- Wade Cleary
- Cleary Zimmermann Engineers
- Council Chair
Wade Cleary is managing principal of Cleary Zimmermann Engineers and is responsible for directing the operational resources and marketing functions of the firm. In the roles of principal-in-charge and project manager, he has provided mechanical engineering design for a wide variety of project types, both ground-up and renovations. He is proficient in computer modeling of building systems and life-cycle cost comparison techniques. Wade earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1994; is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Louisiana and Kansas; and is a LEED® Accredited Professional.
Over the course of his career, Wade has served as a model to his fellow engineering colleagues and has become a respected leader within the engineering community. He earned professional recognition as a 2004 “40 Under 40 Rising Star” by the San Antonio Business Journal.
Wade is active in his local community. He serves on the board of directors for the Northside Education Foundation, and sits on his church’s building committee. He has also served as a volunteer fire fighter, a little league coach and president of the Pinnacle Property Owners Association.
Business Connection
- Christopher Viltz
- Keller Williams Realty
- Consultant & Trainer
Cocktails & Connections
- Melissa Kim
- Holiday Inn North Country - Stone Oak
About the Company: The new Holiday Inn North Hill Country is located in the upscale Stone Oak area. All 111-guest rooms include a 32” flat screen television, mini refrigerator, microwave, free HSIA and an in room safe. Over 2,200-sf of meeting space is available for corporate and social events. Melissa Kim is responsible for proposals and contracts, coordinating groups and meetings, and setting up all special negotiated company rates.
About the Program: Cocktails & Connections events are evening networking receptions that provide chamber members the opportunity to develop new relationships and promote their companies. This program offers attendees a networking opportunity in a relaxed environment at the end of the workday.
Personally Speaking: Melissa has been a North Chamber member now for more than two years. As an Ambassador, she has volunteered at several North Chamber events and is a team captain who’s earned top team achievement three times. Melissa says, “The North Chamber is a great resource for networking and marketing your business if you initiate your involvement.”
Networking Breakfast
- Gail Jaszcz
- Spectrum Association Management
About the Company: Spectrum Association Management is a full service Homeowners Association (HOA) management company specializing in the management of single family residential and condominium/townhome communities. Spectrum has offices in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Austin and Laredo. Gail is the company’s Director of Business Development.
About the Program: The Networking Breakfast is the city's original and largest networking event. Hosting nearly 100 attendees on the second Tuesday of every month, the breakfast promotes networking and member visibility by offering attendees the chance to introduce themselves and be a featured speaker at an upcoming breakfast.
Personally Speaking: Gail has been involved with the North Chamber for about two years. She participates in a Business Leaders Circle and is also an Ambassador welcoming members at ribbon cuttings and chamber luncheons. Gail says, “The North Chamber plays a significant role in the community by providing support, education, networking opportunities and business development to both large and small companies.”
Small Business Leaders Awards (SBLA)
- Marilynn Hartmann
- Security Service Federal Credit Union
About the Company: Founded in 1956, Security Service Federal Credit Union has 36 branches in San Antonio, South Texas and El Paso, as well as 19 in Colorado and 14 in Utah. Security Service has more than 840,000 members and assets of $6 billion. It is Texas' largest credit union and the eighth-largest credit union in the country. As Senior Commercial Loan Officer, Marilyn handles all aspects of commercial lending for the credit union.
About the Program: The SBLA program recognizes the very best of our community’s business leaders. Qualifying nominees must have less than 100 employees to be considered and awards are presented in a number of categories including new business, community service, employee relations, business innovation, career achievement, business achievement and overall achievement.
Personally Speaking: Marilyn has served on the Ambassadors committee for seven years, she Chaired the How 2 Series committee in 2011, she served on the Gala committee, and Marilyn was named the Ambassador of the Year in 2006, 2007 and 2008. She says, “The chamber offers tremendous networking opportunities and direct benefits from being actively involved. This is where I have chosen to focus the majority of my business-related volunteer hours on an ongoing basis.”
Small Business How 2 Series
- Tom Hansis
- UTSA Small Business Development Center Network
About the Company: Entrepreneurs have access to professional and confidential business advising, a variety of quality training programs, and an extensive referral network at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). As a Senior Business Advisor, Tom Hansis assists his clients with all aspects of starting or growing a small business. He also helps his clients with business plans, market analysis and sales strategies. His areas of expertise include budget projections, QuickBooks©, daycare businesses and fitness centers.
About the Program: The North Chamber is committed to small business development and has designed this series specifically for small businesses on the road to economic recovery. The How 2 Series offers information to help businesses diversify, identify and develop new lines of business while offering practical knowledge to improve every aspect of their business.
Personally Speaking: Tom has been active in the North Chamber since 1996. Recently, his activities have included team co-captain of the Ambassadors. Tom says, “The chamber plays an active role in promoting small businesses. Small business owners get as much out of the Chamber as they put in.”
Sustainability Series
- Stephanie Chandler
- Jackson Walker LLP
About the Company: Jackson Walker is a full-service law firm supporting local businesses in achieving their goals. Their San Antonio office has experience in corporate, labor and employment, real estate, energy, banking and finance, intellectual property, bankruptcy and collections, international relationships and litigation. Stephanie is a Partner in the Corporate section, assisting clients from start-up through exit, supporting their negotiation of key customer relationships and strategic partnerships, acquisitions and securities offerings.
About the Program: The SustainAbility program is a three-part series designed to work with the business community to preserve the future by focusing on commercial and practical sustainability programs that can be implemented in businesses. Proceeds from this series benefit Lead SA, the North Chamber’s 501 (c)(3) organization that serves to promote educational, career and professional development in San Antonio.
Personally Speaking: Jackson Walker has been a Chamber member for more than a decade and was the first organization with which Stephanie engaged upon arrival in San Antonio. She has held leadership roles with the Technology Summit and the Trilateral Summit, and serves on the North Chamber board of directors. “The Chamber equips businesses in our community to succeed,” says Stephanie.
Small Business Council
FOCUS: The mission of the Small Business Council is to serve the needs of the small business owner by providing a forum to address entrepreneurial issues. This Council provides networking, recognition programs, business showcase opportunities and topical speakers.
NETWORK after hours in a casual, relaxed atmosphere at quarterly Cocktails & Connections receptions. Event Chair: Melissa Kim
MEET people at the Networking Breakfast, the city's original and largest networking event hosting more than 100 attendees who introduce themselves and have the opportunity to be a featured speaker. Event Chair: Gail Jaszcz
DISCOVER ways to diversify and identify new lines of business at each of four quarterly programs in the Small Business How 2 Series, with topics that include achieving certification, doing business with public entities and accessing financing. Event Chair: Tom Hansis
RECOGNIZE business leaders for their achievements at the Small Business Leaders Awards (SBLA), honoring entrepreneurs in a variety of categories such as Community Service, Employee Relations, Career Achievement and Small Business Leader of the Year. SBLA Nomination/Application Form; SBLA Recipients; Event Chair: Marilyn Hartmann
GAIN insight on sustainable savings, energy tax credits and programs available to businesses at SustainAbility, the four-part educational series that is focused on working with business to preserve our future. Program Chair: Stephanie Chandler
