PAXINOS - The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce wrapped up an eventful 2013 with promises of some "exciting" new projects and programs in the coming year.
Three new chamber board members and a new vice president were officially accepted at the Shamokin-based organization's 16th annual dinner, held Thursday night at Masser's Banquet Hall.
President Pam Burns, who represents First National Bank of Pennsylvania, Shamokin, thanked some 75 members and sponsors for attending, and said they were all involved with the chamber in the shared desire to "better the region."
PPL was the dinner's primary sponsor, First National Bank was a partnering sponsor and AREA Services, Shamokin, was the flower sponsor.
Mike Begis, of KPI Technology, Elysburg, is the chamber's new vice president. He replaces Steve Minker, who, along with board members Thomas Harlow and Warren Altomare, leave the board following expiration of their two three-year terms. All three former board members were thanked for their service, and Minker and Harlow were in attendance and were presented gifts.
The three new board members are Deb Yeager, Susquehanna Bank, Shamokin; Nicole Edmondson, Luzerne County Community College Northumberland Campus; and Pat Mack, Northumberland County Planning Commission.
Chamber Director Whitney Fetterman also noted that four businesses recently joined the chamber. They are Apex Insurance Group, Kulpmont; Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition; Catawese Coach Lines, Shamokin; and Justice Works Youth Care, Mount Carmel.
Developments
Fetterman was hired earlier this summer to take over for Sandy Winhofer, who resigned in May to take a new job after six years leading the chamber. Winhofer remains active as a member through UNB Bank, Mount Carmel, and was in attendance Thursday.
Fetterman spoke about the chamber's newly redesigned website, which allows members to update their own information. (Visit www.newsitem.com.) Also, the chamber has developed a new initiative called "Chamber High 5's," which celebrates a new member, a ribbon-cutting, anniversaries or other business milestones. Chamber High 5's can be found in the chamber's electronic newsletter.
The chamber has expanded the newsletter, which includes information from the state and national chamber, and it has a "save-the-date" section to let members know about upcoming events.
Fetterman also noted the chamber's utilization of social media, including Facebook, Constant Contact and Twitter, and that the organization continued in 2013 with some of its most popular projects and fundraisers, including a golf tournament, job fair, career symposium, duck drop and monthly luncheons.
Fetterman said later the chamber is planning a Small Business Saturday for this holiday shopping season, and that there are a few other projects in the works. The chamber is assisting an individual with the formation of an association that could benefit the area and help grow chamber membership, she said. (Any businesses wanting to participate in Small Business Saturday should contact the chamber at 570-648-4675 or wfetterman@censop.com.
To the topic of "weathering change," Teri MacBride, PPL regional affairs director, noted how times have changed, and how PPL, in its efforts to conserve energy, is in a unique position for a business in that it's "encouraging customers to use less of the stuff we make."
Discussing the devastation of Hurricane Sandy last year, she said the company invested $14 million over the past year to "harden the system" in the region.
Other board members
In addition to Burns and Begis, other officers and board members are Ed Christiano, Northumberland County Housing Authority, secretary; Chris Venna, Shamokin Area Middle-High School, treasurer; William Richie, First Columbia Bank, Elysburg, Elysburg region vice president; Harry Morgan, Pennsylvania CareerLink, Shamokin region vice president; Rob Slaby, Coal Township business manager; Gale Zalar, Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc., Shamokin; Joe Daniels-D'Andrea, Clear Channel Radio, Shamokin; Gino Sinpoli, GiGi's Gifts, Coal Township; and Jodi Berry, M&T Bank, Shamokin.