed community improve the quality and access to hospital serving south San Antonio, healthcare in southeastern Arizona.” TX. While at Mission Trail, Dr. French
Getting Your Business Found Online A Cochise College SBDC Event
Wednesday, Dec. 11 9-10:30 a.m. Cochise College, Sierra Vista Campus, Room 900. Contact the SBDC today at (520) 515-5478 to sign up. It doesn’t do much good to have a strong web presence – a website/blog, Facebook page, etc. — if people can’t find you easily. Whether you have a brick-and-mortar presence, an online store, or both, you need to show up in search. Especially Google search.
Volume 2013, Issue 12
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Chamber group hosts state representatives luncheon
The Southeast Arizona Rural Chambers Alliance (SEARCA) hosted a joint luncheon for State Senator Gail Griffin and State House Representatives David Gowan and David Stevens. SEARCA is represented by the Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Benson, Willcox and Bowie Chambers.
Don’t forget to download the free Chamber APP for all your local shopping and services’ needs. Featuring only Chamber members, events, hot deals and more!
The luncheon in Benson was attended by members of each Chamber’s Board of Directors and invited guests. The group heard about the 2013 State Legislative session and had the opportunity to ask questions of the three representatives.
Workers Compensation Insurance Increase January 2014 ment of Insurance has approved the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s (NCCI) recommendation to the Arizona Department of Insurance for an overall average rate increase of 3.2%, beginning Jan. 1st, 2014. The change in rates varies depending on the specific classification code. Each classification belongs to one of five industry groups. The average changes proposed for each of these groups are: Arizona requires employers to have work- Manufacturing: +1.4% ers compensation insurance coverage Contracting: +3.9% for their employees. This insurance pro Office & Clerical: +3.8% vides coverage for an employee who Miscellaneous: +0.9% has suffered an injury or illness resulting from job-related duties. Coverage Goods & Services: +4.1% includes medical and rehabilitation For information, visit SCF Arizona at costs and lost wages for employees http://bit.ly/1fdiJS0 injured on the job. The Arizona Depart-
BUSINESS AT TWILIGHT Hosted by:
Thursday, December 12 5:00 pm 260 North Garden Avenue
FOOD! FUN! RAFFLE! PRIZES!
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The ChamberNewsletter Vista Title
Schedule of Events
Cox Charities distributes $112,000 to 30 area non-profits Cox Charities has announced its selection of non-profit grant recipients in Southern Arizona and will distribute $112,000 to twenty-one area non-profits including the Sierra Vista Public Library’s Teen Center DJ/ Recording Studio. This is Cox Charities’ largest annual donation to the region since the program was launched in Southern Arizona in 2004.
equipment to provide teens a safe place where they can learn to digitally compose, mix, sample, and record music while being instructed by local musicians, sound engineers, DJs, and other music professionals through classes in a small group setting. “We are proud to invest in the Southern Arizona communities, including Sierra Vista, where Cox employees live and work, through the many grants that Cox Charities award to youth and education programs” said Lisa Lovallo, vice president of Cox in Southern Arizona.
Funds raised by Cox Charities directly support programs like the Friends of the Sierra Vista Public Library’s Teen Center DJ/Recording Studio. The DJ/ Recording Studio idea was a proposal from local 8th graders when the City Council asked for input into the Since its inception in 1996, Cox new youth center for the neighborCharities has awarded more than $4 hood. million to local Arizona nonprofits that support youth and education. This $10,000 grant will purchase
Wed., Dec. 4 - Military Affairs (MAC) Luncheon, 11:30 am at TMAC. Thurs., Dec. 5 –Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening, Hoppin’Grapes, 11:00 am at 409 W. Fry, Suite B. Sat., Dec. 7 –Santa Fly-in, 9:00 am at Ace Hardware Parking Area. Sat., Dec. 7 - 55th Annual Christmas Parade, “A Cowboy Christmas, 5:30 pm. Tues., Dec. 10 - Ribbon Cutting, Heavenly Fudge, LLV, 11:00 am at The Mall at Sierra Vista Wed., Dec. 11 –Ambassadors Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm PDS Country Club. Thurs., Dec. 12 –Business at Twilight (BAT), Sun Canyon Inn 5:00 pm at 260 N. Garden Ave. Wed., Dec. 18 - Leadership Sierra Vista, Economic Development/Business Day. Fri., Dec. 20 - Board of Directors Meeting, 7:30 am at the Cox Resource Room, Chamber office.
SAVE THE DATE! Sierra Vista Area Chamber ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING January 30th, 2014
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Super low advertising rates! Members pay only $99. Executive Club Members pay just $49. SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on 8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight (20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color) paper. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 18, 2013 NOTE: Insert space is limited and is provided on a first come, first serve basis. For information, call the Chamber at 458-6940 or email: mdillard@sierravistachamber.org
Volume 2013, Issue 12
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Top Row: Shred-a-thon 2nd Row (left to right): Mini Expo, Color Guard at Bring a Vet, Presentation to Chaplain. 3rd Row: Military Affairs Bring A Vet to Lunch with guest speaker, Congressman Ron Barber. 4th Row, Right: PuroClean hosted November’s Business @ Twilight Bottom Row: Ribbon Cutting at Sierra Vista Napa, Middle & Right: Ribbon Cutting at Sierra Vista Flowers and Gifts.
For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events
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The Chamber Vista
Many contribute to our Chamber’s success As 2013 draws to a close, the Sierra Vista Area Chamber is pleased to have reached new levels in total number of members, quality events and organizational stability. For the last two-and-a half-years, the Chamber has been led by Executive Director, Amanda Baillie. The Executive Director is the liaison between staff and the Board of Directors, is usually recognized as the face of the Chamber and, assisted by a staff of four, heads day-to-day operations. By now you probably know that Amanda is vacating her position December 7th . We wish Amanda well in all her endeavors and appreciate her dedication and hard work.
The Chamber staff consists of four positions: Events Coordinator, Marketing and Membership Director, Office Manager and Communications Director.
Diane Erwin has held the title of Events Coordinator for over 7 years. The Christmas Parade is perhaps her favorite and most demanding annual While we will be transitioning to a event, but her organizational abilities new Executive Director, we remind are behind the success of other anyou that the strength of the organizanual happenings like The Santa Flytion is multi-faceted and derived In; The Annual Meeting; The Health, from several sources: Chamber Wealth and Lifestyle Fair; Power of Members, Board of Directors, Executhe Purse; The Home & Business tive Director and Chamber Staff. Expo; and The Mini Expo. Diane is Six hundred and forty-two members also the liaison of the Ambassadors strong, the Sierra Vista Area ChamCommittee and the Leadership Prober stands as a noted voice of the gram. business world in Southeast Arizona Most weekdays you will find Marketthrough the work of the Ambassaing and Membership Director John dors, Leadership, Military Affairs, Business Advocacy and Safety Com- Hargraves out in the community talking to people about the many ways in mittees. which we can assist their businesses. The Board of Directors, made up of community leaders who have agreed Always upbeat, and possessing an uncanny ability to take networking to to serve as the Chamber’s guiding body contribute to the overall sucnew heights, John is the energy becess by meeting regularly with the hind member growth and education. Executive Director and keeping He leads Ribbon Cuttings, Business abreast of business concerns. If you @ Twilight and The Lucky Bucks Prohaven’t already met Board Members gram. Once a month John organizes at events and committee meetings, a most dynamic and valuable memyou can find out more by visiting our ber orientation dubbed Chamber website at http:// 101. sierravistachamber.org/?p=608
If you have called the Chamber in the last year and a half, you’ve probably been greeted by Office Manager Toni Rogers. She is charged with keeping the financial records, answering phones, greeting visitors, scheduling meeting rooms and coordinating facilities’ cleaning and maintenance. In addition, Toni is the staff liaison for the Chamber’s Safety Committee and records the minutes for the Board of Directors’ meetings. The newest member of the team is yours truly, Margaret Dillard, Communications Director. I accepted the privilege of working with this uniquely qualified and talented team of professionals November 2012. Since then, I get paid to log onto Facebook and Twitter to see what all of our members are up to! Okay, so I am also responsible for this monthly publication, The Chamber Vista and The E-Blast, weekly correspondence sent to more than 1700 email addresses. I serve as webmaster for the Chamber’s online presence, including My Chamber App, our mobile site, all social media, and our instant messaging service. I also provide some IT services and assist the Co-chairs of the Military Affairs Committee. So, you see that many, many people contribute to the success of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber and that is the signature of any great organization. The very heartbeat, however, is our members. You are the reason that the Chamber exists and you are the reason that the organization has not only survived, but thrived, during this prolonged period of the nation’s economic challenges.
Volume 2013, Issue 12
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A Special Welcome to Our New Members! Aida Abad-LegalShield CMS Auto Glass eXpert Fit Custom Bras Golf Cars of Arizona Meeh Design MKB Construction, Inc. More Than Doors Mr. Rooter
(520) 220-8645 (520) 559-5272 (520) 559-2429 (520) 378-9597 (520) 220-5990 (520) 305-4558 (520) 234-2006 (520) 226-3630
Sierra Vista Napa Sunstreet Mortgage - Heather Rodriguez Sunstreet Mortgage, LLC The Official Man Cave Site Tony's Board Shop Vacation Architect
(520) 458-1713 (520) 226-1180 (520) 459-1161 (520) 227-4728 (520) 508-5236 (520) 227-7887
Thanks to these members for renewing their commitment to the business community Angelika's German Imports Arizona Comfort Systems Arizona's G&T (Generation & Transmission B & D Lumber Bonanza Cleaners & Laundry Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC CerendipiTees Data Systems & Technology, Inc. Dove Security EXIT Realty Southwest Spirit First Baptist Church Fry's Food Stores Of Arizona Garden Place Suites Golf Cars of Arizona Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona Great Living Waters Hampton Inn High Desert Clinic Isaacson Homes J & L Auto Specialties/Newman Glass Co
Laser Cosmetic Services Long Realty Co. Long Realty- Katherine Zellerbach Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC MVP Awards Oasis Apartments Port Royale Apartments PuroClean Water, Mold & Fire Specialists Raytheon Company - Fort Huachuca Field Of Real Estate Press of Cochise County Sierra Vista Dream Center Sierra Vista Napa SMPLFY IT Sonoita Vineyards Southeast Arizona Association of Realtors Southwest Home and Hearth Specialists in Dermatology SSVEC/TransWorld Network, Corp. Stan's Fence Company Summit Fitness
Sutherlands Systems Integration Tee Sign Design, LLC Truly Nolen Sierra Vista Branch Office Tyler's Yard Tree & Landscaping Services University Physicans Healthcare Group Verizon Wireless Wells Fargo Bank & Company Main Branch Wendy's of Sierra Vista
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 Naco Dental National Bank of Arizona Netmedix IT Solutions New Frontier Animal Medical Center Northrop Grumman Corporation Patio Pools & Spas Pioneer Title Agency Pueblo del Sol Country Club Real Estate Press of Sierra Vista Rommel Equipment Services Rosemont Copper Company Sierra Vista Ace Hardware
Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review Sierra Vista Regional Health 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 The Boeing Company TownePlace Suites by Marriott University of Phoenix-Sierra Vista Campus Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors, David Burnett Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wayland Baptist University Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc. Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
Banner advertising opportunities available on the Chamber’s website. Call Margaret at (520) 458-6940 or visit http://bit.ly/19DFJ4F
Executive Club Members Allstate Insurance Company - Pat Meldrum American Southwest Credit Union Arizona Water Company 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 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 Landmark Cafe, The
The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878 www.sierravistachamber.org Mission Statement The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community. 2012-13 Board of Directors Executive Officers Chairman - Michael Benson - TDY Housing Past Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Chair Elect - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems Treasurer - Anita Farrow, National Bank of Arizona Secretary - Jack Blair, SSVEC
Chamber Staff
Board Members
Communications Director Margaret Dillard, mdillard@sierravistachamber.org
Frank Gonzalez, - Lawley Automotive Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office Glen Cobb - Sierra Suites Kevin Peterson - CGI Mary Tieman - Southeast Arizona Workforce Connection
Executive Director Amanda Baillie, abaillie@sierravistachamber.org Membership & Marketing Director John Hargraves III, jhargraves@sierravistachamber.org
Office Manager Toni Rogers, officem@sierravistachamber.org Events Coordinator Diane Erwin, derwin@sierravistachamber.org
Jon Galchik—TASC
Sierra Vista Area Chamber
PRESORTED
21 E. Wilcox Dr. Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635
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