Category Archives: Volunteer Spotlight

Ambassador of the Quarter – David Quintanilla, Quint-Essential Tax and Financial Professionals

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Quintanilla_David

David Quintanilla Quint-Essential Tax and Financial Professionals

About the Company: Quint-Essential Tax and Financial Professionals is a family-owned business specializing in taxes, accounting, and financial services. David’s and his wife Debby own and operate the business with an emphasis on their clients’ entire financial situation. The couple takes a holistic approach to managing tax burdens and financial well-being.

About their Service: The North SA Chamber is happy to honor David as the Ambassador of the third quarter. David truly exemplifies the heart of the ambassador program. He continuously offers his time and service to make the newest members of the North Chamber feel celebrated and connected to a greater community. David led a Team of Ambassadors to win “Team of the Quarter” three times in 2012 and then advanced to Co-Chair the following year. David was an exceptional leader as the Chairman of the committee in 2014 and the North Chamber is grateful for his service.

Personally Speaking: David’s first involvement with the North Chamber was back in 2010 when he attended his first Networking Breakfast. He met a woman who was an Ambassador and she convinced him to join the committee. Since then he has also been a member of the Health and Wellness committee and the Government Affairs committee. David says, “Being an Ambassador, allows me to meet other business owners face to face and to interact with them. When this happens, we all benefit and that is what is supposed to happen in any chamber of commerce – we all benefit by our involvement and the North Chamber makes it happen.”

 

Volunteer Spotlight – Enterprising Women’s Conference Chair: Jennifer S. Swisher, SeeKing HR

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Swisher_JenniferJennifer S. Swisher, SPHR
SeeKing Hr

About the Company: SeeKing HR is a certified Small, Woman and Veteran-Owned Human Resources consulting firm.  They offer Employment Services, Employee Development and HR Program Management services.  The Employment Services division focuses on finding winning talent for organizations who wish to outsource strategic recruitment, direct hire placements and temporary staffing needs. Many of the training programs offered through the Employee Development division are designed with core content which is tailored to meet the needs of each client. The third division, HR Program Management encompasses all other human resource related services. The services include, but are not limited to: organizational and individual assessments, strategic planning, compensation strategy, benefit design, employee handbooks, policy development, employee communication plans, affirmative action planning, program documentation and onsite services. Jennifer is the Human Resource Project Director for SeeKing HR.  She develops and maintains excellent client relationships and provides consulting services on a variety of HR related topics.

About the Program: The Enterprising Women’s Conference (EWC) is a full-day leadership and professional development conference that provides a powerful learning environment with informational keynote speakers and breakout sessions and strategic networking opportunities. In partnership with the national ATHENA Foundation, the North Chamber is the exclusive local host organization for the presentation of the ATHENA Leadership Awards® Program that credits rising stars, seasoned professionals and model organizations for achievement, community service and leadership cultivation with the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, ATHENA Leadership Award and ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award.

Personally Speaking: Jennifer has been involved with the North Chamber through SeeKing HR since 2011.  In 2012, Jennifer completed Leadership Lab and almost immediately began volunteering for the North Chamber Golf Committee.  In 2013, Jennifer was the recipient of the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award®.  “Being involved in North Chamber activities and events is very rewarding, both personally and professionally.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet and learn from great leaders in the San Antonio business community.”

Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Lewis, CPS Energy – Social U Chair

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Lewis_Lisa-vLisa Lewis
CPS Energy

About the Company: Lisa Lewis is Vice President of Corporate Communications & Media Relations for CPS Energy, the nation’s largest municipally owned energy utility providing both natural gas and electric service in and around the seventh-largest city in the nation. Lewis joined CPS Energy’s Marketing team in 2001, and manages internal and external communications, corporate responsibility, branding and social media. Before joining CPS Energy, Lisa worked in the advertising industry with service-industry clients from healthcare to transit.

About the Program: The Social Media Committee works to deliver quality instruction in social and digital media marketing for non-profit and corporate marketing/PR tacticians, and small- to mid-sized business owners, executives and managers who utilize social media or are interested in trends and tactics and how they affect profitability. Social U is a social media university for savvy marketers and features instruction, discussion and networking among local thought, strategy and implementation leaders in social and digital media as well as an interactive social media experience on event day.

Personally Speaking: Lisa, who sits on the North SA Chamber board of directors, says, “Social U has created great interaction among communications professionals across our city.” Lisa says she enjoys the discussion at events and committee meetings, “I have the pleasure of working with great communicators: lifelong pros, bright young hotshots, brand experts – among the volunteers and the Chamber staff.” Lisa explains that most marketers are still learning when it comes to digital and social media, and she says, “Social U is a great forum for this type of professional education.”

Ambassador of the Quarter – Joshua Placette, Windstream

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Placette_JoshuaJoshua Aaron Placette
Windstream

About the Company: Windstream, a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company is a leading nationwide provider of advanced network communications. Windstream offers a range of enterprise-class data, voice, network and cloud services to help maintain business performance at peak levels. Joshua is a Business Solutions Consultant, responsible for generating new revenue by selling ground breaking, solution-based services to businesses and organizations in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Specialties include Voice and Data Networks, MPLS VPN, Data Center and Virtualization, Disaster Recovery as well as, equipment solutions ranging from customer premise routers to phone systems and managed services.

About their Service: The North SA Chamber is happy to recognize Joshua as the Ambassador of the second Quarter of 2014. “Joshua’s dedication and enthusiastic personality boosts the excitement of our committee and makes new members feel welcome and eager to get involved,” says Susan Deitiker, Ambassador staff liaison.

Personally Speaking: Joshua has been involved with the North SA Chamber for the last six months. He is a committed Ambassador and strives to do his part in increasing and maintaining membership. “I believe that the North SA Chamber plays a critical role in the economic development of the city of San Antonio,” says Joshua.

Volunteer Spotlight – Infrastructure Committee Chair: Jim Koenig, Jacobs

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Koenig_Jim-150x150About the Company: Jacobs is a multidiscipline architecture/engineering firm with more than 60,000 employees worldwide. The firm’s 65-person San Antonio office provides professional services including Global Building (vertical building), Water Infrastructure Programs (public works projects, environmental services), Transportation Programs (highways, airports, railways), Site Civil (commercial, mixed-use, residential), Urban Design & Planning (master planning, landscape, urban planning), Construction Management and Inspection and Survey. Jim provides business development for the San Antonio office interacting with various public transportation agencies and organizations in the community.

About the Program: This committee reviews transportation and infrastructure planning, construction and maintenance issues, as well as the political and financial issues relating to these improvements. A guest speaker presents on a related topic followed by a report by each public agency present.

Personally Speaking: Jim has been an active North SA Chamber volunteer for over nine years, serving on the board for six years and currently serving as chairman of the Infrastructure Committee . Jim says, “The North SA Chamber is a great venue for business networking and establishing meaningful and long lasting personal business relationships.”

Volunteer Spotlight – Small Business Leaders Awards Chair: Marilyn Hartmann, Security Service Federal Credit Union

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Hartmann_Marilyn-spotlight

Marilyn Hartmann
Security Service Federal Credit Union

About the Company: Security Service Federal Credit Union is a $7 billion credit union, the largest credit union in Texas and the eighth largest in the U.S., with its corporate headquarters located in San Antonio, Texas. Security Service serves more than 900,000 members in Texas, Colorado, Utah and around the world. It has built a reputation of strength, stability and convenience by offering its members financial soundness, unmatched hours of service and competitive financial products and services. Marilyn Hartmann is the assistant vice president of commercial services, responsible for overseeing SSFCU’s commercial loan production in all credit union markets, compliance, and training and mentoring of commercial loan officers. She was previously manager of commercial loan production.

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, veteran owned business, business advocacy, not for profit business and overall achievement.

Personally Speaking: Marilyn has served on the Ambassadors committee for nine years; she has chaired the Small Business Leaders Awards committee since 2012; she chaired the How 2 Series committee in 2011 and 2012; and chaired the Ambassadors committee in 2010. 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.”

Volunteer Spotlight – eTech Newsletter Chair: Meg Grant, Digital Defense

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Grant_megMeg Grant
 Digital Defense

About the Company: Founded in 1999, Digital Defense, Inc. (DDI) is a San Antonio-based firm and leading provider in managed, cloud-based security assessment solutions. DDI helps organizations establish a culture of security through regular security assessments, education and Decisive Security Intelligence. DDI delivers best-in-class managed service with a team of industry experts. As Vice President of Marketing, Meg oversees the company’s marketing initiatives including market analysis, analyst relations, brand development, public relations and e-marketing.

About the Program: The e-Tech Newsletter is a valuable member service that provides thought leadership on timely technology issues, products and services. The newsletter has articles that are relevant to not only the IT Professional, but also to employees across different functional departments. We hope the content assists you and your organization with insightful ways to incorporate best practices surrounding technology.

Personally Speaking: Meg has been involved with the North Chamber for several years, joining the Technology committee in 2011. She says, “The breadth of programs and services the North SA Chamber provides is extremely beneficial to the business community through networking, education and increased awareness of organizations that contribute to the diverse and dynamic community in San Antonio.”

Volunteer Spotlight – Networking Breakfast Chair: Jennifer Krause, eESI

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Jennifer_KrauseJennifer Krause
 eESI

About the Company: eESI (eEmployers Solutions, Inc.) was established in 1999 and is a leading Professional Employer Organization (PEO) based in Texas with a national presence.  eESI partners with businesses by providing HR services and solutions for employee benefits, HR initiatives and management, risk management, payroll administration and technology advantages. Jennifer is a well-versed Human Resources Manager responsible for all facets of human resources. She leads and develops a client-focused team that works collaboratively to ensure an exceptional client experience.

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: Jennifer is a graduate of the 2013 Leadership Lab class.  She believes the North SA Chamber provides an avenue to connect with business owners, executives and professionals, provides professional and personal growth opportunities, and the ability to be involved and give back to the community. Jennifer says the Networking Breakfast is the perfect avenue to get to know your business neighbors. “By getting to know your neighbors and building these relationships, everyone builds their business. It is a win-win,” says Jennifer.

Volunteer Spotlight – Sustainability Chair: John Facey, UTSA Institute for Economic Development

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Facey_JohnJohn Facey
UTSA Institute for Economic Development

About the Company: The University of Texas Institute for Economic Development assists communities and businesses from conception to startup and expansion with a broad array of advising and research services. These services are provided by 11 centers of excellence located at UTSA’s downtown campus. The Institute’s services have an international reach, but are most heavily focused upon national, regional and local communities and businesses.

About the Program: The SustainAbility conference is designed to work with the business community to preserve the future by focusing on commercial and practical sustainability awareness and 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: UTSA has been a Chamber member for many years. John has been on the SustainAbility committee since 2011 and served as co-chair and chair. John says the committee’s programming adopts a very pragmatic approach in presenting sustainability topics to the business community with the key theme being the many ways sustainability can improve the bottom line of a business.

Volunteer Spotlight – How 2 Series Chair: David Rodriguez, Generations Federal Credit Union

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Rodriguez_David_articleDavid Rodriguez
Generations Federal Credit Union

About the Company: For nearly 75 years, Generations FCU has been an advocate of financial growth and development within the community, offering award-winning financial education classes, as well as products and services that truly make a difference.  Generations strives to be a trusted advisor, offering personal attention that provides members with the financial skills they need to be successful.  Their tailored approach to banking enables them to deliver personalized service for both businesses and consumers.

About the Program: The North SA Chamber is committed to small business development and has designed this series specifically to offer big ideas for small businesses. The How 2 Series offers information to help businesses improve every aspect of their business with practical operational knowledge – Check the North SA Chamber Calendar of Events to see the most recent topic for the series.

Personally Speaking:  As the Financial Education Manager for Generations, David oversees the ideation and development of small business workshops that cover critical topics such as human resources, marketing, lending, financials and logistics.  Recently appointed as the How-To-Series Committee Chair, David understands the impact the Chamber and the Series can have for small business owners, enabling them to thrive, succeed and shape our economy.