June Word from the Chairman

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRIn 2014, the North San Antonio Chamber set forth an agenda to focus on veterans, workforce development, small business advancement, the millennial workforce and community collaboration.

Veterans
To date, the North Chamber has launched a 15% membership discount for individual veterans transitioning from the military to civilian workforce and for veteran-owned businesses in appreciation of their selfless service to our country. Do you know a veteran-owned business that could benefit from membership with the North SA Chamber? Please invite a veteran to join you for one of our Networking Breakfasts or Power Lunches and introduce him or her to the advantages of Chamber membership.

Workforce Development
The North SA Chamber offers a number of ways to support our diverse workforce, boost employee qualifications and build leadership and professional skills across member companies. Already we’ve hosted a number of programs on Technology, Finance, Sustainability and more. Coming up are a number of opportunities to share information, get instruction and build skill sets on a range of special interest topics.

Calling all marketers, PR pros, business developers and nonprofit, small business or corporate executives who have an interest in marketing outcomes – the North SA Chamber is hosting the Second Annual Social U conference featuring instruction, discussion and networking among thought, strategy and implementation leaders in social and digital marketing on Thursday, September 4, at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade. The program features keynote general assemblies, workshops and networking and product demos in the Social Lounge exhibit hall. To sponsor the event, register or learn more, please contact the staff liaison Renée Crittenden-Garcia (210)384-7730.

We’ll offer the third How 2 Seminar on Wednesday, September 17, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the Sonterra Country Club. The program will feature speakers and instruction on topics to help improve your company’s operations. Check the Calendar of Events for topic updates.

We’re proud to once again present the annual Enterprising Women’s Conference (EWC) on Friday, September 26, at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade, featuring topical keynote presentations, workshops, exhibitors, networking and the presentation of the ATHENA Awards® Program. Featured speakers include: morning keynote presentation “Diversity in the Generations” by author Dr. Carmen Tafolla; breakout sessions featuring Kay Wakeham – “Emotional Intelligence,” Dr. Cynthia Phelps – “Compassionate Leadership,” Jan Tilley – “5 Secrets to Living Better Longer,” and Helen Hunter – “Spiritual Life.”

We recently completed the call for nominations for the ATHENA Awards, and will present the ATHENA Leadership, ATHENA Young Professional Leadership and ATHENA Organizational Leadership Awards at the EWC luncheon. To sponsor the event, register or learn more, please contact the staff liaison Susan Deitker (210) 384-7727 or visit the online Calendar of Events.

Small Business Advancement
The North Chamber remains committed to recognizing excellence in small business leadership and we’re excited to highlight the finalists and name the award winners for the 2014 Small Business Leaders Awards on Tuesday, July 22, at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade. New this year – we’ll be recognizing a Veteran-Owned business leader and a Non-Profit organization, as well as presenting awards in the following categories: Small Business Leader of the Year, Small Business Advocate of the Year, Career Achievement, Community Service, Business Achievement, Business Innovation, Employee Relations and New Business.

Congratulations to the 2014 Small Business Leaders Awards Finalists!

John Aramendia
Aramendia Plumbing Heating & Air

Mike Behrend, Chris Behrend, Paul Evans
Green Vegetarian Cuisine

Lisa Fullerton
A Novel Idea, LLC dba Auntie Anne’s Hand-Rolled Pretzels and dba Cinnabon

Bryan Guinn
Prism Technologies Group

Doug and Lori Horn
Dough Pizzeria Napoletana, LLC

Gregory Hudson
Genesis Concepts & Consultants

Melissa Killen
Network Alliance, LLC

Yadira Medina-Torres
Stepping Stone Pediatric Feeding and Speech Therapy Clinic

Bede Ramcharan
Indatatech

Manuel Gerardo Rubio
Miracle Body & Paint

Michele Renee Pauli Torres
HFS Company

Helen Trowsdale
AA Care Services

Jennifer Sample
Providence Place

Gloria Canseco
San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic

Jose Sandoval
SandTech Solutions

Community Collaboration
Julián Castro will offer the Mayor’s Vision for San Antonio on Tuesday, August 5, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel. This presentation will be especially exciting as we await Mayor Castro’s confirmation of his recent nomination as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs. This event is a great opportunity to hear what the Mayor has planned for the City’s trajectory in the coming year – and possibly, how San Antonio will play a role on the national scene should the Mayor be sworn-in to assume the HUD cabinet position.

Millennial Workforce, College Student Memberships
We’re proud to announce the addition of college student membership to the North San Antonio Chamber’s community offerings. The college student membership is $75 per student and is a two-year, non-renewing membership. Students must be 18 years or older, enrolled in a four-year university or college, and enrolled in their senior year of coursework.

Through membership with the North SA Chamber, college students will be afforded the opportunity to: meet professional members, get involved in committees, learn about community initiatives, share information, gain personal visibility and develop personal, professional and leadership skills through their involvement. Additionally, student members will be promoted through the Chamber’s online membership directory under the categories of “Student” and “Job Seeker.”

Businesses interested in sponsoring college student members, or students interested in joining individually may learn more by visiting www.northsachamber.com, clicking on the Join Now tab or contacting Samantha Fojtik (210) 384-7726.

April Word from the Chairman

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRAt the beginning of this year, I made a commitment to guide the North SA Chamber to focus on veterans, workforce development, small business advancement, the millennial workforce and community collaboration to promote our mission to strengthen member businesses and the community through the delivery of advocacy, networking, recognition, leadership and professional development programs.

Veterans
To date, the North SA Chamber has approved and extended a 15% discount to Veteran-owned businesses as a way to assist veterans transitioning from the military to civilian workforce. The discount is effective immediately for veteran-owned businesses who are new members joining the chamber.

Additionally, we just completed the call for nominations for the Small Business Leaders Awards (SBLA) program, and new this year – we’ll be recognizing a Veteran-Owned business leader and a Non-Profit organization, as well as present awards in the following categories: Small Business Leader of the Year, Small Business Advocate of the Year, Career Achievement, Community Service, Business Achievement, Business Innovation, Employee Relations and New Business. Stay tuned to learn who the finalists will be.

Workforce Development, Small Business Advancement
Through our programming, the North SA Chamber strives to meet the needs of businesses for a readied workforce and ongoing professional development. We know you’re looking for quality continuing education for your team and qualified applicants.

Recognizing the growing time scarcity among busy professionals, the North SA Chamber has explored online training offerings to provide a more vast range of course topics and to accommodate members’ busy schedules. We’re excited to announce, through a partnership with online training provider Coggno, the delivery of a comprehensive Training Online Shop featuring thousands of courses covering a range of subjects from human resources and safety to business and sales. As part of the launch, the North SA Chamber is offering each member company one free online class, as well as a webinar on Tuesday, May 6, at 11:30 a.m. to learn more about utilizing the Training Online Shop. For more details, please see the complete article in the Special Alert section of this issue of the eNews.

Additionally, at no additional cost – member businesses may post job openings to the online Job Bank, and the online search tool is a free community resource to job seekers. We have been promoting the Job Bank this year to veterans, transitioning professionals, college students and recent grads through the North SA Chamber website, eNews and social media, as well as at trade shows throughout the year to assist you in accessing a larger pool of applicants. Remember – the online tool is as valuable as the content in it, so please post career opportunities at your company. Click here for member login access and instructions for posting jobs.

Moreover, we want to help veterans, millennial workers and just about every professional in any interest area to access resources to sharpen their professional skills and build relationships through our various instructional and networking events and volunteer opportunities. I encourage each of you to review the various North SA Chamber Participation Opportunities and find a committee on which you can serve and make an impact.

Community Collaboration
The North SA Chamber has been working with members and community partners to develop, present and review issues that affect our members’ profitability and overall quality of life.

Already this year, we participated in the SA Conversations series in collaboration with the San Antonio, South and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce to host special guests U.S. Representative Paul Ryan and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio along with moderator Evan Smith, Editor in Chief of the Texas Tribune.

SA Conversations is a series of discussions for the business community to hear from elected officials – beyond the Texas Delegation – who serve in critical roles in commerce, transportation, entrepreneurship and other areas for the purpose of addressing the critical issues that affect enterprise.

We’re very excited to partner with these organizations once again to host a very special guest – the U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner on Monday, May 12, at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Click here for more information or to register.

Recognition
One of the most rewarding aspects of my Chamber service is the recognition of what small business owners – particularly women business owners – have done in our community. We are now seeking applications for the ATHENA Leadership Awards® Program.

The North SA Chamber is an ATHENA International Founding Lifetime Memberandthe exclusive, local host organization – in partnership with the National ATHENA Foundation, for the presentation of the prestigious ATHENA Leadership Awards® Program which honors rising stars, seasoned professionals and model organizations with the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award, ATHENA Leadership Award and ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award.

Nominations are solicited and an ATHENA sculpture is awarded to local leaders and a business/organization who meet specific criteria at the annual Enterprising Women’s Conference – this year scheduled for Friday, September 26. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Awards® Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.

Please help us to recognize local leaders by nominating a deserving individual or organization and encourage him/her to submit a completed application by Friday, June 6. Download nomination forms here.

40 Years of Keeping Bexar County Strong
I appreciate your membership, participation and volunteerism with the North San Antonio Chamber and invite you to join a committee, attend an event or just follow us in our social media communities. We’re a 40-year-strong, vibrant business network thanks to you, your membership and all that you do keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong.

February 2014 Word from the Chairman

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Annie Turner, Wells Fargo
2014 Chairman of the Board

Well the North San Antonio Chamber’s 40th Anniversary year is off to a wonderful start, and I want to thank all of our members, supporters and friends who joined us to mark the milestone at the 40th Annual Gala: Bailando España on February 1 at the JW Marriott. It was indeed a night of recognition, camaraderie and entertainment as I laid out the North Chamber’s goals to include a focus on veterans, workforce development, small business advancement, the millennial workforce and community collaboration. View the Chairman’s Vision for 2014

First, I’d like to thank our outgoing Chairman of the Board, Brad Rollins, President of Dahill, for his incredible leadership and years of support and stewardship of the North SA Chamber. Brad worked throughout 2013 to: encourage members to do business with one another; advance our leadership academy, Leadership Lab; promote social and digital marketing to elevate member visibility; and to advocate on behalf of our member businesses. View the Chairman’s Reflection on 2013

Moreover, programs like the Gala don’t just happen without our wonderful staff, volunteers and corporate support. I offer my thanks to North Chamber staff liaisons Chris Bugg and Wendy Thomas, and the entire Creative and Sales Teams for their attention to every detail. I know you’ll join me in thanking our top sponsors at Corporate Travel Planners, Dahill, eESI, Frost, Kaufman & Killen, Inc., Network Alliance, Security Service Federal Credit Union and Wells Fargo for their legacy of support.

Additionally, the Gala program included the presentation of the San Antonian Award to Security Service Chief Executive Officer, David Reynolds. Reynolds accepted the 2014 San Antonian Award, which is reserved for individuals whose business achievements, charitable and civic contributions transcend his or her industry, career and immediate community. The San Antonian honoree is the preeminent example of personal contribution of time, talent and treasure to one’s community.

Reynolds was recognized for his transformational leadership of the credit union and accomplishments including: a continued commitment to military service members; credit union expansion to include a diverse membership throughout the southwestern United States; record capital growth; and fostering a spirit of service across credit union employees in Texas, Colorado and Utah. Additionally, through Reynolds’ service on a number of industry and community boards, he has worked to improve the industry, quality of life in San Antonio and to advance higher education. I wish him well upon his retirement from the credit union in March, 2014. View the San Antonian Award Honoree video

Focus Issues & Volunteer Leadership
Furthermore, we inducted the 50-member 2014 North Chamber Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and the 24-member 2014 Lead SA Board of Directors. Directors offer financial oversight, programming strategy and monitor policy affecting your businesses, as well as financial leadership for our various events and programs. I want to recognize and thank the 2015 Chair-elect, Rob Killen of Kaufman & Killen, and all of the directors for assuming the responsibility of governance. I look forward to working with each of them.

Also, the North Chamber is proud to have the service of more than 20 event chairs and hundreds of volunteers who work on a number of event planning committees. You can learn more about each of our Focus Issue and Volunteers Leaders on the North SA Chamber website and how you can get involved on a committee that meets your interest area. Participation Opportunities

Be a part of it.
Over the last 40 years, the North SA Chamber has endeavored to keep San Antonio and Bexar County strong by advocating for business and education, recognizing deserving leaders, providing professional development and delivering opportunities to make results-oriented business-to-business connections.

I invite each of you to be a part of our 40-year legacy and join us in our efforts. We need your involvement more than ever. Thank you to our board, volunteers and members for all you do, and I look forward to working with you. View the 40th Annual Gala photo gallery

Chairman’s Vision for 2014

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRAnnie Turner
VP/Business Banking Manager, Wells Fargo
2014 Chairman of the Board, North SA Chamber

Annie Turner was born and raised in Laredo, Texas and was one of eight children. She attended Baylor University where she earned a degree in journalism, and one summer thereafter started working at what she thought would be a temporary job as a teller at Wells Fargo Bank.

Early in her banking career, Annie was offered a role to profile prospective borrowers and prepare loan packages to present for approval. Having an appreciation for small business – her mother a pharmacist and entrepreneur, Annie melded her knowledge of small business and journalism skills to help borrowers build persuasive, informative presentations to get loans and access capital to help grow their small businesses. She stayed on that track throughout her career, and Annie has progressed with Wells Fargo as a manager of lenders assisting small businesses for over 33 years.

She and her husband relocated to San Antonio 15 years ago to raise their family in Boerne. Annie’s management role at Wells Fargo provided her the opportunity to volunteer, and so began her service with Chambers. She served on the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber board for five years, and then transitioned to service on the North SA Chamber board.

Annie says, “The most rewarding part of my Chamber service is the recognition of what small business owners – particularly women business owners – have done in our community.”

Her mother was widowed when Annie was a teenager, and was the sole provider for eight children – of which six were under the age of 16. “I grew up with seven siblings and all of them are professionals. Four are physicians, two are nurses and I am a banker. So education is really important in my family, and I am especially passionate about leadership and helping others along to success and personal and professional growth,” Annie explains.

40 Years of Keeping Bexar County Strong
Now in her sixth year of board service to the North SA Chamber and during the organization’s 40th Anniversary, Annie has demonstrated that commitment through her Chairmanship of the Leadership & Professional Development Council, overseeing the Enterprising Women’s Conference and Leadership Lab programs, and now through her role as the 2014 Chairman of the Board – and as only the seventh woman in 40 years to lead the 1,300-member strong organization.

In 2014, Annie will guide the North SA Chamber to focus on veterans, workforce development, small business advancement, the millennial workforce and community collaboration to promote our mission to strengthen member businesses and the community through the delivery of advocacy, networking, recognition, leadership and professional development programs.

Heeding the Call to Support Veterans
In 2013, the North SA Chamber and our nonprofit arm, Lead SA, recognized USAA chief executive Maj. Gen. Joe Robles, USA Ret. with the Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr. Salute to Excellence Award. In his acceptance remarks, Gen. Robles said, “You gave me an award, and I’m giving you a challenge.” Gen. Robles appealed to the business community to hire veterans and help them transition from military life to the civilian workforce, and the North SA Chamber is heeding the call.

“This is ‘Military City,’ we should be doing more to offer resources for this segment of our workforce,” says Annie.

The North SA Chamber’s first response is to offer a discounted level of membership for individual and retired veterans, and veteran-owned businesses.

“We have already noted an influx in veteran inquiries in 2013,” Annie explains. “The North SA Chamber recognized the opportunity to expand our relationship with veterans and began offering discounted memberships, and now we’re going to formalize that commitment to all veterans seeking the resources we provide,” she adds.

Workforce Development
Additionally, the North SA Chamber will continue to meet the needs of businesses for a readied workforce and ongoing professional development. First, the North Chamber launched a Job Bank in late 2013, and the online search tool is a free community resource to job seekers.

“We will promote the Job Bank heavily in 2014 to veterans, transitioning professionals, college students and recent grads,” says Annie. In this way, the North Chamber will help veterans to access career opportunities and assist member employers with an additional no-cost tool to access a larger pool of applicants.

“So many business owners are looking for qualified people. If you have a qualified workforce, then that just improves the community overall,” says Annie. “The North SA Chamber can help veterans, millennial workers and just about every professional in any interest area to access resources to sharpen their professional skills and build relationships through our various instructional and networking events and volunteer opportunities,” she adds.

The North Chamber offers a myriad of instructional programs starting with Leadership Lab, the Chamber’s nine-month leadership development academy. Annie describes Leadership Lab as “our top tool to help our member businesses develop the leaders in their companies, retain talent and aid in succession plan strategies.” Additionally, the Chamber will continue to offer a wide range of education topics from technology and finance to sustainability, women’s leadership, social media, small business operations and more.

Moreover, recognizing the growing time scarcity among busy professionals, the North SA Chamber is exploring online training offerings to provide a more vast range of course topics and to accommodate members’ busy schedules.

Small Business Advancement
Approximately 75% of the North SA Chamber’s membership is comprised of small businesses, and the organization will continue to advance small business in the coming year. Since 1996, the Chamber has been recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of entrepreneurs through a program that started as the Pride in Progress Awards and evolved to become the Small Business Leaders Awards (SBLA). Having grown tremendously over almost two decades, SBLA honors small businesses across multiple categories including innovation, community service, employee relations, career and business achievement, and new in 2014 – veteran-owned businesses and smaller non-profits who operate much like a small business.

Annie’s husband is also an entrepreneur, and she says, “I know what it takes to run a business and how hard they work. They need the resources a Chamber provides. That’s why I love my job as a banker and my service to the Chamber so much.”

Through Annie’s direct experience in lending at Wells Fargo, she says that more than ever millennial workers are interested in starting their own businesses. According to Forbes magazine, in 2013 millennial workers were making the transition to freelancing and business ownership in droves. “Previous generations wanted the security of a 9 to 5 job. Millennial professionals are more creative and independent, and they want to work on their terms,” she adds.

Annie sees an opportunity for the North SA Chamber to expand its reach to attract millennial professionals to make the North Chamber their Chamber of choice. “We’re working to offer new individual levels of membership for college students, recent grads and transitioning professionals,” says Annie. “We are seeing much younger professionals, and it’s important to get them engaged early on,” she adds. Annie says the key is to connect with them across social media and online channels. An area of professional development that Annie feels is just as important for mature businesses to adopt.

“Business needs to get on the train with social media. It’s our responsibility to educate them and show them how,” she says. This is an area the North SA Chamber addresses through Social U, a social media university for savvy marketers and professionals with a vested interest in the profitability of marketing initiatives.

Advocating for Business
Founded in 1974, the North SA Chamber had the foresight to anticipate San Antonio’s future growth beyond downtown, and we’ve continued to play a major role in shaping and defining solutions for urban and quality of life issues including transportation infrastructure, water quality and supply, energy diversification, economic and workforce development, health and wellness, technology and education.

The North SA Chamber government affairs committee and board will work with members and community partners to develop, present and endorse a Legislative Agenda for the 2015 session. “We have a long history of supporting the advancement of higher education in our immediate community,” explains Annie. “The next Legislative Session will be no different. We will advocate for Tuition Revenue Bonds for growing state institutions including Texas A&M – San Antonio, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.” As with the 2013 Legislative Session, the North SA Chamber will look to partner with other Chambers of Commerce, trade and civic groups to ensure “our voice is loud, clear and unified before legislators that higher education is a need for our community.”

Once again, we will advocate for funds for transportation infrastructure and work with the San Antonio Mobility Coalition and Alamo Regional Mobility Authority to press for funding alternatives for projects that best leverage our resources and benefit the residents and businesses of Bexar County and surrounding areas.

Annie’s position is that, “Roads and highways are a productivity issue. Time is money. Our workforce is much more productive in the office than they are sitting in a car.” She says well-planned roadways attract business to San Antonio and keep them here. “It’s a quality of life issue with economic impact consequences.”

Be a part of it.
Over the last 40 years, the North SA Chamber has left an indelible mark on the city with our culture of entrepreneurialism and cooperation. Today, the North SA Chamber has earned a reputation as one of the state’s most dynamic and inclusive trade organizations. Resolute in our efforts to advocate for business and education, recognize deserving leaders and provide professional development – we deliver opportunities to make results-oriented business-to-business connections.

“I invite each of our members to do what they can to engage in that 40-year legacy and join us in our efforts,” says Annie. “The North SA Chamber has only come this far because of the commitment, dedication and action of our volunteers. We need your involvement more than ever. Thank you to our board, volunteers, members and supporters for all you do to keep Bexar County strong. And I look forward to working with you and serving you in 2014!”