By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
The new year is bringing changes at the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce!
Guest speaker Mary Rynearson, a former Chamber employee who will become the organization’s leader on March 1, talked about them on Jan. 12 at the group’s monthly Hot Topics Business Networking Breakfast.
By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
The new year is bringing changes at the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce!
Guest speaker Mary Rynearson, a former Chamber employee who will become the organization’s leader on March 1, talked about them on Jan. 12 at the group’s monthly Hot Topics Business Networking Breakfast.
Chamber members and guests listened attentively at Mike’s Place in the Alpine Regional Center at 1620 Alpine Blvd. as Rynearson explained the direction the Chamber is taking administratively to add new member benefits and programs.
Current Chamber President/CEO Patricia Cannon told the group she will help with the transition until Rynearson becomes the organization’s official Administrative Supervisor.
“The old titles are going away,” Rynearson said. “We’re going to move forward with flexibility in hours and titles.”
A graduate of the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Rynearson said she wants to be sure Chamber benefits have value for members and works on promoting businesses and organizations.
“We want to work with you,” she said. “We want to be well-rounded and be available.”
Crediting Cannon with some of the new concepts, Rynearson emphasized that the Chamber will do more with what it already offers, such as adding Twitter social media, as well as developing new programs and member/community events.
The Chamber is already working on its annual events and two local school district Career Days for Alpine, Feb. 18, and the Mountain Empire, March 11.
“The most beautiful event that we will host is April 16 . . . ‘Heroes,’” Rynearson said.
She said the Chamber is looking for area law enforcement, firefighters, medical and military personnel to honor at that celebration.
Monthly evening networking mixers, a member-to-member discount program with business leader recognition involving customer satisfaction and other possibilities are also planned.
Excited about the changes, 12-year member Chris Wiley of Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. said the Chamber’s new Alpine Boulevard holiday lighting program during December drew attention and praise.
“People noticed it,” Wiley said. “I think the best thing the Chamber can do is create a better environment.”
