Stefano new president of Fayette Chamber of Commerce
Fran Zajac|Herald-Standard
Muriel Nuttall, executive director of Fayette Chamber of Commerce, gives a report at Wednesday’s annual membership meeting where election results and the 2016 schedule of events were announced.
State Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, is welcomed as new president of the executive committee of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce at Wednesday’s annual meeting in Uniontown.
Photo by Fran Zajac
Photo by Fran Zajac
Greg Parsons shakes hands at the close of Wednesday’s annual membership meeting of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. As election results were announced, Parsons of Parsons Insurance Services finished a two-year term as president but continues to serve on the executive committee as past president.
Fayette Chamber of Commerce welcomed state Sen. Pat Stefano, R-Bullskin Township, as president of its executive committee Wednesday as election results for new officers and members of the board of directors were announced at the annual meeting in Uniontown.
Stefano was optimistic about his new role with the chamber, saying, “We all join the chamber as a way to give back to the community.”
He noted his commitment and said, “I can provide more insight than ever.”
The chamber’s new executive committee includes James Stewart, of Stewart Collision Service, as first vice president; Devan White, of BPU Investment Management, as second vice president; Robert Garrett, retired executive, as treasurer; Muriel Nuttall, executive director of the chamber, as secretary; Pam Moore, of The Uniontown Mall, as presidential appointee; and Wayne Port, of George, Port and George, as general counsel.
Gregory Parsons, of Parsons Insurance Services, became immediate past president, telling the membership that he enjoyed serving the past two years and thanking the executive committee, board and staff.
Parsons added, “I want to welcome new members. You’re going to enjoy it. It’s a great organization.”
Nuttall explained the executive committee is elected for one year with the president able to serve a second year if he/she chooses.
Sixteen members were elected to the board of directors. New members include Jim Majoros of Major Solutions, Erica Miller of the State Theatre Center for the Arts, Charlotte Molek of Penn Summit Insurance Agency, Steve Neubauer of Neubauer’s Flowers, Dave Polvinale of Vector Security, Vicky Sheetz of Park Inn by Radisson and Connie Slampak of Abby Health Services.
Returning members include Dr. Edward Jeffreys of Fayette County Career and Technical Institute, Brandon Katzeff of Joyce’s Fine Jewelry, Chris Kennedy of HALO Branded Solutions, Lisa Malago of Special Olympics Fayette County, Phil Michael, who joined as an individual; Lori Omatic of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus; Michael Quinn of Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Charmaine Sampson, who also joined as an individual; and Joyce Williams of United Bank.
Board members serve a three-year term. After three terms, they must take at least a one-year break before they are eligible to be re-elected. Four members finished their terms on the board, including Donna Holdorf, National Road Heritage Corridor; Dee John, Franklin John Realty; Stephanie King, an individual; and Matthew Dowling, Coordinated 360 and Boy Scouts of America. Hank Dunham, of Community Bank, is also finishing his term, serving most recently as immediate past president.
Combined the board and executive committee include 36 people. Total membership for the chamber is more than 600 with 51 new members joining in 2015. Members can join as businesses or individuals.
Nuttall gave a report that included a projected 2016 budget that shows the chamber expects to earn and spend about $213,000 in the calendar year.
She explained the chamber councils that are all open to members, including: government affairs, which talks about legislative issues of interest to the business community; special events, which plans activities; Fayette Business Education Partnership, which includes businesses, schools, and support organizations; education council, which handles students of the month, scholarship program and educators of the year; as well as a new small business council that looks at marketing, legislation and Small Business Saturday.
Nuttall also released a schedule of special events for 2016, including several open to the public.
She noted the chamber will still coordinate the downtown Uniontown Halloween parade, which is scheduled for Oct. 26 but will have a rain date this year on Oct. 27. The 2015 parade was canceled due to inclement weather but did not have a rain date.
Other public events include Meet the Legislators Luncheon Feb. 26 at a location that will be announced later, spring food drive March 19 at Adrian’s Market, student of the month/scholarship dinner April 7 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus; Fayette County Home Show at Fayette County Fairgrounds April 21-23, Fireworks over Fayette at Uniontown Mall area July 3, fall food drive Oct. 1 at Adrian’s Market, Spirits of Fayette County Ghost Walks Oct. 21-22, Fluid Power Challenge Day at Penn State Fayette Nov. 27, Downtown Uniontown Holiday Parade, Nov. 17 and an eighth-grade career fair in December. All dates are subject to change.
After the meeting, Nuttall said of 2015, “It has been a good year for our normal programmatic activities, like the Independence Day fireworks, and it’s been a great year in the areas we’ve expanded, like the Workforce Development Initiative — the Business Education Education Partnership. We look forward to even more progress and growth in 2016.”