| Nine elected to Marion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Nine members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce have been elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Each will serve on the Board from 2015 to 2017.  Nine members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce have been elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Each will serve on the Board from 2015 to 2017. Four are new board members, and the remaining are incumbents. The five incumbents are: • Brian Ziegler with Clarida & Ziegler Engineering Company • Ashlee Church with Volkswagen of Marion • Hayden Gardiner with South Porte Bank • Mary Jo McCurdy with Farmers State Bank • Tracey Glenn with Peoples National Bank The four new board members are: • James Flynn with Heartland Regional Medical Center • Rodney Cabaness with Black Diamond Harley Davidson • Ted Gutierrez with Illinois Small Business Development Center • Beau Detrick with Illinois Army National Guard “My perception of the role for a Board member within the Marion Chamber of Commerce is one who strives to make Marion a better place,” said Detrick. “I feel this individual should be motivated to help, disciplined enough to see a task through, and ultimately a person who places the needs of the Chamber of Commerce and Marion above their own. … I will certainly do my part to make the organization better as a whole.” Cabaness stated that he is excited about the opportunity to serve as a Director and to “perpetuate and advance the growth in the greater Marion area” through his “willingness to try to make a difference. Gutierrez stated that he brings “fresh perspective, unbiased ideas and enthusiasm to the table.” Although relatively new to the community in the Chief Executive Officer role at Heartland Regional Medical Center, Flynn is not new to the area, having lived in Marion 2011-2012 and serving as the Chief Operating Officer at the hospital. “During that time, as well as my time here now, I enjoyed getting to know the community and becoming involved in activities that support businesses in Marion,” Flynn said. “I look forward to contributing to the Marion Chamber Board as we look to growing Marion and our surrounding communities.” The new directors were presented during the December Monthly Membership Luncheon on Tuesday, December 9 at Kokopelli. “The Marion Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of the candidates who allowed their names to stand in the election, and all of the Chamber members who exercised their right to vote,” said Dalus Strusz, executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to working with all of the Board of Directors in the coming year to ensure the continued growth and success of the Chamber and the greater Marion area.” The term of the newly elected directors officially begins the evening of the 94th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet on Friday, January 16, 2015, at the Pavilion of the City of Marion. Reservations for the event are currently being accepted. To RSVP for the Annual Banquet, call the Chamber office at (618) 997-6311, email director@marionillinois.com or visit www.marionillinois.com. Published: 12/09/14 |
