VALPO CHAMBER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2009

Pictured left: Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas addressing the 2008
Leadership Academy on leadership in the community

 

 

 

The Valpo Chamber Leadership Academy encourages individuals to be trustees of their community – to work for the common good – and to become a leader for the entire community. The program uniquely focuses on connection and engagement in community service – specifically, leadership roles.

The mission of the Valpo Chamber Leadership Academy is to provide a growing pool of volunteer leaders for current and future civic, charitable, and governmental organizations in Valparaiso.  

The Academy complements other leadership organizations with a focused training on the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective leader in the community; for example, expectations of board service, governance, understanding financial statements, fundraising, ethics, accountability, and time management. However, the Valpo Chamber Leadership Academy is not just about training. At the end of the program, participants are expected to become engaged with community organizations in leadership roles.

Those accepted to the 2009 Leadership Academy are: Thomas Cath, Valparaiso University; Phillip Ciotola, Scannell Wealth Management Group; Sandrah Combs, McDaniel Fire Systems, Inc.; Natalie Conners; Purdue University North Central; Kelli Ellis, Porter County Career and Technical Center; Marsha Eriks, Ivy Tech Community College; Laurie Griffith, United Way of Porter County; Michael Haynes, Rhame & Elwood; Juli Keppen; State Farm Insurance; LaTosha Knight, Housing Opportunities, Inc.; Deeanna Leffert, Home Helpers; Elliott Miller, Porter-Starke Services, Inc.; Kathleen Neary, Valparaiso University; Jennifer Nicksic, Pines Village Retirement Communities; Brandon Rudd, 1st Source Bank; Katherine Sorensen, Porter County Career and Technical Center; Natalie Wargo, DDS, Smiles By Arnold and Associates; Analisa Warring, REGIONAL Federal Credit Union, and Laura Weaver, Purdue University North Central.

The 2009 Valpo Chamber Leadership Academy is sponsored by: Burke Costanza & Cuppy LLP; Purdue University North Central; Sikorski Wealth Management Group; and in-kind sponsor United Way of Porter County.

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VALPO CHAMBER TO HOLD 8th ANNUAL LU-WOW! AUGUST 7
The party like no other! The Valpo Chamber invites you to the largest and most entertaining rooftop party in Porter County!  The 2009 “Lu-Wow! The Great American Cookout!” will be held on Friday, August 7 atop the Porter County Parking Garage, located at the corner of Napoleon and Indiana Streets, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 

This year’s theme will celebrate the traditional American outdoor cookout with an upscale flair.  Food and drinks will be catered by Pikk’s Tavern; live music will be performed by Delta Straight; and, to top off the evening, Bada Boom Pyrotechnics Productions will present a fireworks display sponsored by REGIONAL Federal Credit Union. 

Join the fun!  Tickets are on sale now for this casual party under the stars where members, spouses, friends and the community connect!  Rain or shine; must be 21.  To purchase tickets or to obtain further information, contact the Chamber office at (219) 462-1105. 

Presenting Sponsor: Porter Health System. Featured Sponsors: Centier Bank, Citizens Financial Bank, Harris N.A., NIPSCO, REGIONAL Federal Credit Union. Contributing Sponsors: 1^st Source Bank, Computer Services, Inc., Horizon Bank, The Times. Supporting Sponsors: Martin Binder Jeweler, Peoples Bank, Scannell Wealth Management Group, Valuation Services, LLC. Fireworks Sponsor: REGIONAL Federal Credit Union.
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VALPO CHAMBER PROMOTES GASKELL TO ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
The Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the promotion of Julie Gaskell to Assistant Vice President.

Gaskell, who joined the Valpo Chamber in 1998 as Support Staff/Receptionist, performs numerous administrative duties for both the Chamber and the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation. 

Gaskell graduated from Defiance High School and attended Defiance College, Defiance, Ohio. She moved to Valparaiso in 1993.

“Julie's performance on multiple fronts of the organization has been stellar. She has significantly helped form what the Chamber represents to our membership and the community as a whole,” stated Rex Richards, President of the Valpo Chamber.

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RDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SPEAK AT AUGUST PUBLIC POLICY FORUM
Please join the Valpo Chamber Friday, August 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for the August Public Policy Forum. Held at the Valpo Chamber, 162 W Lincolnway, the forum is free to attend with no reservations required.

Valpo Chamber Public Policy Forum sessions are designed to inform members of important issues within the community. These sessions are great opportunities to interact with state legislators as well as county and city officials.

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VALPO CHAMBER DIRECTORY UPDATES

Have you received the 2009-10 Membership Directory? If you have not, please call the office at (219) 462-1105, or if you're in the neighborhood, stop by 162 W. Lincolnway!

For increased Chamber member business visibility, this member-exclusive publication was mailed to 4,000+ Valparaiso businesses.

Extra books, if needed, are available at the Chamber office.

Beginning this month, in each newsletter, we will have a download available with new members, updated information, and/or corrections.

Download Updates

 

 

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 42nd ANNUAL COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
The Valpo Chamber, City of Valparaiso and Porter County Builders Association hosted the 42nd Annual Community Improvement Awards (CIA) on July 7 at VU's Harre Union.

The award luncheon, sponsored by Porter, honored 16 local businesses for their commitment and investment in Valparaiso.

Businesses awarded were: 1251 Eastport Centre Drive; The Evelyn Bay Coffee Company; Great Lakes Labs; Heinold & Feller Tire & Lawn Equipment; 1555 Lincolnway; Belden Professional Campus; Calvary Church (Facility Expansion); Little U Academy; Peoples Bank; REGIONAL Federal Credit Union; Campbell Center; Valparaiso Downtown Streetscape; Valparaiso Eastgate Reconstruction; Social Security Administration Building; Valparaiso Family YMCA; and the Valparaiso University Harre Union.

These projects join the more than 200 properties that have been recognized since the awards program began. Community Improvement Awards are based on the visual impact of exterior appearance and are judged on the following criteria: enhances the attractiveness of Valparaiso; compatible with the area and environment; creativity/innovation in both design and use of materials; enhances the quality of life and promotes pride in Valparaiso; and makes a commitment to Valparaiso’s future.

Pictured above:
top: Michelle Volk, Great Lakes Labs with Dale Clapp, Citizens Financial Bank
middle: (from left): Stewart McMillan, Task Force Tips; Mark Heckler, Valparaiso University; Jon Schmaltz, Burke Costanza & Cuppy LLP
bottom: Rex Richards, Valpo Chamber and Jon Costas, Mayor of Valparaiso
Pictured below: (back row from left) Jeannine Hornback, Little U Academy; Pete Peuquet, Chester, Inc.; Joe Feller, Heinold & Feller Tire & Lawn Equipment; Lionel Young, Calvary Church; Mark Heckler, Valparaiso University; David Bochnowski, Peoples Bank; Stacia Yoon, YMCA (seated from left) Michelle Volk, Great Lakes Labs; Analisa Warring; REGIONAL Federal Credit Union; Henriett Coletta, Investment Property Advisors; George Uzelac,
Uzelac & Associates, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

photos by Aran Kessler Photo.Imaging

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REGISTRATION FOR CHAMBER NETWORK NIGHT (CNN) STILL AVAILABLE!
The Porter County Chamber Coalition will host its annual CHAMBER NETWORK NIGHT on Thursday, October 22 at the Porter County Expo Center from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  If you’re in business in Porter County, this is where you need to be!

Chamber Network Night is organized by the Porter County Chamber Coalition, which includes the Chesterton/Duneland, Hebron, Kouts, Portage, and Valparaiso Chambers of Commerce. The Times serves as Grand Sponsor.

More than 1,000 professionals are expected to attend this year’s premiere business-to-business networking event showcasing the innovative businesses in Porter County. Over 130 exhibitors will be in one spot to introduce their newest and greatest products and services. Chamber Network Night is dedicated to discovering solutions to business needs, generating high-quality leads, learning from the brightest and networking with the best.

Available again this year are the "Bigger & Better" booths which take the place of four regular sized booths. If your business would be interested in the "Bigger & Better" booths, reserve early, they are going fast!

Following the business-to-business expo, attendees can relax and continue their networking at the Business After Hours, sponsored by Porter, The Times, and Lake Erie Land Co. The Business After Hours will feature food vendors from Porter County and live entertainment.

Advanced booth registration is available. To obtain more information, contact Kurt Gillins, Programs Director, at (219) 462-1105.
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