Chamber board candidates announced

The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce board nominations are in as Executive Director Terri Kingery looks to welcome some new members. Chamber members will have until approximately the middle of December to make their selections.

Those running for the board include:

Bill Bridwell, Golden Touch Realty
Bridwell owns and operates Bill Bridwell’s Golden Touch Realty and Developers in Casa Grande. He first opened this business in 1983 and has done business periodically in the Maricopa area since that time. As a member of The Maricopa Chamber of Commerce and a member of The Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce for the last 24 years, Bridwell has served in Casa Grande on the board of directors for the last nine years. His final term on in Casa Grande expires at the end of this year.

Sheriolyn M. Curry-Lasley, Comfort Keepers
For the past six years, Curry-Lasley been the managing director and owner of a Comfort Keepers franchise, headquartered in Chandler. In 2006, she opened a satellite office in Maricopa, joining the Maricopa Chamber in early 2007. As a leading provider of non-medical home care services, their goal is not only to be a first-thought provider for these types of services, but also to educate and support families caring for loved ones in long-term care situations.

Amy Hannon, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee And Smoothies
Hannon has been in the field of advertising, sales and marketing management for more than 19 years, most recently managing the classified advertising department at The Arizona Republic. She has served on the board of directors for The MCClatchy Federal Credit Union for McClatchy Newspaper Corp. Prior to her resignation three weeks ago from The Arizona Republic, she was to be on the board of directors for the Western Regional Classified Newspaper Association, but did not accept the position due to her leaving the industry to open Maui Wowi Hawaiian.

Al Ingersoll, DVD Game Depot
Ingersoll has lived in Hidden Valley for 13 years. He has 30-plus years in business, both retail and wholesale. Business: co-owner DVD Game Depot; Maricopa Chamber of Commerce member. Raised in the Midwest, Ingersoll has been in Arizona since 1975 and has helped to raise 10 nieces and nephews. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, motorcycles. Charities include: Pediatric brain tumor foundation (has supported this since 2004 and this year he is the contact for the Maricopa/Casa Grande area), also supports the Little League, 4-H, Maricopa girls’ high school basketball, several PTO’s, the Stage Coach Days kids parade, local ATA Black belt by sponsoring an underprivileged student and the high school band boosters.

Keith Kirkman, Orbitel Communications
Kirkman is currently the president/CEO of Orbitel Communications and has served in that capacity since August 2005. Throughout his career, Kirkman has served on numerous boards in officer level positions, including the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce in the capacity of president and vice president.

Janice Pratt, Central Arizona College
Pratt has more than 16 years of experience in higher education, business and public administration, small business management, and service leadership. She is currently a board member of the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce. Pratt hopes to continue her work in helping small businesses succeed, promoting tourism and destination development, and expanding access for all Maricopa residents to higher education.

Bill Poulos, Arizona Shuttle Service
His background is in transportation management for more than 20 years. Poulos is the Phoenix operations manager for Arizona Shuttle Service, Maricopa. Since relocating from Massachusetts to Arizona one and a half years ago, Poulos has come to know and appreciate the business community of Maricopa.

Anthony Snider, Wells Fargo Bank
Snider moved to Maricopa in November of 2006 and took a job as branch manager of Wells Fargo Bank in Maricopa. Snider has been with Wells Fargo Bank for more than three years as a personal banker as well as branch manager. Snider is an active participant in Maricopa, serving as president-elect of the local Kiwanis club of Maricopa and a participating member of the newly formed Maricopa Educational Foundation.

Bill Wasowicz, The Wizards of Waz
Wasowicz has served on the current chamber board in the capacity of alternate for the past year. He brings the following experience to the Chamber:

Chair of the current events committee; Homer Chamber of Commerce (over 300 members) – six- year board member and two-year president; Kenai Peninsula Tourism and Marketing Council (over 700 members); three-year board member, president, interim executive director
Alaska Hotel and Motel Association (over 150 members); five-year board member Juneau lobbyist.

“I urge all of you to read the information carefully, attend the mixers and breakfasts to meet these individuals and make a informed decision,” Kingery said. “We are continuing to move forward and 2008 will prove to be another fantastic year for the chamber as well as the City of Maricopa.”

According to Kingery, chamber members will be receiving their ballots in the mail shortly. Each member company will receive one ballot addressed to the primary contact in the chamber’s data base.

Members may return the ballot either by mail or drop off at the chamber office. Voting will close on Dec. 14. The winners will be announced on Dec. 17.

Those winning this election will begin their terms on Jan. 1, 2008. At the first regular board meeting in January, board members in attendance will select officers for 2008. In addition and adhering to the bylaws, an alternate board member will also be appointed.

The newly elected board members will be joining the following individuals as the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2008:

Danielle Casey, City of Maricopa (non-voting)
Mark Molus, 1st Impressions Ink
Vicki Pettes, The Communicator
Veronica Reeves , Wells Fargo Bank
Jake Romero, Chase Bank

Editor’s note: The bio information was supplied by the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce.