Greetings!
The Chamber's 108th
Annual Installation & Awards Dinner was a great success! Special thanks to Master of Ceremonies, and Past Chairman
Ken Lounsbery
, all of our awards presenters, chamber staff and congratulations to the 2018 Honorees.
What follows are my outgoing remarks:
Good Evening
Last June, as incoming Chairman of the Board I presented a vision, goals and a work plan for the year.
"
The only place that success comes before work is in the
dictionary.
"
-Vidal Sassoon
Our Chamber's Board of Directors, our CEO President, staff and volunteers tireless work ethic is directly responsible for
a very successful year!
Our Board of Directors reflects a cross section of our diverse membership group and is a balanced mix of experienced, proven leaders and new voices with fresh ideas.
We have five Past Chairs serving on our board;
Linda Bailey, Fred Baranowski, Constance Larsen, Ernie Cowan, and Brian Murphy.
We have added new board members;
Christine Antoine,
Meagan Baker, Judy Fitzgerald, Mayra Salazar Magos,
Jerry VanLeeuwen,
and
Don Romo
and while they may be new to our board they are certainly not new to our community and all bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the team.
Three power house committees bring programs that help make the Chamber a regional influence and bring value to our Chamber members:
-
Dr. Luis Ibarra
is the architect of our new Education Committee and has already drafted several successful programs.
-
Matt Pound
and
Tom Stamos's
innovative approaches and unique vision has revitalized the Economic Development and the Government Affairs committees.
Rounding out our board of directors are seasoned board members;
Dr. Derry Connolly, Joe Coyle, Mona Durney, Dan Meyer, and Kristen Steinke.
All of our board members are Champions and tonight I have the pleasure of honoring three board members with Board Member of the Year Awards:
President and co-founder of Rancho Computer Networks and a Better Connection,
Mona Durney
says "
I am a people person who loves to help
."
You may know her from her work with Carols by Candlelight supporting Rady Children's Hospital.
I know Mona is dedicated, thoughtful and her positive can do attitude and enthusiasm is contagious!
Real Estate professional and 2013 Realtor of the Year,
Tom Stamos
, started Escondido Realty and later merged with EXP Realty. As a "rookie" board member Tom fast tracked to lead the Government Affairs Committee and join the Executive Committee. Tom brings a welcome calm, confident demeanor and positive outlook.
Dan Meyer
handles Community Relations with Escondido Disposal Inc.
Dan is another positive "voice of business" with a "we can do it" attitude. His counsel regarding community relations is always "spot on" and Dan has the ability to quickly turn new ideas into profitable events.
Mona Durney, Tom Stamos
and
Dan Meyer
are our Board Members of the Year!
Yes. The Chamber has had a very good year:
-we developed our Board of Directors, and procedures
-we created new programs
-we molded financially draining projects into profitable, useful tools
-we were advocates, supporting and opposing propositions and bills
-we gave donations, awards and scholarships
-we won awards
-we grew larger and more financially secure
And we did it all with you.
Let me paraphrase a quote from an experienced leader in our audience
"The Chamber is connecting business
people who care with business causes that matter."
Thanks Jack
Special thanks to my spouse, Deborah K - there is no other person in my world that offers greater love and support than my beautiful spouse.
To
Rorie, Claudine, and Kitty
- you are the best!
And to close
"I may not have been the best around
but I did my best
until the best could come around".
Thank you and good night.
Kevin S Svetich, CLU
Immediate Past Chairman of the Board
