Chamber Members, It is with great pleasure and gratitude that you have re-elected me to the Chamber Board of Directors and given me the opportunity to serve you for another three year term and as President in the upcoming year.  I would first of all like to express my deep appreciation for our past President David Hruza and all of his efforts in the past year in making the Chamber of Commerce a viable part of all of our businesses and community.  I would also like to give my appreciation to our other Directors who have served and put countless hours of their time to make the Chamber what it is today.

As each New President of the Chamber brings to the table new ideas and contributions of what happens in the Chamber, I am bringing to the table what I think is the most important area for the Chamber to focus on in 2012.   In 2011 our President’s goal was to tell our story of what the Chamber is and does.  I believe that there have been great strides in doing so, I would like to carry it one step further this year by communicating to the membership and to our local businesses what it is that the chamber does to “create value” to its membership and our community.  I have asked the Chamber committees to ask that question as they plan and set their goals for 2012.

I believe it is important that each individual committee of the Chamber creates value for our members, and that a real hard look needs to be taken if a committee is not of value to the Chamber or the community.   We have many great committees in the Chamber and our committee chairs are always looking for members to join in and get involved.  I truly believe that each one of us have great ideas and can contribute a great deal to our membership and community, if we just get involved.  I would challenge you to make that choice to start letting your input and voice be heard by contacting the Chamber Executive Director (Kae) and start participating in the many programs and events that the Chamber offers.

As many of you know the Chamber has an amazing program that we do each year starting in January called the Leadership Program.  In the last couple of years, I have sent two of my staff members (including my wife) and the response and change in their attitudes and community involvement has been dramatic.  They both felt they were unaware of many things that go on here in our community, and the great economic impact that industry, agriculture, and small business have in making the Mini-Cassia area the great place that it is to live today.  I would encourage you all to attend this program and see the real benefit for yourself.

So in closing I would like to make share with you a thought from the book “The Ownership Spirit” by Dennis Deaton.   This book is impacting my life by really making me take a hard look at some of the thoughts that go through my mind each day.  It made me stop and think of how I was reacting to some of the challenges in my business and life.  It is based on 2 types of thinking the 1^st is Ownership thinking and the other Victim thinking. In his book Deaton states “The consummate truth of life is that we alter our destiny by altering our thoughts.  The mind is our most crucial faculty, our crowning asset, our ultimate arena of battle”. I know we all have challenges on a daily basis in our lives and businesses, but I would admonish to you that how you think about those challenges whether positive or negative, like an owner or a victim, will ultimately create your results.

Again it is an honor and privilege to serve you as the 2012 Chamber President, and I would like to hear from you.  If you would like to contact me my email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can call my office at 878-7768.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Have a great and prosperous 2012.