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Your Chamber

Councils & Committees

Members of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce have a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of both their business and the greater Sarasota community by serving on various Chamber councils and committees. This opportunity is available not only to you personally, but to all of your staff as well. Volunteer service affords Chamber members a means to become actively involved in community affairs. Even more importantly, it provides the vehicles necessary to bring together the wealth of talent, experience and expertise within our membership ranks for the benefit of our business community. See the listing below to discover the several ways to get involved, share your vision and have a voice in issues that affect your business.

Assignment Downtown Council

The Assignment Downtown Council of the greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is a testament to the commitment the Chamber has to ensure this region nurtures our downtown core. The Council embodies four cornerstones by which we measure our efforts and decisions: Collaboration & Transparency, Diversity & Inclusion, Energy & Vitality, and Excellence.

Chair: Roxanne Joffee, CAP Brand Marketing
Staff Contacts: Steve Queior (556-4050); squeior@sarasotachamber.com
Valorie Hillerich (556-4046); vhillerich@sarasotachamber.com

Chamber Partners

In the Partners group, Chamber member volunteers serve as customer relations representatives for The Chamber, contact new members, and visit existing members to expand communications and involvement.

Chair: Tom Roberts, A New Approach Financial Planning
Staff Contacts: Morgan Gerhart (556-4031); mgerhart@sarasotachamber.com
Anthony Hartman (556-4034); ahartman@sarasotachamber.com

Business and Networking Groups (B.A.N.G.) Committee

The B.A.N.G. committee is responsible for planning and presenting many of The Chamber's innovative networking events. First Monday, MegaMingle, Power Hour Live lunches, Breakfast with a B.A.N.G. and Coffee with the Chair are some of the events that members work on as part of this vibrant committee. If you love networking, planning events and making new connections, the B.A.N.G. committee will be a great fit for you!

Chair: Lori Denny, LEDS of Sarasota, Inc.
Staff Contacts: Morgan Gerhart (556-4031); mgerhart@sarasotachamber.com
Anthony Hartman (556-4034); ahartman@sarasotachamber.com

Programming Committee

The programming Committee is involved with coordinating all educational programming for The Chamber, including the Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick Chamber University.

Chair: Jan Pitchford., Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP
Staff Contacts: Morgan Gerhart (556-4031); mgerhart@sarasotachamber.com
Anthony Hartman (556-4034); ahartman@sarasotachamber.com
Vicki Vega (556-4044); vvega@sarasotachamber.com

Workforce Innovation & Talent Development Council

 This group consists of a variety of Chamber members who are interested in and supportive of advancing our education and workforce development future in Sarasota County.

Chair: Rich Odato, Odato Marketing Group, Inc.
Staff Contacts: Vicki Vega (556-4044); vvega@sarasotachamber.com

Governmental Issues Council

This important Chamber group monitors and develops public policy positions that are "pro-business and pro-greater Sarasota." Research is involved, as well as meetings with elected officials and experts on various topics as The Chamber’s positions are developed and then communicated.  More Info

Chair: Nick Gladding, Adams & Reese LLP
Staff Contacts: Del Borgsdorf (556-4045); dborgsdorf@sarasotachamber.com
Valorie Hillerich (556-4046); vhillerich@sarasotachamber.com

 Green Business Leadership Council

 This new Chamber committee is dedicated to assisting businesses in developing sustainable best practices, promoting sustainable business policies and educating the community on sustainable business initiatives.

Chair: Michael Carlson, Carlson Studio Architecture
Staff Contact: Vicki Vega (556-4044); vvega@sarasotachamber.com

 International Business Council

This council’s mission is to develop and maintain the appropriate business services, partners, resources and international relations that will enable the greater Sarasota/Southwest Florida area to become a leader in the promotion and facilitation of environmentally friendly commerce and international trade.

Chair: Mike Walley, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport  (council membership appointed)
Staff Contacts: Vicki Vega (556-4044); vvega@sarasotachamber.com
Michelle Anderson (556-4038); manderson@sarasotachamber.com

Leadership Sarasota County

The Leadership Sarasota County program is designed to provide knowledge, opportunity and insight about "how things work in our community. Participants are exposed to diverse and effective leadership philosophies challenged by their peers and are expected to contribute in all the sessions and the class project. The sessions include study of local government, commerce and industry, education and the arts, health and human services and the media.

Chair: Larry Face, Next Level Achievement (participation by application/selection)
Staff Contact: Barbara Hines (556-4026); bhines@sarasotachamber.com

Communications Council

This council exists to develop and implement initiatives to educate and retain The GSCC's membership, Sarasota Tomorrow partners and the community at-large through engaging communications strategies.

Chair: Bob Hite, Eric Mower & Associates (council membership appointed)
Staff Contact: Brittany Lamont  (955-4040); blamont@sarasotachamber.com

Membership Benefits & Events Council

Volunteer service opportunities exist in the areas of special events, networking opportunities, member relations and providing input to The Chamber’s membership growth plan.

Chair: Hugh Peeples, Mercedes Benz of Sarasota
Staff Contact: Morgan Gerhart (556-4031); mgerhart@sarasotachamber.com
Anthony Hartman (556-4034); ahartman@sarasotachamber.com

Small Business Council

The Small Business Council acts as an advocate and resource for small business members of The Chamber. The SBC provides workshops and seminars on a variety of small business topics and one-on-one counseling sessions with SCORE and the MCC/SBDC. Current Small Business Council committees: Good Business & Ethics and Small Business Issues.

Chair: Ben Jones, Kerkering Barberio & Co.
Staff Contacts: Vicki Vega (556-4044); vvega@sarasotachamber.com

Young Professionals Group

 Young Professionals Group (YPG) is a meaningful networking organization of dedicated, talented young professionals ranging in age from 21-40 in Sarasota County. YPG began with an explosive launch in May 2003 and a simple agenda: To enrich our community by uniting and developing our young professionals.

 Chair: Amy Hunt, The Bank of Commerce
Staff Contact: Michelle Anderson (556-4038); manderson@sarasotachamber.com
©2010 The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. 1945 Fruitville Rd. : Sarasota, FL 34236 : (941) 955-8187 : (941) 366-5621 fax