Tag Archives: Word from the Chairman

November Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRAdvocacy Alert: Proposition 1 Passes – Increased Funding for Transportation
The North San Antonio Chamber board of directors endorsed Proposition 1 – the constitutional amendment to provide for the transfer of certain general revenue to the economic stabilization and state highway funds, and we are so pleased that citizens turned out to vote for and pass this amendment on Election Day. A strong transportation infrastructure is fundamental to Texas’ quality of life and economic vitality, attracting new businesses and generating new jobs. Proposition 1 ensures the dedication of the revenue transferred to the state highway fund to be used only for developing public roads (not toll roads) and that those dedicated funds be allocated by the Texas Department of Transportation in a manner consistent with existing formulas to ensure that the entire state benefits from this additional funding.

Advocacy Alert: Vista Ridge Project Passes – Diversified Water Resource Secured
The North San Antonio Chamber board of directors endorsed the Vista Ridge Water Pipeline Project – a project that will deliver water for 162,000 households, 20% more water for San Antonio and protect the Edwards Aquifer during drought, and we are thrilled that the City Council voted to approve the project. Water is the key to economic development opportunities and quality of life for our city. We thank and applaud all of our community partners for advocating on behalf of this project and City elected officials for having the foresight to secure this vital water resource.

New Benefits Heading Your Way!
As a member of the North San Antonio Chamber, I’m excited to share with you that our chamber will soon offer new resources to help you manage your chamber membership, market your business on the web and monitor online traffic to your content on northsachamber.com.

The North SA Chamber will be converting to a new member software application, Chamber Master – that will enable the chamber to better manage information, involvement and events – while offering you enhanced benefits.

Starting the first week of December, members will enjoy new website features and benefits that will help you: market your business in the Member Directory; add company social media and website links to your online directory listing; promote an event through the Calendar of Events; post RFPs or market your product/service through the MarketSpace online member store; recruit talent through a more robust Job Bank; advertise your product/service through public or member-to-member Hot Deals and much more. Learn more.

Leadership Lab Call for Nominations
It’s that time of year again. The North SA Chamber is seeking a diverse group of bright and dedicated individuals to participate in the 2015 Leadership Lab class. Leadership Lab is the North Chamber’s award-winning leadership academy featuring best-in-class testing, training and relationship building. The series includes interviews and selection in January, an orientation in February, a retreat in March and monthly full-day classes through November, culminating in a graduation ceremony.

As your company is planning for the 2015 training and professional development budget, please consider Leadership Lab as a tool to cultivate your organization’s emerging leaders or to inspire seasoned managers or executives to a higher level of performance and community engagement.

Interested individuals must complete an application and submit it by Friday, December 5, 2014. Applicants will be selected for participation by the Leadership Lab alumni. Leadership Lab Program Brochure / Leadership Lab Application

Annual Gala
On behalf of the board of directors and executive committee, I invite you to join us for the biggest night of the year – the Annual North SA Chamber Gala – Carnival: Rio de Janiero on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the JW Marriott Resort. This event is a spectacular evening of elevated networking, entertainment and recognition as we welcome our incoming chairman, Rob Killen of Kaufman Killen, and the 2015 board of directors.

Be a part of it.
Your North SA Chamber is hard at work with member volunteers planning and producing 2015 programming that is essential to helping your businesses. On behalf of our staff and volunteer corps, I invite you to join a committee to take advantage of the connection opportunities your Chamber provides. You can learn more about various Participation Opportunities and upcoming Events online, or call the North SA Chamber at (210) 344-4848.

October Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRAs a member of the North San Antonio Chamber, I’m excited to share with you that our chamber will soon offer new resources to help you manage your chamber membership, market your business on the web and monitor online traffic to your content on northsachamber.com.

The North SA Chamber will be converting to a new member software application, Chamber Master – that will enable the chamber to better manage information, involvement and events – while offering you enhanced benefits.

Starting the first week of December, members will enjoy new website features and benefits that will help you: market your business in the Member Directory; add company social media and website links to your online directory listing; promote an event through the Member Calendar of Events; post RFPs or market your product/service through the MarketSpace online member store; recruit talent through a more robust Job Bank; advertise your product/service through public or member-to-member Hot Deals and much more. Learn more.

ATHENA Leadership Awards
Perhaps one of my favorite events is the Enterprising Women’s Conference – this year celebrating 25 years of leadership and professional development designed just for women and featuring the presentation of the ATHENA Leadership Awards®. About 200 women attended the all-day conference and enjoyed a keynote address by San Antonio’s Poet Laureate Dr. Carmen Tafolla, networking and shopping among 40 exhibitors. More than 400 guests attended the luncheon program. The ATHENA Young Leadership Award® was presented to Irene Maldonado with the University Health System. The ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award® was presented to Stephanie Chandler, Lauren Cimenello, Julia Mann and Elena Villaseñor Sullivan of Jackson Walker LLP. The ATHENA Leadership Award® was presented to Elizabeth Copeland with Strasburger & Price, LLP. Please join me in congratulating each of these deserving organizations, young and seasoned leaders for their professional accomplishment, community service and advancement of leadership opportunity for women.

To all who nominated an organization or an individual – thank you for taking the time to help recognize those who are making a difference in our community. As we plan for awards programs in 2015, please consider a supplier, customer or colleague who is worthy of an award nomination next year and look for nomination forms online later this year.

Leadership Lab Call for Nominations
It’s that time of year again. The North SA Chamber is seeking a diverse group of bright and dedicated individuals to participate in the 2015 Leadership Lab class. Leadership Lab is the North Chamber’s award-winning leadership academy featuring best-in-class testing, training and relationship building. The series includes interviews and selection in January, an orientation in February, a retreat in March and monthly full-day classes through November, culminating in a November graduation ceremony.

As your company is planning for the 2015 training and professional development budget, please consider Leadership Lab as a tool to cultivate your organization’s emerging leaders or to inspire seasoned managers or executives to a higher level of performance and community engagement.

Interested individuals must complete an application and submit it by Monday, December 1, 2014. Applicants will be selected for participation by the Leadership Lab alumni. Leadership Lab Program Brochure / Leadership Lab Application

Annual Gala
On behalf of the board of directors and executive committee, I invite you to join us for the biggest night of the year – the Annual Gala on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the JW Marriott Resort. This event is a spectacular evening of elevated networking, entertainment and recognition as we welcome our incoming chairman, Rob Killen of Kaufman Killen, the 2015 board of directors, and honor our 2015 San Antonian award recipient, Dr. Ricardo Romo of The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Advocacy Alert: Support for Constitutional Amendment for Increased Funding for Transportation
A strong transportation infrastructure is fundamental to Texas’ quality of life and economic vitality, attracting new businesses and generating new jobs. According to the latest report of the 2030 Commission, approximately $6.1 billion per year in construction funding is needed to achieve “worst possible” transportation conditions and $9.5 billion per year is need to achieve “minimally competitive” transportation conditions.

Thus, the North San Antonio Chamber board of directors supports the proposed constitutional amendment to provide for the transfer of certain general revenue to the economic stabilization and state highway funds, and for the dedication of the revenue transferred to the state highway fund to be used only for developing public roads (not toll roads) and that those dedicated funds be allocated by the Texas Department of Transportation in a manner consistent with existing formulas to ensure that the entire state benefits from this additional funding. Whereas the proposed amendment would not fund fully the state’s overall transportation needs, it would be a key step toward securing critical funding for transportation projects in Texas. The proposed amendment will be on the November 4, 2014 ballot and we encourage you to vote in favor of the amendment that increases funding for transportation. Help to keep Texas moving!

Be a part of it.
Your North SA Chamber is hard at work with member volunteers planning and producing top quality professional development programming to help your business. On behalf of our staff and volunteer corps, I invite you to join a committee or attend an event to take advantage of the services your Chamber provides. You can learn more about various Participation Opportunities and upcoming Events online, or call the North SA Chamber at (210) 344-4848.

February 2013 Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe have just come off the heels of a wonderful Annual Gala – A Night in Monte Carlo, and I was humbled by the opportunity to be among the businesses and leaders who came together to celebrate past success and to look ahead at our future plans for strengthening our community. There are so many generous companies and hard-working volunteers who contributed resources and time to make the night a success. Please join me in thanking our VIP Sponsors: AT&T Mobility, Corporate Travel Planners, eESI, Frost, McCombs Enterprises, Security Service Federal Credit Union, SWBC, USAA Real Estate Company and Texas Capital Bank; as well as all of the event sponsors, North Chamber staff, creative and sales team volunteers and the Dahill team for their support of the evening.

Additionally, I know we all enjoyed the casino gaming benefiting the wounded warriors and the North Chamber’s educational non-profit, Lead SA. It was an incredible honor to host and recognize the wounded warriors. We’re pleased to be able to support them, and I know that each of you will continue to honor the men and women serving in our armed forces.

Buy Local. Buy North Chamber.
It doesn’t go without saying – 2013 is the year to Buy local. Buy North Chamber. Each of our companies has to purchase to run our businesses. I challenge each of you to take the first step by making a list of your top five or ten purchasing needs and look from within the North Chamber membership to fill that need. You can begin your search by going online to northsachamber.com and clicking on the FIND A MEMBER tab to search the North Chamber’s online membership directory. Additionally, think about the folks you’ve met at North Chamber events or serving on chamber committees that may offer a service or product you’re seeking. And if you require more specialized assistance, just call the North Chamber to obtain a referral or a list of providers for a specific business category.

Go online. Get connected.
Whether you’ve entered or mastered the digital arena or not, there is no arguing that we are indeed operating in the digital age. It can be a little scary for some of us, but all sizes and types of businesses are using technology, web, email and perhaps social and mobile media at some level to operate and/or market their businesses.

There’s never a better time than now to get educated, go online and get connected. To seize the moment, take advantage of high quality low cost instruction at the Small Business How 2 Series. On Tuesday, March 19, you can learn How 2 set social media policy for your organization, and thereafter learn how to create and share content on the top social networks and how to integrate your digital media.

Furthermore, please take advantage of the digital marketing tools the North Chamber has provided our members. First, I hope you’ll join me and Dahill in “liking” and “following” the North SA Chamber on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter – where the North Chamber will help your company fan-build and increase visibility by posting member company news and “sharing” and “re-tweeting” member social content.

Visit the Marketing Toolkit to learn how to submit company news, add a coupon to your directory listing and enhance your directory listing with a color logo, detailed company description and social media links.

Building Leaders
At Dahill, we were proud to sponsor the February 13 kick-off breakfast welcoming the 84-member Leadership Lab Class of 2013! Special thanks to our 2012 North Chamber chairman of the board Larry Anthis, Frost; 2014 chair-elect, Clay Jett, Texas Capital Bank; and Leadership & Professional Development Council Chair, Annie Turner, Wells Fargo, for attending and providing remarks to inspire the Lab class to discover, be inspired and succeed. I also want to recognize the Leadership Lab chair, Malcolm McGee, CMIT Solutions, and co-chair Lisa Pinto, SWBC, for their leadership. I know you’ll continue to support these emerging leaders.

Be a part of it.
The North Chamber remains committed to offering topical and timely, quality programs. We do that through partnership with and the participation of our member companies and the individuals within them. The only way your company is going to truly benefit from all the chamber’s offerings is to tap in and connect now. To learn more about what events and committees are awaiting your involvement, go to northsachamber.com and click on Participation Opportunities. Remember, everything we do as companies and individuals is making a difference and helps to keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong!

Chairman’s Vision for 2013

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABrad Rollins
Dahill, President
2013 North Chamber Chairman of the Board

An Ohio native, Brad Rollins relocated to San Antonio in 1999 and has embraced the community, serving professional and charitable organizations including the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, MS Society and many environmental and military causes. While encouraging community involvement throughout his organization, Brad is president of Dahill – one of Texas’ largest office technology providers, and in 2013, he will preside over the North Chamber and Lead SA board of directors serving nearly 1,400 member businesses across Bexar County. Guiding 500 employees in 16 offices in eight Texas cities and New Mexico, Brad fosters a creative environment that empowers employees to share ideas, identify solutions and lead. He says, “I am at home at the North Chamber where I feel that same sense of collaboration and the entrepreneurial spirit.”

A North Chamber member since 2001, Dahill recognized early on the value of the chamber environment and the opportunities it provides members to get involved and build relationships while working together for the good of the business community. “This chamber is much more personal,” says Brad, “We’re really a big chamber with a small town feel to it. When you take the time to be a part of it you can use chamber programs and benefits to build your business.”

In 2013, Brad will lead the North Chamber to concentrate on: encouraging members to do business with each other; emphasizing member benefits and social media; delivering leadership and professional development; and offering topical, timely and quality programs.

Buy Local. Buy North Chamber.
Passionate about bringing members together to do business with one another, Brad says his primary goal for 2013 is to promote a dynamic chamber of commerce. Brad envisions a localized economic recovery generated by and for North Chamber members. Plainly, says Brad, “Each of our member businesses needs to purchase to operate. If each of us commits to review our supplier lists, identify chamber members who meet those needs, and then buy and sell products and services with each other – that could have quite an impact on each of our businesses.”

Looking to capitalize on the North Chamber’s recent entrance into social media, Brad wants to enlist the social network to play a big role in a member-to-member commerce initiative. “Our members are increasingly interested in learning how to market their business with social media. In the New Year, the North Chamber will meet that need with informative instructional series and a ‘buy local, buy from North Chamber members’ initiative,” details Brad.

For a grassroots effort to work, Brad says North Chamber members have to get online, get engaged and use the tools the chamber has provided. “Make 2013 the year you commit to marketing your business through the North Chamber. Enlist your marketing folks to examine the online Marketing Toolkit, and find everything you need to access benefits like online directory search, social media engagement, offering member specials and promoting your business via North Chamber media.”

Leadership & Professional Development
Recognizing that many small to mid-size businesses don’t have access to internal professional development, Brad is dedicated to offering information, training and leadership development that provides professionals the skills they need to move to the next level. “Our business community wants a readied workforce and people who are prepared to lead. The North Chamber delivers a number of programs that do just that.”

Brad says Leadership Lab, the North Chamber’s nine-month leadership cultivation series, is the centerpiece of that effort. “I’ve observed people go through the program, and right away I could see a difference in how our employees perceive themselves. You can’t underestimate the value of feedback from people outside of your organization,” he adds.

Additionally, Brad is a proponent of the Small Business How 2, Sustainability and CFO Breakfast Series. “These programs not only offer small businesses specialized information, but also contribute to businesses’ operations and bottom line when instruction is applied,” he says.

Keeping Bexar County Strong
The North Chamber’s mission is to strengthen San Antonio through the delivery of advocacy, networking, recognition, leadership and professional development programs. “Overall, the North Chamber is committed to ensuring that we offer the most impactful programs,” says Brad. “So the North Chamber remains committed to monitoring government affairs and public policy issues that affect our members, connecting people to people, honoring our community’s leaders and bringing businesses the tools they need to advance,” he adds.

Finally, as a steward of the North Chamber, Brad has assembled a team of seasoned business leaders to guide the North Chamber in 2013. “As we embark on this New Year, I want to thank Larry Anthis and his board for the incredible, active and hands-on leadership in 2012, and I proudly assume the privilege of chairing this great organization,” says Brad. “I invite each of our members to embrace the concept of commerce among us, find an area of interest in the chamber and be a part of it. I want to thank each of our members for all of your support, attendance and volunteerism – and for all that you do to keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong.”

Chairman’s Reflection on 2012

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

by Larry Anthis
2012 North Chamber Chairman of the Board
Vice President, Frost

The North San Antonio Chamber and Lead SA Board of Directors, our supporters, volunteers and Chamber staff have achieved so much in 2012. When I began my chairmanship in January, the primary objectives for the year were: to meet the needs of the millennial generation; emphasize leadership development; maintain high quality programs; reimagine our connectivity to the community; advocate for business; and broaden member participation.

To that end, the board of directors built a strategic plan to anticipate the current and future needs of our membership over the next three to five years. We executed the agenda immediately and made great strides in communications, leadership cultivation, event support and attendance, membership development and advocacy.

Reimaging our connectivity to San Antonio
In an effort to engage our membership more fully, we conducted a survey, and you, our members, noted the positive impact the North Chamber is having  not just on the North side, but also across  San Antonio and Bexar County. In response, we refreshed our brand and re-focused our core emphasis on “Keeping Bexar County Strong.” This continues to be a dynamic and evolving chamber because of our volunteer leadership.

You also communicated the importance of relationship building, advocacy, informational programming, participation and visibility. As a result, the North Chamber revised and expanded membership benefits to reflect the resources our members value most, including: communications, visibility, referrals, discounts/offers and exclusive member programming. The result is a new, multi-platform, digital content marketing program that promotes our members and engagement with the larger community.

Engaging with the community and our members
There are several issues on which to focus as a member – whether it’s small business, technology, sustainability, leadership, finance, government affairs, and get involved on a committee. And, due to a varied and diverse program offering, enriching volunteer opportunities and an emphasis on value-packed membership benefits, we increased our membership by 234 members as of November 2012 while achieving an average membership retention rate of approximately 80%.

Furthermore, recognizing our chamber’s ability to make a difference with our excellent programs, Mayor Alan Baxter of Windcrest and the Windcrest Economic Development Corporation (EDC) approached us to deliver a chamber of commerce experience to the businesses of Windcrest. For the first time, the North Chamber added a regional council in partnership with the City of Windcrest and the Windcrest EDC, and the Windcrest Council was started this year.

Advocating for business
Moreover, we successfully advocated for the North Chamber membership on economic development issues including:

  • my participation at the 2012 White House Business Summit discussions with the Executive Office and Business Forward;
  • board of directors opposition to impromptu zoning changes by the City Council;
  • board of directors endorsement of City Bond Election for transportation infrastructure;
  • board of directors consensus that led to a decision for the North Chamber to support Pre-K 4 SA as a viable solution to the city’s growing need for an educated workforce;
  • my appointment as a 2013 City Commissioner on the Convention & Visitors Bureau through a newly-created appointment for business leadership; and
  • my appointment to the 2013 executive committee for the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation.

Just over a decade ago, the North Chamber launched a Capital Campaign to secure $1 million to build and finance our own office building – a first in a city that hosts multiple chambers of commerce. North Chamber members met the campaign financial goals, and in 2002, the doors opened to the North Chamber’s headquarters. I’m proud to say the North Chamber has been an exceptional financial steward, and this year, we have retired the building debt.

Cultivating and recognizing leaders
Additionally, we have continued our commitment to cultivate our community’s emerging leaders. The Leadership Lab Class of 2012 has expanded to 86 graduates – the largest since the program’s inception in 1999. This program too has been re-envisioned and re-focused on empowering leaders, self-discovery and success.

Furthermore, we have continued to honor leaders at every age and career stage. We began the year recognizing Pat Duncan, USAA Real Estate Company, with the San Antonian Award, and later Charlie Amato and Gary Dudley, SWBC, with the Gov. Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Salute to Excellence Award, while 10 other business leaders were recognized through the Small Business Leaders Awards program and the ATHENA Leadership Awards® program.

Keeping Bexar County Strong
In closing, the North Chamber is successful because of our members and your participation. Our board met monthly and consistently focused on topics that addressed the needs of our members. I salute the North Chamber and Lead SA board of directors, our supporters and volunteers, and the hard-working chamber staff led by Duane Wilson for working tirelessly to fulfill our promise to the community to “keep Bexar County strong.”

Finally, as I depart, our incoming Chairman of the Board Brad Rollins, Dahill, is preparing to lead this great organization in 2013. Brad and Dahill have been wonderful supporters of the North Chamber and the San Antonio community and I know you’ll welcome him and his leadership team. The North Chamber is here to help you be noticed, be heard, be informed and be there as we work to strengthen our community. Please get involved and be a part of it all. Thank you for the privilege and honor of serving as your Chairman.

Word from the Chairman

By North SA Chamber Editor
Posted on by Email to a Friend

After an early banking career in Dallas and more than a decade of service in the ministry, in 2006 Larry Anthis relocated his family to his hometown of San Antonio, re-entered banking and immersed himself in his community – including volunteering for the North Chamber. Today, Larry is a Vice President at Frost developing the Schertz market for the Texasbased bank and will serve as the North Chamber’s 2012 Chairman of the Board.

“At Frost, we hold entrepreneurialism, relationships and community in high regard,” says Larry, “and the North Chamber shares our values to help people build their business while being flexible and nimble to respond to a fluctuating business environment.”

For 38 years, the North Chamber has endeavored to offer an atmosphere of inclusiveness in which any member – regardless of company size or revenue, has access and the ability to make an impact on the community at a micro level. “The North Chamber’s milestones have been achieved by the actions of volunteers who worked together to affect change in the areas of education, infrastructure and quality of life,” says Larry, emphasizing that he will build upon such projects initiated by previous board chairs. “I am a steward of an ongoing legacy to build business and build leaders, but I also feel we are at the top of our game, and I’m challenging our chamber leadership to increase performance and build upon the chamber’s success,” he adds.

At a working retreat last year, the incoming board of directors evaluated the chamber’s values, deliverables and member needs, then developed a few concise objectives to help define the chamber’s course in a more strategic manner.

From the planning session emerged a consensus that the North Chamber consistently advocates for a pro-business agenda and offers a proven array of programs that provide leadership and professional development, networking and recognition for professionals at every age and stage of career development. “Members find a lot of value in our programs, so we won’t change what we deliver. We will continue to listen to our members and ask ourselves, ‘Does this benefit our members? Can we do it in an excellent way?’ And if a program isn’t meeting this criteria, then our members will dictate that we do something else, and that keeps us dynamic,” says Larry.

Furthermore, the board suggested a revised communication strategy in terms of becoming a more virtual chamber in a digital age. This year, the chamber plans to design and build a modernized marketing and communications infrastructure that better facilitates the flow of information between the chamber, its members and the community. “We are reimagining our connectivity to serve multiple audiences who are more reliant on mobile computing devices, smartphones, digital and social media and personalized content that is tailored to their interests,” explains Larry.

Engaging the millennial workforce was also a recognized challenge to member businesses. “Today’s workforce and employers have a unique set of needs and circumstances. In some cases it’s about training young professionals for the workforce and other times it’s training the employers about what Generation Y needs,” says Larry. “Companies are employing these folks and want to keep them retained, and we’re offering solutions among others, like Leadership Lab and the Enterprising Women’s Conference, that help the business community cultivate a more skilled and empowered workforce,” he adds.

The North Chamber understands that small business members require particular focus as they seek resources and value for their organizations, thus will continue to deliver specialized programming like the How 2 instructional seminars and Sustainability Series, as well as financial and technology related programming. “The men and women who put it on the line every day in their businesses are taking the risks to help grow this economy,” says Larry. “They are largely represented within the North Chamber, and in us they have a voice and an advocate.”

Additionally, the North Chamber will work to bolster the return on investment for its members through an individualized effort to get more people involved and engaged via volunteerism. “We know that service hours and financial involvement are the keys to realizing a return on membership investment,” says Larry. As such, the chamber will aim to broaden the depth of member business participation by creating more than one touch point within member organizations, thereby increasing leadership opportunities to more professionals.

Finally, Larry feels that by optimizing the North Chamber’s offerings and operations, it will be positioned to deliver higher value to its membership. “By getting involved, our members use this chamber as a vehicle to work on their business. This is an ideal venue for professionals to demonstrate their expertise, position themselves as an authority in their community, grow their business and even cultivate employees,” says Larry. “I look forward to working with the membership and community to make 2012 a successful year.”