C H A M B E R September 2013
State Eggs and Issues In February the MCCEA Public Relations Committee brought State Eggs and Issues to The Memorial Building in partnership with the Breakfast Rotary Club. Senator Joey Hensley, Representative Sheila Butt and Representative David Shepard presented their stances to 157 people on the expansion of Medicaid, education reforms, new jobs and the possible creation of an Office of the Repealer. Karen St. Clair, Assistant IT Manager at CPWS, finds her involvement with the Public Relations Committee valuable. As past chairman and moderator of the committee’s activism she says, “We sponsor Eggs and Issues because citizens want to ask questions of the candidates when it affects practically everything in our lives. Our aim is to get face time with the constituents and find out what is on their radar for the future.”
Federal Eggs and Issues MCCEA’s Public Relations Committee and the Breakfast Rotary Club will also host a political assembly at the Memorial Building on August 23. “Our committee members worked to secure the representatives and contribute crucial questions. U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn, representing the 7th district, and U.S. Congressman Scott Des Jarlais, representing the 4th district, will offer insight on actions being taken in Washington,” says Mike Sharpton, Financial Advisor at MetLife and MCCEA Public Relation Chairman. Inspired by the full calendar of political forums hosted by the MCCEA’s Public Relations Committee, member Chaz Molder says, “Our purpose is to bring awareness to the political issues of the day. Not only can the public be educated, but the congressmen can review outlooks of Maury County citizens.”
MCCEA Annual Meeting
Farm City Breakfast Each year in March, the Agribusiness Committee of the MCCEA continues a time honored tradition begun in 1996 when the Campbell Ridley Farm was recognized as the first ‘Maury County Century Farm.’ The designation spotlights owners of Maury County family farms who have been in continuous agricultural production for 100 years or more.
Some 200 Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance members gathered at the Memorial Building for food, entertainment, awards and a brief overview on the future of the MCCEA. The annual ritual of tabletop designs were awarded to Williams Funeral Home (Best All Round) and Shred, Etc. (Most Fun). Jimmy Couch took honors as the MCCEA Ambassador of the Year. Membership Event host, Jimmy Cusano, spoke to the success of a larger chamber membership. Maury County President of First Farmers and Merchants and past president of the MCCEA, Harvey Church, says, “Jimmy reminded us to look around, appreciate what we have and PROMOTE it”.
This year, the distinction was awarded at the Ridley 4-H Center Farm City Breakfast to John Satterwhite of Satterwhite Farms. He accepted on behalf of his farm and many generations of farming family before him. Traditionally, during the breakfast, upcoming agricultural scholarship opportunities are announced in memory of a Maury County farmer. Tammy Scott Riley and Donna Kay Scott Vick, children of Donald Scott, accepted the honor; opening the gates for applicants to be awarded in May. Ag students who excel in academic performance and community involvement are always eligible. Mike Jernigan, Agency Manager of the Maury County Farm Bureau and Farm City Breakfast Chairman, says, “The list of applicants was long and strong this year. The community really backs The Alliance for the Ag Scholarships.” Students Samuel Savage, Tanna Norman, Rachel Wolters and Ashlyn Mitchell, were each awarded one thousand dollars. Long time Farm City Breakfast Committee member, local farmer and Chief Credit Officer at Community First Bank and Trust, Jim Bratton, speaks to both honors: “It’s important to remember with this event that not only has agriculture been an historical cornerstone for Maury County, but we rank 5th in the state in beef production, 7th in goat production, 8th in horses and mules and 16th in milk cattle, bringing in 28.5 million in annual revenue, a good portion of which is returned to the local economy.”
Scholarship winners from L to R: are Tanna Norman, Samuel Savage, and Ashlyn Mitchell. Not pictured is Rachel Wolters. Others in the photo are the Scott family (rows 2 and 3) and Agribusiness Committee Members Mike Jerrigan, Gary Weatherford, Archie Morrow, and Richard Groce. Also pictured is MCCEA President, Wil Evans.
www.mauryalliance.com
When Chamber Director, Kara Huckaby, first heard of ‘Your Chamber Connection’, a unique approach to improving membership and volunteerism, she pledged to try something new. With 20 years experience in building Chambers of Commerce, Jimmy Cusano, ‘Your Chamber Connection’ Vice President and ‘EnterTrainer’, delivered a message to over 100 Maury County Chamber volunteers on how Chambers of Commerce support economic vitality while fostering crucial networks for livability. Jimmy’s enthusiasm energized and motivated membership volunteers resulting in 215 new members. At the final celebration of the 3 day event, Jimmy presented the awards. The Pink Team won top honors for the most recruits with Drew Parker being the winningest captain. Harvey Church and Brandom Gengelbach won “Top Dog” awards with Harvey taking the highest honor. The ultimate honors were “Godmudda” and “Godfadda” going to Kim Willis, President of Columbia Construction and Russ Parkes of Hardin Parkes Kelley Carter & Bryant. Top honorees paid their respects to Willis and Parkes, who were also honored at the Annual Meeting in late January. Reflecting on gains of the Membership Event, Kim said, “Investing in The Chamber is a catalyst for economic growth. The experience grew my sense of community - I renewed old relationships and met new people who will help me in my business.”
Your Chamber Connection
Membership Event
Ribbon Cuttings
Call Outs
25 Years & CountingLeadership Maury During May Westbury House was the site of people celebrating the 25th graduating class of Leadership Maury. Years ago, long time community advocate and Senior Trust Officer at First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Houston Parks, first read about Leadership Nashville and approached past Chamber President Bill Chaffin and Chair Bill Smith with the idea for Leadership Maury.
State of Maury County Chamber Member Ray Henson at the Rite Care Walk-In Clinic in Columbia offers accolades for the State of Maury County event held in April at the Northfield Conference Center. “Absolutely, I enjoyed the event and will attend next year. I believe that hearing from different areas of Maury County was helpful in targeting our market. Information about the past and the future helps my son, Chandler, the owner of Rite Care, to highlight future projections. The ‘State of Maury County’ event provides a rare opportunity for the Maury County Board of Education, Columbia State Community College, the Maury Regional Health Care System and all mayors to discuss past actions and future dreams. Brent Cooper, Assistant DA for Maury, Wayne, Lawrence and Giles County, says, “Listening to the leaders of Maury County was informative and afterwards, it was helpful that we had a chance to talk to them one on one.” The State of Maury County is the brainchild of the The Chamber’s Public Affairs Committee which also brought last season’s political debate, Pizza and Politics. Chamber Director, Kara Huckaby, is pleased with the continued action of the Chamber’s committee work. “It is a wonderful and unique opportunity to learn about Maury County in one evening,” she says.
“Our intent was to allow an overview for each class of how things work in the county, hopefully inspiring each class member to find ways to serve through service - whether it be political or non-profit. The networking opportunities since that time blossomed says, former Leadership Maury Coordinator, Janet Earwood, “The program provides education towards a strong community. Leadership Maury is a lasting resource to help each person who attends become better at what they do.” Chairman of the Leadership Maury Board, Adam Southern, says, “The program is enjoyable and gives participants a great way to network in a rare look under-the-hood of Maury County. It shows participants all the parts and gears that drive the county forward.” During the celebration, graduation certificates were presented to the twenty-nine class members by Southern. Kara Huckaby, Chamber Director and Leadership Maury Coordinator, challenged graduates to lead the community and become involved in what makes Maury County exceptional - its people.
August 23rd
Events • Federal Eggs & Issues with Rep. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Scott Des Jarlais
September 16th
• Breakfast with Lamar; Senator Lamar Alexander will be our guest and speaker.
September 24th
• Glenn Shepard Seminar “How to Manage People and Lead a Team”
November 4th - 8th December 6th
• Handshake Week • Chamber Holiday Open House
To keep up with all events, refer to your weekly update or at mauryalliance.com. Register for events by calling the office or on-line through the member login section.
Upcoming Events
Dates
New Members in 2013 (included are those from the membership event) Buffalo Valley Inc. Campbell & Lovell Rentals Cartridge World CFE Pools, LLP Charter Business Chevy White Auto Sales Cisco Systems Clyde Howell Roofing Columbia Antique Mall Columbia Dance Academy Columbia Farm Supply Columbia Fire Equipment Columbia Gridiron Columbia Health Foods Columbia Main Street - Historic Downtown Columbia Community Barbershop & Hairstyling Computer Services Corporation Crown Liquors Dannie Holmes Catering Davis Hardwood Flooring Dick and Gale Moore Die Hard’s Towing Downtown Col. Business & Professional Assoc. Dr. Eric Costamaa Dunavant’s Body Shop Dwight Fox EarthSavers, LLC Eastside Animal Hospital Ed Wilson Edward Jones-Matt Handley Elite Financial Products, Inc. Emily Sciensky Expert Tire Eye Health Partners Fab-Line Machinery Fast Pace Medical Clnic Fidelity Information Systems, (FIS) Firefly Essentials, LLC FireHouse Subs
First Assembly of God First Call Ambulance First Presbyterian Church Friendship Home Healthcare Froggy’s Fog Game Time Sports & Training Garry W. Love, DDS Gilliam Lawn and Landscaping Ginger’s Hair & Skin Care Glendale Farm Good Shepherd Graphics Grace Church of the Nazarene Graphic Label Solutions, LLC Great American Fundraising Grumpy’s Bail Bonding LLC Gutter Works Harvest Wealth Management Harvey’s Gym Haynes Family Chiropractic Healogics, Inc Henson Moving Company Highland Corporation Highland Park Baptist Church Highridge Farm Hunter Body Shop IBEX Global (formerly TRG) IBM In10sity Industrial Contractors International Assurance of Tn Itty Bitty J&M Supply J&S Salon J’s Tacos LLC Jake Hubbell, Attorney at Law Jason Whatley Jenny Moore Jim Ross Insurance Joe and Betty Lancaster Joe Carter, Realtor John Stephens (continued on next page …)
Membership Updates
A & L Properties A Balloon Shop A-1 Exterminating AccuImage Advance Paving Advanced Network Solutions Agathos Classical School Alex R. Goodman, DMD All Star Capital, LLC Allen’s Seamless Gutters Alpha Graphics America’s Home Place Inc. Anderson Place Shoppes Andrew T. Szaflarski, M.D. Animal Care Clinic of Carters Creek Animal Emergency Clinic of Maury County, LLC Aqua Pools and Yardscapes, LLC ARC Works Welding Arcus Restoration Arts in Action Aruba Networks Auto Trim Design B&B Complete Auto Repair Badcock Furniture Barr Motors Barry Blackburn Plumbing Baskin Robbins Baskin-Irby Construction, LLC Bassham Excavating Baymont Inn & Suites Bella Salon Bethel Chapel AME Church Bethel University BIOS of Tennessee, LLC Brandom Enterprises Brent Cooper Bruce Kimball Buckhead Coffee House Buddy’s Tire Store, Inc.
Membership Updates
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New Members in 2013 (included are those from the membership event) Julia West Justin Frizzell Keg Springs Winery Keller Williams - Brady Saunders Kelley Mortgage Kids Place/A Child Advocacy Center Killion’s Radio Cafe King’s Creek Golf Course King’s Firearms & More, LLC Kitty’s Market & More Law Offices of K. Brian Hay Lazy G Enterprises Lily Jane Listerhill Credit Union Live Oak Community Development Lyman Davidson Dooley, Inc. M B Heating and Cooling, LLC M&S Marketing Malace HR Maury County Concerned Citizens Maury County Democratic Party Maury County Health Department Maury County NAACP Mayberrys All Things Automotive McCanless Trucking Co. Inc. McEwen Group, LCC McKee Contracting, Inc. McKnight Properties Medcenter Display Michael’s Hair Design Mid South Gastroenterology Mitzi’s Hair & Nail Gallery Moni Monee’s Hair Salon Morgan Stanley/Ron Hart Nationwide Insurance Northside Medical Professionals Norton Family Farms Nova Copy Office Max Painting With a Twist Patchtown Division of Fanciwork Custom Embroidery Paul Varney Construction, LLC Peach State Roofing Pease Business Machines Penny Machinery & Supply, Inc. Perfect Setting Pet Pals of Maury County, TN Pettus McLain Trucking Co Inc Pioneer Dock Equipment Planet Fitness
Pomeroy Poplar Estates Precious Memories Discount Monument Sales Preferred Care at Home Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant Radio WMCP ReMax Elite-Phyllis Parkes Reminisce Antiques ReNova Right Care, Inc. Rimshot Creative Rippey Auto Parts Company, Inc. River Terrace Roben Mounger Rock Star Audio & Video Ronald K. Beck Ronald Wright Jr., DDS MS Rose Mart Roto Rooter Roundtree Napier & Ogilvie Funeral Home Saddle Creek Golf Clulb Sam’s Club 6249 Sammy Patterson Sarah B. Gilliam Photography Screamin’ Screens Media, LLC Sears Home Store Sequatchie Concrete Service Service King SERVPRO Sharpe Properties Shaw Enterprises Simply M Photography Skin Solutions Solomon Builders, Inc. Solutia Revenue Recovery Southern Middle Tennessee Entrepreneur Center Square Market & Cafe Steve’s Gun & Archery Stoney Brook Golf Course Subway on Trotwood Sullivan Accounting Sykes Appraisal Service T&M Specialty T. W. Frierson Contractor, Inc. Target Marketing SouthComm Publishing TBEKTU Development & Design, LLC Technology in Motion Tenn South Distillery Tennessee College of Applied Technology
Tennessee Rural Health Tennessee Technology Center of Pulaski Terry Johnson InsuranceTed Johnson The Go 2 Girl The Grog Shoppe The Laughing Apron The Needle Nest The Old Curiosity Book Shop The Pink Porch The Retail Coach, LLC The Speech Language and Learning Center Timco Inc Time Logistics, Inc. TLC Automotive Tommy Hight Insurance Co Too Much Stuff Totty Enterprises Tri Star Bank U S Gold Ultimate Life Services Uniq4U Universal Screen Inc. Upchurch Electric VIP Moving & Storage Waste Solutions of TN West Investments Wetswerd Holding LLC William DePriest Williamson Pediatric Dentistry Wilson Physical Therapy and Wellness Winning Moves Wonderful LIfe Senior Services, LLC Woody Givens Plumbing Worker’s Health & Walk-In Clinic Wright’s Plumbing YaYa’s Bakery Cafe Your Chamber Connection Zoe’s Antiquities