a message from the chairman - Montgomery Area Chamber of

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
It is an honor and privilege to serve as the 2011 Chairman of the Board of
Directors for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.
Because my family and my business call Prattville home, some folks have
told me that my chairmanship is the real face of “Montgomery and the River
Region.” But the truth is, city limits and county lines are meaningless when it
comes to building a business or developing a customer base. And even more
importantly, future economic development growth depends on the entire River
Region – the Greater Montgomery Area – working together in partnership. One
of the many lessons learned from the Chamber’s recent Inter-City Leadership
Visit to Austin was the amazing depth of regional partnerships, all rallied
around a common vision, and centered on a thriving city center.
The Austin study visit was the perfect springboard to inspire us as we enter
the fifth and final implementation year of the Imagine a Greater Montgomery
strategy, and begin development of the next five-year plan. It will be a
year of evaluating how far we have come in reaching our goals, and taking
stock of the strides we have made – like seven new Career Academies;
leading the state in announced jobs and industrial expansions; the wildly
successful Emerge Montgomery young professionals program; the creation
of the Diversity Summit; the strengthening of mission at Maxwell-Gunter; a
vastly transformed image through downtown and riverfront development;
revitalization of all sectors of Montgomery; and growing economic returns from
convention and tourism recruitment. The next Imagine a Greater Montgomery
II will build on those successes, and forge a new economic strategy that, like
Austin, will take us to the next level.
One of my personal goals for 2011 is to increase the awareness of what the
Chamber does, and why joining the Chamber is the best business decision
you can make for building your business, for your future economic growth and
the future of the entire River Region.
Ultimately, we have to make this a place where our young people want to stay,
to live, to work, and raise a family.
Thank you for your support of the Chamber. Hold on to your hat – this
year is going to be an exhilarating journey as we Imagine an Even-Greater,
Greater Montgomery!
Sincerely,
Larry D. Puckett
2011 Chairman of the Board of Directors
2011 Executive Committee:
(Seated, L-R) Chairman
Elect Kenneth E. Coleman,
Vice President, Southern
Division, Alabama Power
Company; Chairman Larry
D. Puckett, President,
Larry Puckett Chevrolet;
(Standing, L-R) Vice
Chairman Horace H. Horn,
Vice President External
Affairs, PowerSouth Energy
Cooperative; Vice Chairman
C. Lee Ellis, Executive
Vice President Operations,
Alfa Insurance Company;
Immediate Past Chairman
Nimrod T. Frazer, Jr.,
General Manager,
Industrial Partners; Randall
L. George, President of
the Montgomery Area
Chamber of Commerce;
Vice Chairman Shannon G.
Speir, Speir Consulting.
MONTGOMERY AREA CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE 2011 BUSINESS PLAN
Year Five Implementation of the Imagine a Greater Montgomery Strategy
LEADING THE WAY
Imagine a Greater Montgomery Sustaining Founders Council
The Imagine a Greater Montgomery strategy is a bold vision made possible by a dedicated group of leaders who see the
possibilities for a better, more prosperous life for all in Montgomery and the River Region. These public and private sector investors
provide the leadership, commitment and influence required to shape meaningful and measurable economic progress.
LEGACY
SUSTAINING
Regions Bank
The Advertiser Company
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Aronov Realty Management, Inc.
Alabama Gas Corporation
Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc.
The Colonial Company
AT&T Alabama
Jackson Hospital & Clinic, Inc.
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing
Alabama, LLC
Jim Wilson & Associates, LLC
Baptist Health
Rheem Water Heaters
SABIC Innovative Plastics
BBVA Compass Bank
Larry Puckett Chevrolet
Alfa Insurance Companies
Summit America, LLC
Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin,
Portis & Miles, PC
Wells Fargo Bank
The City of Montgomery,
Mayor Todd Strange
The Montgomery County
Commission, Chairman Elton Dean
Alabama Power Company
The Industrial Development Board
of the City of Montgomery
2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kindell C. Anderson
EMERGE
E
MERGE Montgomer
Montgomeryy
Randall L. George
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
Samuel P. Martin
The Advertiser Company, Inc.
T
Anita L. Archie
Business Council of Alabama
Robert E.L. Gilpin
Kaufman Gilpin McKenzie Thomas Weiss, PC
K
H. Greg McClellan
MAX Credit Union
M
Jake F. Aronov
Aronov Realty Management, Inc.
Stephen S. Goldsby
Integrated Computer Solutions
Purser L. McLeod, Jr.
Montgomery Committee of 100
Owen W. Aronov
Aronov Realty Management, Inc.
F. Berry Grant
All Seasons Travel
Al
Samuel Munnerlyn
Trenholm State Technical College
Robin S. Barca
Baptist
aptist Healt
Health
Joe Hampton
Alabama Gas Corporation
Al
Jerry A. Newby
Alfa Insurance Companies
Carl A. Barranco
Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship & Billingsley, PC
W
Richard E. Hanan
Montgomery Water Works & Sewer Board
Brig. Gen. Craig S. Olson
Enterprise Information Systems
E
Carl J. Bartlett, Jr.
Jim Wilson & Associates, LLC
Paul M. Hankins
Alabama Association of
Independent Colleges & Universities
Charles B. Paterson
Balch & Bingham LLP
Jere L. Beasley, Sr.
Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, PC
James E. Buckalew
Alabama Real Estate Holdings/PCH
Al
John A. Caddell
Caddell Construction Company, Inc.
Gregory B. Calhoun
Calhoun Food Supermarket
Lynn M. Carter
Southeast Cherokee Construction, Inc.
Larry F. Chapman
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Kenneth E. Coleman
Alabama
Al
abama Power Compan
Companyy
Eugene C. Crane
Whitney National Bank
W
A. Bruce Crawford
BBVA Compass Bank
Cassandra Crosby-McCullough
Crosby Drinkard Group
R. Guy Davis, Jr.
BB&T
Terry G. Davis
Davis & Hatcher, LLC
Eleanor L. Dawkins
Ross Clayton Funeral Home, Inc.
Elton N. Dean, Sr.
Montgomery County Commission
Martha T. Demere
Entec Stations, Inc.
E
Arthur J. DuCote
Regions Bank
C. Lee Ellis
Alfa Insurance Companies
Tammy Knight Fleming
Knight Fleming & Associates
K
J. Tyler Fondren
AT&T Alabama
Nimrod T. Frazer, Jr.
Industrial Partners, LLC
William H. Harris, Ph.D.
Alabama
Al
abama State Universit
Universityy
Thomas Ashley Harris
Merchant
erchant Capital Investment
Investments
Gary Harrison
Dixie
ixie Electric Cooperativ
Cooperative
Jack Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D.
Troy
T
roy Universit
Universityy
Donald G. Henderson
Jackson Hospital & Clinic, Inc.
Chappell H.L. Hill
Sterne Agee
Horace H. Horn
PowerSouth
P
owerSouth Energy Cooperativ
Cooperativee
W. Daniel Hughes, Jr.
Summit Housing
Lance D. Hunter
Hodges Warehouse + Logistics
Kevin L. Ketzler
Alfa Properties, Inc.
Duk Kim
Lear
ear Corporation-Montgomer
Corporation-Montgomery
Soonhwa (SH) Kim
MOBIS Alabama, LLC
Pete R. Knight, Jr.
Aliant Bank
Al
Jerry C. Kyser
Jerry Kyser Builder, Inc.
E. Kyle Kyser, Jr.
Jerry Kyser Builder, Inc.
Y.D. Lim
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC
H
John W. Livings
Wells Fargo Bank
W
James K. Lowder
The
T
he Colonial Compan
Companyy
B. Saxon Main
Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak, PA
Chester D. Mallory
ongomery Airport Authorit
Authority
Mongomery
Lt. Gen. Allen G. Peck
Maxwell-Gunter
M
axwell-Gunter Air Force Base Air Universit
Universityy
Larry D. Puckett
Larry Puckett Chevrolet
David B. Reed
Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Inc.
Peter A. Reynolds
Rheem
heem Water Heater
Heaters
James H. Sanford
HOME Place Farms, Inc.
Kyle C. Searcy
Fresh
F
resh Anointing House of Worshi
Worship
p
Kenneth D. Selvaggi
WSFA TV
W
Ned F. Sheffield
Jackson Thornton
Shannon G. Speir
Speir
S
peir Consultin
Consultingg
Richard M. Stabler
Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship & Billingsley, PC
W
Mayor Todd Strange
City
ity of Montgomer
Montgomery
James M. Stubbs
River Bank & Trust
Elizabeth S. Sutton, CTC
Alabama World Travel/Sutton & Associates
Al
Percy D. Thomas
Thomas Construction & Masonry Company, Inc.
T
Barbara W. Thompson
Montgomery
ontgomery Public School
Schools
David R. Thrasher, M.D.
Montgomery
ontgomery Pulmonary Consultants, P
PA
Thomas J. Tsekouras
SABIC Innovative Plastics
S
W. Russell Tyner
Baptist
aptist Healt
Health
Craig O. Vinson, Jr.
Granville
ranville Home Furnishing
Furnishings
Olan G.Waldrop, Jr.
Apptis, Inc.
GOALS
YEAR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IMAGINE A GREATER MONTGOMERY STRATEGY
I. Champion Public Education and
Build a Competitive Workforce
6
II. Strengthen the Regional Economy
7
III. Transform Montgomery’s Image
IV. Embrace Diversity and
Enhance Leadership Capacity
V. Strengthen the Chamber
9
0
BUSINESS PLAN
GOAL I: CHAMPION PUBLIC EDUCATION
AND BUILD A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE
Executive Committee Liaison: Lee Ellis, ALFA Insurance Companies
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
CAREER ACADEMIES TASK FORCE
Chairman: Keith Karst, Alabama Power Company
Chairman: Arthur DuCote, Regions Bank
• Support the superintendent and Board of Education as they identify priorities for
• Work with MPS superintendent, senior administration, principals and business
improvement within Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) and serve as a catalyst
to bring collaboration and consolidation around these shared goals
and objectives.
• Reinvigorate stakeholder investment to strengthen business, community and
school partnerships.
• Create advocates for Montgomery Public Schools through outreach efforts that
accurately reflect the accomplishments of public education.
• Work closely with MPS to mature the Career Academy Initiative as the number
one high school reform strategy in our community. The Career Academies
that are established are Information Technology, Health Science, Teaching,
Business/Finance, Hospitality/Tourism, and Law/Public Safety. The Advanced
leaders to continuously improve established Career Academies.
• Work with MPS to develop new Career Academies as market
sectors demand.
• Serve as a resource for curriculum development, resource acquisition,
professional development, credentials/certifications, and marketing.
• Continue to identify and recruit business and education leaders to serve on
Career Academy Councils.
• Work with MPS toward accreditation for Career Academies at the state and
national levels.
• Serve as a clearing house for best practices.
Manufacturing Career Academy will launch in August 2011.
• Lead the Teaching Career Academy through the Year of Planning necessary for
accreditation through the National Academy Foundation.
• Solidify the partnerships between area colleges and universities with
Montgomery Public Schools to offer early college opportunities to high
school students.
• Serve as a strong advocate for “School Choice” that allows students from across
the district to attend the Career Academy of their choice according to assessed
interests and aptitudes.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING TASK FORCE
Chairman: Dr. Le-Quita Booth, Alabama State University
College of Business Administration
• Support MPS to continuously improve and sustain the Leadership
Development Institute.
• Access and coordinate resources available through military partnerships and
senior-level educational institutions to provide exemplary leadership training for
MPS personnel.
• Reduce the dropout rate in the middle schools by providing focused career
awareness and career exploration experiences for students.
• Launch the MPS facilities database, a management tool for school facility
improvement projects.
• Capitalize on the resources and instructors of Montgomery’s institutions of
higher education and Maxwell-Gunter AFB to develop leadership programs for
MIDDLE SCHOOL TASK FORCE
Chairman: Dr. Bruce Murphy, Headquarters, Air University, Maxwell AFB
• Increase access to career exploration and career awareness activities.
• Plan and direct special projects leading to informed career choices by students.
principals, central administration staff and students.
• Serve as a catalyst to engage MPS and the business community in the
development of rigorous Career Technical Education programs that prepare
students to enter the 21st century workforce.
SCHOOL FACILITIES TASK FORCE
Chairman: Tony King, Alabama Power Company
• Organize volunteer groups to improve the campuses of
Montgomery Public Schools by conducting facility improvement projects.
• Identify, categorize and monitor school projects via the SharePoint database.
• Promote facility improvement successes through the media.
• Increase Task Force membership to boost community support.
GOAL II: STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL ECONOMY
Executive Committee Liaison: Shannon Speir, Speir Consulting
THE COMMITTEE OF 100
Chairman: Purser L. McLeod, The Colonial Company
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) FORUM
Chairman: Tom Gwaltney, IT Business Solutions
• Serve as the region’s leading economic development advocacy group for the
recruitment and expansion of industry and corporate locations to the Greater
Montgomery area. The Committee of 100 is composed of prominent and
influential business and community leaders who are selected for membership
by invitation of the committee.
• Utilize the expertise of the local information technology community to prepare
the future workforce for employment in the rapidly changing information
technology environment.
• Host an Annual Economic Summit for Montgomery and the River Region.
• Expand marketing for Chamber-sponsored opportunities for the IT community
to participate in briefings and discussions on the latest industry trends.
• Serve as a conduit for information sharing with the local IT community on major
Chamber, IT, and community initiatives.
Corporate Development Initiatives
• Coordinate prospect development, visitation and follow up.
BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION TASK FORCE
• Coordinate announcements of new business and industry locations
and expansions.
Chairman: Ken Thomas, STERIS Corporation
• Implement a comprehensive marketing program focused on
relationships with in-state resources, out-of-state consultants and
industry media, in addition to the development of collateral and web-based
marketing materials.
• Conduct a comprehensive structured visitation program to educate area
businesses on the incentives and resources available, discover opportunities
and challenges facing area companies, and promote strong relationships with
Chamber investors. This program may include the participation of local and
state elected officials and other appropriate volunteer leadership.
• Manage an extensive buildings-and-site database in addition to the
maintenance of all research and demographic information necessary for
prospect proposals; prepare e-publications detailing statistical trends and
positive outlook of the Montgomery regional business climate.
• Promote the accomplishments of area businesses and inform area leadership
regarding the needs of existing businesses.
• Promote Montgomery area industrial parks and available buildings to
potential clients.
• Foster greater networking among the area manufacturing community.
TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE
Chairman: Robert Gould, Wilson, Price, Barranco, Blankenship & Billingsley
• Develop proactive strategies to support the Career Academies implementation
process and provide direct support in the development of industrial
maintenance and advanced manufacturing curricula for secondary and
post-secondary schools.
• Support the efforts of the Montgomery Airport Authority to:
o
Improve the quantity, quality and reliability of air service into and out of the
Montgomery Regional Airport.
o
Aggressively market and promote the airport to consumers within the target
service area.
o
Establish a commitment to exceptional customer service throughout all
airport operations.
o
Develop a feasibility analysis of air cargo operations.
o
Conduct a feasibility study to investigate the demand for an
intermodal facility.
o
Expand and strengthen water and ground transportation networks for
existing businesses.
HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE
• Partner with Envision 2020 in the development and implementation of a
comprehensive health care strategy for the River Region, focusing on issues
related to physician recruitment.
• Work with area businesses on their expansion opportunities including
introductions to state and local regulatory agencies and access to incentives.
• Continue the MATCH program and inform local manufacturing companies of
statewide closures and layoffs.
• Assist area business with trade opportunities including education and analysis
of our Foreign Trade Zone.
Small Business Advisory Council
Chairman: Pete Knight, Aliant Bank
• Bring together key stakeholders in small business development in order to foster
collaboration and strengthen the region’s support for entrepreneurial growth.
• Provide critical technical assistance through counseling to small businesses
and would-be entrepreneurs.
• Deliver in-depth entrepreneurial training via programs that include
Entrepreneurial University, Business Training Series, webinars, workshops
and seminars.
• Develop an online financial tutorial for entrepreneurs.
• Create a comprehensive web-based learning center for government contracting.
• Update the small business needs assessment in anticipation of new
five-year plan.
• Develop a comprehensive list of regional, state, and national entrepreneurial
financing sources.
BUSINESS PLAN
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER (SBRC)
SBRC Board President: Riley Roby, Balch & Bingham
• Oversee and refine the daily operations of the SBRC, including the business
incubation program.
Military Affairs Support Council
Chairman: Paul Hankins, Alabama Association of
Independent Colleges & Universities
• Implement a marketing plan for the SBRC that highlights its space and
client services.
• Facilitate discussions between key military and River Region leaders to address
important issues that impact the mission and quality of life of our military in the
River Region.
• Put in place a standalone, web-based virtual tour of the SBRC to be used as a
marketing tool on the Chamber/SBRC website, on the SBRC foyer monitor, in
face-to-face presentations and in other marketing initiatives.
• Leverage the Maxwell-Gunter-Montgomery (MGM) Partnership program
to encourage lasting friendships between key community and military
senior leaders.
• Solicit discounted goods and services for Incubation Program and SCORE
clients. Develop a client identification card that will identify qualified clients to
local merchants.
• Advocate for appropriate military construction projects necessary for the growth
and sustainment of Montgomery’s military units.
• Maximize the counseling services of the Entrepreneur in Residence.
• Further the federal acquisition fast-start initiative to expose local business
owners to federal contracting opportunities.
• Create a training series to expose incubated clients and the business
community to traditional and nontraditional lending products.
Minority Business Development Advisory Task Force
Chairman: Thomas McPherson, Employment Dispute Resolution Services
• Continue to diversify the Minority Business Advisory Task Force to be more
reflective of the River Region business community.
• Solicit input from the minority business community on Chamber initiatives that
would be of assistance to them.
• Conduct networking events to promote increased majority-minority business
relationships and partnerships.
• Prepare a Strategic Mission Plan to define specific mission strengths and
weaknesses for all the military missions in the River Region and define the core
strengths that can be potential areas for growth or consolidation.
• Pursue specific mission consolidation initiatives outlined in the Strategic
Mission Plan.
RAPID RESPONSE TASK FORCE
Chairman: Olan Waldrop, Apptis
• Proactively protect, support and expand critical missions of Maxwell-Gunter
AFB, in addition to all Guard, Reserve and other DoD operations in the
Montgomery region.
• Incorporate economic development strategies to expand the footprint of
Maxwell-Gunter to attract additional missions and/or workload.
• Leverage relationships with Congressional and Senior Military leaders to
shape the changing military environment and how it impacts the
Montgomery community.
• Promote Chamber activities and events to minority and female business owners
to expand their business networks and increase their business opportunities.
• Expand marketing of the Point of Light Award to attract a more diverse group
of nominees.
• Increase minority memberships in the Chamber by 7%.
Service Corp of Resource Executives (SCORE),
Alabama Capital City Chapter
President: Rick Williams
Mission: Provide resources and expertise to maximize the success of existing and
emerging small businesses. SCORE mentors offer free, helpful business advice
online and in person.
• Maintain six active counselors in business banking.
• Increase the number of Active SCORE Counselors by 50%.
• Increase face-to-face counseling by 25%.
• Increase overall counseling hours by 15.
River Region Forum
Chairman: Lt. General Allen Peck, Commander, Air University, Maxwell AFB
• Work in partnership with Air University to bring civic, business and elected
leaders together for exposure to the activities and missions of Maxwell-Gunter
AFB and other local DoD operations.
Wright Flyers
Chairman: Joe Andrew, MAX Credit Union
• Function as a liaison and support agency between the local military and
business communities.
• Demonstrate Chamber and community commitment to our Armed Forces
through top-notch events and programs that provide opportunities for critical
interaction between DoD/military personnel and Chamber members.
• Advocate for core mission expansion to sustain growth of the DoD presence in
the Montgomery area.
• Expand Wright Flyer membership to include the entire River Region. (The
Wright Flyers organization is comprised of business and community leaders
who are selected for membership by invitation.)
GOAL III: TRANSFORM MONTGOMERY’S IMAGE
Executive Committee Liaison: Nim Frazer, Industrial Partners
Convention & Visitor Bureau Advisory Council
Chairman: Ken Selvaggi, WSFA TV
• Increase awareness of the tourism and travel industry and its economic and
quality-of-life impact.
• Provide input and support to the CVB’s goal to generate 35,000 room night
bookings in 2011.
• Evaluate effectiveness of the new downtown signage program and recommend
any additions or changes to enhance the tourism experience for visitors.
o
Increase planner site visits and familiarization (FAM) tours for the meetings
market to increase awareness of Montgomery’s product and position the
region as a leading destination.
• Expand on the newly redesigned Montgomery and the River Region Visitor
Guide through increased industry participation, in-room use by area hotels, and
increased distribution.
o
Explore additional meeting markets to expand the sales effort.
• Publish a new event planner as a companion piece to the new Visitor Guide.
o
Expand recruiting efforts through increased sponsorship opportunities at
tradeshows and increase exposure with a more targeted audience.
• Enhance the Montgomery Area Visitor Center through wireless access for
visitors and connectivity to CVB Internet and social media marketing efforts.
• Work in partnership with the City of Montgomery and the Central Alabama
Sports Commission (CASA) to ensure a successful sales and marketing effort
for the multi-purpose sports facility (opening in the summer of 2012). The
CASA is the recruitment vehicle for sporting events operating to enhance
tourism-related revenues for the River Region.
o
Partner with the city and the CASC to host All-Star Sports Week in the
summer of 2011 as it returns to the Capital City.
• Expand internet-based marketing:
o
o
• Support the city’s initiatives in the development of the targeted corridors
including: area beautification, street-scaping, infrastructure upgrades and
improvements, crime prevention, environmental cleanup, and residential and
retail development.
Image Development
Increase the CVB’s social media presence and fan base and develop a social
media campaign to drive traffic to the CVB website.
The Chamber will work through the following initiatives to positively position
Montgomery and the River Region to local, national and international audiences:
Conduct a media familiarization (FAM) trip in an effort to increase
Montgomery’s media exposure and continue Montgomery’s story.
• Continue to engage with local travel and tourism stakeholders with routine
Director of Sales meetings and Tourism Roundtable meetings, which serve as
vital components of the CVB’s marketing and sales recruitment efforts.
• Increase hospitality industry education and awareness of all tourism-related
events and products in Montgomery and the River Region through ongoing
customer service training.
• Act as a catalyst to create new tourism product opportunities.
• Engage in public relations efforts behind major local/statewide initiatives and
position Montgomery as a key component of these programs. Upcoming
initiatives include the 45th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery Voting
Rights March and the 55th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 2011
and the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in 2011.
o
• Assist, support and promote the redevelopment of key corridors and gateways,
particularly along the I-65 Corridor.
Introduce a CVB blog to the website to keep visitors and local industry
partners abreast of current events and tourism news to further enhance the
visitor experience.
• Maintain relationships with local, regional, national, and international trade
media and travel journalists through a proactive media-relations plan with the
distribution of press materials and direct contact.
o
Priority Corridor Development
Initiatives include the Tri-State Civil War Association, which will
commemorate the Civil War in three states: Alabama, Georgia and
Tennessee; and Becoming Alabama, a statewide project commemorating
three historical Alabama events: the Creek Indian War, the Civil Rights
Movement and the Civil War.
• Continue partnerships with hospitality industry leaders and Montgomery Public
School officials to ensure the success of the hospitality and tourism career
academy and expose students to hospitality and culinary arts opportunities,
thus establishing a strong workforce.
• Work in partnership with the City of Montgomery to implement the Capital of
Dreams city branding campaign.
o
Produce a new image film used for marketing and economic
development recruitment.
o
Integrate the Capital of Dreams brand into the Chamber’s economic
development and tourism marketing efforts where applicable.
o
Conduct a public opinion survey measuring quality-of-life satisfaction and
public pride among Montgomery residents. The survey will be used to:
• Measure success of the Capital of Dreams initiative.
• Identify key issues of importance to Montgomery residents and utilize the
branding campaign as a platform to communicate “good news” messages
to the public on those topics.
• Provide valuable input into the Imagine a Greater Montgomery II
strategic plan.
• Implement social media strategies using Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
to expand communications to the Chamber’s diverse audiences, including
members and potential members, the local community, corporate recruiters,
site selectors, business clients, visitors, military and young professionals.
• Ensure that the Chamber website is fresh and vital to the business community,
tourists and visitors, residents of the River Region as well as corporate
recruiters and site selectors around the world.
• Build on the positive response and credibility of the Montgomery Business
Journal to positively position the Montgomery area business community and
promote the new image of Montgomery.
BUSINESS PLAN
GOAL IV: EMBRACE DIVERSITY AND ENHANCE
LEADERSHIP CAPACITY
Executive Committee Liaison: Horace Horn, PowerSouth Energy
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
• Further strengthen the partnership between the Chamber and Leadership
Montgomery to support expanded and sustainable leadership
development initiatives.
• Enhance Leadership Montgomery’s community image through improved
communications about successful programs.
• Devise and implement funding strategies that lead to major Leadership
Montgomery events becoming self-sustaining.
• Continue to strengthen the Leadership Montgomery Legacy Program and
Alumni Association.
• Using class day evaluations, revise and conduct an enhanced third EMERGE
Torchbearers Class program.
• Nurture and further develop the Torchbearers Alumni Association.
• Foster collaboration and trust among area elected officials through
improved communication.
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS TASK FORCE
Chairman: Horace Horn, PowerSouth Energy
• Monitor issues and legislation at the local, state and federal level and make
policy and position recommendations to the Chamber Board of Directors on key
issues impacting Montgomery area businesses.
• Host briefings with local elected officials to inform them of the status of
Chamber initiatives.
• Develop the joint City/County/Chamber federal request.
• Develop a State Issues Legislative agenda.
• Act as a catalyst on key initiatives and infrastructure projects that will expand
the economic development of the region.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS FORUM
Chairman: Robin Barca, Baptist Health
• Enhance the Women in Business Forum through the Athena Awards Program.
DIVERSITY SUMMIT
• Expand professional development, networking and mentoring programs to
engage a broader base of businesswomen.
• Develop and implement the th Annual Diversity Summit to increase
appreciation for the value of diversity to the River Region business community.
• Conduct the Women in Business Forum’s th Annual Gathering to celebrate
accomplishments of professional women in the Montgomery Area.
0
GOAL V: STRENGTHEN
THE CHAMBER
Executive Committee Liaison: Larry Puckett, Larry Puckett Chevrolet
MONTGOMERY AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
DEPARTMENTS & SENIOR STAFF
The Chamber has three physical locations:
IMAGINE A GREATER MONTGOMERY II STEERING COMMITTEE
Chairman: Kenny Coleman, Alabama Power Company
• Shepherd development of the next five-year phase of the Chamber’s economic
development strategy and secure the necessary resources for implementation.
• Evaluate best practices identified in the planning process and conduct an
Inter-City Leadership Visit or mini-visits accordingly.
MAIN CHAMBER OFFICE
COMMERCE STREET, MONTGOMERY AL 60
--00
Executive
RANDALL L. GEORGE, CEcD | President
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ANNA BUCKALEW | Senior Vice President
MEMBERSHIP TASK FORCE
Chairman: Carl Barranco, Wilson, Price, Barranco & Billingsley
• Conduct a Membership Recruitment Campaign with engagement of the Board
of Directors.
• Develop and implement a membership awareness campaign and
membership brand.
CHAMBER AMBASSADORS
• Serve as official hosts for Chamber events and focus on Chamber strategies
that promote networking and relationship building among members.
TOTAL RESOURCE COUNCIL
Chairman: Larry Puckett, Larry Puckett Chevrolet
• Evaluate the 00 Total Resource Campaign and develop new opportunities for
the 0 Campaign.
PAST CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL
• Capitalize on one of the Chamber’s greatest resources, its Past Chairmen.
Hold routine briefings as needed, and utilize the group to assist in special
projects that support the Imagine a Greater Montgomery strategy, as defined
by the Chamber’s Executive Committee.
STAFF TEAM DIVERSITY
Throughout its organization, the Chamber will work to ensure that the professional
staff team reflects the diverse constituencies it serves.
-0-9 | [email protected]
PATSY W. GUY | Vice President, Member & Investor Relations
-0-9 | [email protected]
TINA MCMANAMA | Vice President, Marketing & Communications
-0-99 | [email protected]
PAUL REDHEAD, IOM | Vice President, Administration
-0-96 | [email protected]
Corporate Development & Recruitment
ELLEN G. MCNAIR, CEcD | Senior Vice President,
Corporate Development
-0-90 | [email protected]
THE CHAMBER SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER
600 S. COURT STREET, MONTGOMERY AL 60
--790
DR. CAMERON MARTINDALE | Senior Vice President,
Community Development
-0-999 | [email protected]
HAROLD L. BOONE, SR. | Vice President, Minority Business Development
& Leadership Programs
-6-70 | [email protected]
JOE GREENE | Vice President, Military & Governmental Affairs
-0-99 | [email protected]
DOUGLAS JONES | Vice President, Business Services
Executive Director, The Small Business Resource Center
-0-66 | [email protected]
THE CHAMBER CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU
Union Station
00 Water Street, Montgomery AL 60
Montgomery Visitor Center -6-00
DAWN HATHCOCK | Vice President, Convention & Visitor Bureau
-6-00 | [email protected]
WWW.MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM
MISSION
Committed to exceptional service, the Montgomery Area Chamber
of Commerce works to enhance the economic well-being of the
business community and enhance the quality of life of the area
through the creation and preservation of jobs.
Building Business. Building the
12
River
Region.