Volume 2013, Issue 12

The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber December 2013

Volume 2013, Issue #12

“We Mean Business”

Update from

Executive Director Amanda Baillie

2

SVRHC an-nounces new CEO

2

SEARCA holds representatives luncheon

3

Cox Charities distributes $112,000 to non-profits

4

December-Schedule of Events

4

November Events at a Glance

5

Many contrib-ute to our Chamber’s suc-cess

6

Member Page 7

Board of Directors / Chamber Staff

8

Festive events wrap up this year’s Chamber major activities By Amanda Baillie

Executive Director

Local businesses will be in the spotlight

this month, thanks to two major commu-

nity events.

The Chamber encouraged its members to

take advantage of the marketing opportu-

nities offered by the 14th Annual Festival

of Trees, and many of you did.

We are delighted to see an increase in

participation by businesses, with a record

number of large trees (50) being entered

for display at the Mall at Sierra Vista.

In total, there are

88 entries, to in-

clude tabletop

trees, wreaths,

g i n g e r b r e a d

houses and cen-

terpieces.

The Festival of

Trees, hosted by

the Chamber, the

Mall and the Si-

erra Vista Herald,

kicked off on November 24 and will end

on December 5 with a celebration event

from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Throughout the festival, all display items

will be available to buy, with part of pro-

ceeds going to help create a new library

at the Boys & Girls Club.

Purchased trees can also be donated to

local charities, who will deliver them to

families in need.

Additionally, a tree will be given to a sol-

dier’s family.

During the celebration evening, there will

be drawings for some spectacular prizes,

ranging from a 55 inch television to a

leather reclining chair.

Tickets cost $5 each or five for $20 and

are available at the Chamber or the Mall.

Please stop by the Mall to view the Winter

Wonderland created by the donors and

the Mall team.

Just two days after the Festival ends, the

Chamber will be presenting the 55th An-

nual Christmas Parade.

The theme is A Cowboy Christmas.

The night light parade has grown every

year and we are very pleased to see an

increase in business registrations for this

event also, espe-

cially from compa-

nies that have not

taken part before.

The goal of this

event, sponsored

by Lawley Automo-

tive and Cox, is to

expose businesses

to thousands of

people as their en-

tries are viewed

during the parade.

The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. on the

corner of Seventh and Fry and will make

its way east along Fry to Avenida Esquela.

The parade will be preceded by the Santa

Fly-In at 9 a.m. at the ACE Hardware park-

ing lot.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive via an Air

Evac helicopter.

The Chamber would like to thank all oft

hose members who are supporting these

important events and we look forward to

celebrating the festive season with you.

It is with mixed emotions

that I write this update—my

last as Executive Director of

the Chamber.

I will end my two and a half

years with this organization

on December 7—the day of

the 55th Annual Christmas

Parade.

Many of you have asked me

why I have chosen to step

down. The simple answer to

this is that after several

years of racing car speed

projects and roles, I want to

take a break and pursue

other opportunities.

I have been overwhelmed by

the positive feedback and

good wishes I have received

these past few weeks.

Heading up the Chamber has

been a true honor and I am ex-

tremely proud of all that we

have achieved these past cou-

ple of years.

Membership has grown by a

net increase of more than 100

and our finances are much

healthier, allowing us to im-

prove the service we offer

members.

We have introduced many new

benefits, events and programs.

We have formed new partner-

ships and built long lasting rela-

tionships.

We have created a strong

Chamber that stands ready to

continue to support this com-

munity.

Of course, none of this is possi-

ble without a dedicated and

committed staff and Board of

Directors.

Your outstanding Chamber team

continues to strive to improve

what we offer the business com-

munity. They are genuinely pas-

sionate about what they do.

I have also been lucky to have a

board that supports the mission

of this Chamber and which allows

the staff to get on with the job,

while providing guidance and in-

put.

I would like to thank each and

every member for your continued

investment—it is why we do what

we do.

I look forward to continuing rela-

tionships and friendships as I

wait to see what 2014 brings.

Merry Christmas and a prosper-

ous New Year!

Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie

“Your outstanding

Chamber team

continues to strive

to improve what we

offer the business

community.”

Page 2 The Chamber Vista

Dr. Dean French

from Mission

Trail Baptist Hos-

pital, San Antonio

has been named

Chief Executive

Officer at Sierra

Vista Regional

Health Center.

His combination of hospital

operational success, a strong clinical

history, and distinguished military

service makes him uniquely qualified

to lead in this community,” said

Chairman of the Board, Bruce Dock-

ter. Dean French MD is a board-

certified Family Physician. He most

recently served as Chief Operations/

Medical Officer at Mission Trail Bap-

tist Hospital, a 110-bed community

hospital serving south San Antonio,

TX. While at Mission Trail, Dr. French

participated in planning the construc-

tion of the new hospital and facili-

tated the move from the existing fa-

cility to the all-new hospital.

Prior to beginning his medical

career, Dr. French spent seven years

in the US Army Special Forces and

two years in the US Army Special

Forces Reserve. He spent time with

the 1st, 10th, and 12th Special

Forces Groups as Senior Special Op-

erations Medical Sergeant.

According to Dr. French, “My wife

Jennifer and I are very excited to

coming to Sierra Vista. This is a very

exciting time for this hospital and the

community. I look forward to working

with the medical staff, hospital em-

ployees, and the board to continue to

improve the quality and access to

healthcare in southeastern Arizona.”

Dr. French comes to Sierra

Vista with his wife Jennifer and be-

gins his new position December 12.

SVRHC announces new Chief Executive Officer

Getting Your Business

Found Online A Cochise College SBDC Event

Wednesday, Dec. 11

9-10:30 a.m.

Cochise College,

Sierra Vista Campus, Room 900.

Contact the SBDC today at

(520) 515-5478 to sign up.

It doesn’t do much good to have a

strong web presence – a website/blog,

Facebook page, etc. — if people can’t

find you easily. Whether you have a

brick-and-mortar presence, an online

store, or both, you need to show up in

search. Especially Google search.

Page 3 Volume 2013, Issue 12

Workers Compensation Insurance Increase January 2014

Arizona requires employers to have work-

ers compensation insurance coverage

for their employees. This insurance pro-

vides coverage for an employee who

has suffered an injury or illness result-

ing from job-related duties. Coverage

includes medical and rehabilitation

costs and lost wages for employees injured on the job. The Arizona Depart-

ment of Insurance has approved the Na-

tional Council on Compensation Insur-

ance’s (NCCI) recommendation to the

Arizona Department of Insurance for an

overall average rate increase of 3.2%,

beginning Jan. 1st, 2014.

The change in rates varies depending on

the specific classification code. Each

classification belongs to one of five in-

dustry groups.

The average changes proposed for each

of these groups are:

Manufacturing: +1.4%

Contracting: +3.9%

Office & Clerical: +3.8%

Miscellaneous: +0.9%

Goods & Services: +4.1%

For information, visit SCF Arizona at

http://bit.ly/1fdiJS0

The Southeast Arizona Rural Cham-

bers Alliance (SEARCA) hosted a joint

luncheon for State Senator Gail Grif-

fin and State House Representatives

David Gowan and David Stevens.

SEARCA is represented by the Sierra

Vista, Bisbee, Benson, Willcox and

Bowie Chambers.

The luncheon in Benson was at-

tended by members of each Cham-

ber’s Board of Directors and invited

guests.

The group heard about the 2013

State Legislative session and had the

opportunity to ask questions of the

three representatives.

Chamber group hosts state representatives luncheon Don’t forget to download the free

Chamber APP for all your local

shopping and services’ needs.

Featuring only Chamber members,

events, hot deals and more!

BUSINESS AT TWILIGHT

Hosted by:

Thursday, December 12

5:00 pm

260 North Garden Avenue

FOOD! FUN! RAFFLE! PRIZES!

Advertise to 650 local businesses

Schedule of Events

Page 4 Newsletter Title

Wed., Dec. 4 - Military Affairs (MAC) Lunch-

eon, 11:30 am at TMAC.

Thurs., Dec. 5 –Ribbon Cutting/Grand Open-

ing, Hoppin’Grapes, 11:00 am at 409 W. Fry,

Suite B.

Sat., Dec. 7 –Santa Fly-in, 9:00 am at Ace

Hardware Parking Area.

Sat., Dec. 7 - 55th Annual Christmas Parade,

“A Cowboy Christmas, 5:30 pm.

Tues., Dec. 10 - Ribbon Cutting, Heavenly

Fudge, LLV, 11:00 am at The Mall at Sierra

Vista

Wed., Dec. 11 –Ambassadors Committee

Meeting, 5:30 pm PDS Country Club.

Thurs., Dec. 12 –Business at Twilight (BAT),

Sun Canyon Inn 5:00 pm at 260 N. Garden

Ave.

Wed., Dec. 18 - Leadership Sierra Vista, Eco-

nomic Development/Business Day.

Fri., Dec. 20 - Board of Directors Meeting,

7:30 am at the Cox Resource Room, Cham-

ber office.

Reach businesses in Sierra Vista and

surrounding communities

Take advantage of this member-only

benefit!

We insert and mail for you!

Super low advertising rates! Members

pay only $99. Executive Club Members

pay just $49.

SPECIFICATIONS: Inserts must be on

8.5x11, flat, non-glossy, standard weight

(20lb.– black & white, 24/28lb.— color)

paper.

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

NOTE: Insert space is limited and is pro-

vided on a first come, first serve basis.

For information, call the Chamber at

458-6940 or email:

mdillard@sierravistachamber.org

Page 4 The Chamber Vista

SAVE THE DATE!

Sierra Vista Area Chamber

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

January 30th, 2014

Cox Charities distributes $112,000 to 30 area non-profits

Cox Charities has announced its se-

lection of non-profit grant recipients

in Southern Arizona and will distrib-

ute $112,000 to twenty-one area

non-profits including the Sierra Vista

Public Library’s Teen Center DJ/

Recording Studio. This is Cox Chari-

ties’ largest annual donation to the

region since the program was

launched in Southern Arizona in

2004.

Funds raised by Cox Charities directly

support programs like the Friends of

the Sierra Vista Public Library’s Teen

Center DJ/Recording Studio. The DJ/

Recording Studio idea was a pro-

posal from local 8th graders when the

City Council asked for input into the

new youth center for the neighbor-

hood.

This $10,000 grant will purchase

equipment to provide teens a safe

place where they can learn to digi-

tally compose, mix, sample, and re-

cord music while being instructed by

local musicians, sound engineers,

DJs, and other music professionals

through classes in a small group set-

ting.

“We are proud to invest in the South-

ern Arizona communities, including

Sierra Vista, where Cox employees

live and work, through the many

grants that Cox Charities award to

youth and education programs” said

Lisa Lovallo, vice president of Cox in

Southern Arizona.

Since its inception in 1996, Cox

Charities has awarded more than $4

million to local Arizona nonprofits

that support youth and education.

www.facebook.com/SierraVistaChamber www.twitter.com/SVChamber101

Page 5 Volume 2013, Issue 12

For upcoming events please visit us at www.sierravistachamber.org/events

Top Row: Shred-a-thon

2nd Row (left to right): Mini Expo, Color

Guard at Bring a Vet, Presentation to Chap-

lain.

3rd Row: Military Affairs Bring A Vet to Lunch

with guest speaker, Congressman Ron Bar-

ber.

4th Row, Right: PuroClean hosted Novem-

ber’s Business @ Twilight

Bottom Row: Ribbon Cutting at Sierra Vista

Napa, Middle & Right: Ribbon Cutting at

Sierra Vista Flowers and Gifts.

Page 6 The Chamber Vista

As 2013 draws to a close, the Sierra

Vista Area Chamber is pleased to

have reached new levels in total

number of members, quality events

and organizational stability. For the

last two-and-a half-years, the Cham-

ber has been led by Executive Direc-

tor, Amanda Baillie. The Executive

Director is the liaison between staff

and the Board of Directors, is usually

recognized as the face of the Cham-

ber and, assisted by a staff of four,

heads day-to-day operations. By now

you probably know that Amanda is

vacating her position December 7th .

We wish Amanda well in all her en-

deavors and appreciate her dedica-

tion and hard work.

While we will be transitioning to a

new Executive Director, we remind

you that the strength of the organiza-

tion is multi-faceted and derived

from several sources: Chamber

Members, Board of Directors, Execu-

tive Director and Chamber Staff.

Six hundred and forty-two members

strong, the Sierra Vista Area Cham-

ber stands as a noted voice of the

business world in Southeast Arizona

through the work of the Ambassa-

dors, Leadership, Military Affairs,

Business Advocacy and Safety Com-

mittees.

The Board of Directors, made up of

community leaders who have agreed

to serve as the Chamber’s guiding

body contribute to the overall suc-

cess by meeting regularly with the

Executive Director and keeping

abreast of business concerns. If you

haven’t already met Board Members

at events and committee meetings,

you can find out more by visiting our

website at http://

sierravistachamber.org/?p=608

The Chamber staff consists of four

positions: Events Coordinator, Mar-

keting and Membership Director, Of-

fice Manager and Communications

Director.

Diane Erwin has held the title of

Events Coordinator for over 7 years.

The Christmas Parade is perhaps her

favorite and most demanding annual

event, but her organizational abilities

are behind the success of other an-

nual happenings like The Santa Fly-

In; The Annual Meeting; The Health,

Wealth and Lifestyle Fair; Power of

the Purse; The Home & Business

Expo; and The Mini Expo. Diane is

also the liaison of the Ambassadors

Committee and the Leadership Pro-

gram.

Most weekdays you will find Market-

ing and Membership Director John

Hargraves out in the community talk-

ing to people about the many ways in

which we can assist their businesses.

Always upbeat, and possessing an

uncanny ability to take networking to

new heights, John is the energy be-

hind member growth and education.

He leads Ribbon Cuttings, Business

@ Twilight and The Lucky Bucks Pro-

gram. Once a month John organizes

a most dynamic and valuable mem-

ber orientation dubbed Chamber

101.

If you have called the Chamber in the

last year and a half, you’ve probably

been greeted by Office Manager Toni

Rogers. She is charged with keeping

the financial records, answering

phones, greeting visitors, scheduling

meeting rooms and coordinating fa-

cilities’ cleaning and maintenance. In

addition, Toni is the staff liaison for

the Chamber’s Safety Committee and

records the minutes for the Board of

Directors’ meetings.

The newest member of the team is

yours truly, Margaret Dillard, Commu-

nications Director. I accepted the

privilege of working with this uniquely

qualified and talented team of pro-

fessionals November 2012. Since

then, I get paid to log onto Facebook

and Twitter to see what all of our

members are up to! Okay, so I am

also responsible for this monthly

publication, The Chamber Vista and

The E-Blast, weekly correspondence

sent to more than 1700 email ad-

dresses. I serve as webmaster for the

Chamber’s online presence, includ-

ing My Chamber App, our mobile site,

all social media, and our instant mes-

saging service. I also provide some IT

services and assist the Co-chairs of

the Military Affairs Committee.

So, you see that many, many people

contribute to the success of the Si-

erra Vista Area Chamber and that is

the signature of any great organiza-

tion. The very heartbeat, however, is

our members. You are the reason

that the Chamber exists and you are

the reason that the organization has

not only survived, but thrived, during

this prolonged period of the nation’s

economic challenges.

Many contribute to our Chamber’s success

Page 7 Volume 2013, Issue 12

Thanks to these members for renewing their commitment to the business community

A Special Welcome to Our New Members!

Executive Club Members Allstate Insurance Company - Pat Meldrum

American Southwest Credit Union

Arizona Water Company

Beacon Group

Bishop & Brown, LLC

BrightStar HomeCare

CACI, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Arizona, Inc.

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

CerendipiTees *Home Based Business of 2012*

CGI *Large Business of the Year 2012*

Cherry Creek Radio

City of Sierra Vista

Cox

Dental Village

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home

General Dynamics Information Tech.

Hobby Lobby

Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra Vista, Inc.

JR's Food and Spirits

Landmark Cafe, The

Las Palomas Apartments

Lawley Automotive Center

Lawley's Team Ford

Life Care Center

Long Realty Co.

Longhorn Restaurant

Mall at Sierra Vista - Management Office

ManTech Telecommunications & Info Sys-

tems

Mr. Fix It

Naco Dental

National Bank of Arizona

Netmedix IT Solutions

New Frontier Animal Medical Center

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Patio Pools & Spas

Pioneer Title Agency

Pueblo del Sol Country Club

Real Estate Press of Sierra Vista

Rommel Equipment Services

Rosemont Copper Company

Sierra Vista Ace Hardware

Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily Review

Sierra Vista Regional Health

Southeastern Arizona Contractors Assoc.

Southwest Gas Corporation

Southwestern Eye Center

Specialists in Dermatology

Stachel & Associates, P.C.

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop.

Sun Canyon Inn

Systems Integration

Tailored Living

The Boeing Company

TownePlace Suites by Marriott

University of Phoenix-Sierra Vista Campus

Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors, David

Burnett

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wayland Baptist University

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.

Windemere Hotel & Conference Center

Aida Abad-LegalShield (520) 220-8645

CMS Auto Glass (520) 559-5272

eXpert Fit Custom Bras (520) 559-2429

Golf Cars of Arizona (520) 378-9597

Meeh Design (520) 220-5990

MKB Construction, Inc. (520) 305-4558

More Than Doors (520) 234-2006

Mr. Rooter (520) 226-3630

Sierra Vista Napa (520) 458-1713

Sunstreet Mortgage - Heather Rodriguez (520) 226-1180

Sunstreet Mortgage, LLC (520) 459-1161

The Official Man Cave Site (520) 227-4728

Tony's Board Shop (520) 508-5236

Vacation Architect (520) 227-7887

Angelika's German Imports

Arizona Comfort Systems

Arizona's G&T (Generation & Transmission

B & D Lumber

Bonanza Cleaners & Laundry

Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC

CerendipiTees

Data Systems & Technology, Inc.

Dove Security

EXIT Realty Southwest Spirit

First Baptist Church

Fry's Food Stores Of Arizona

Garden Place Suites

Golf Cars of Arizona

Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona

Great Living Waters

Hampton Inn

High Desert Clinic

Isaacson Homes

J & L Auto Specialties/Newman Glass Co

Laser Cosmetic Services

Long Realty Co.

Long Realty- Katherine Zellerbach

Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC

MVP Awards

Oasis Apartments

Port Royale Apartments

PuroClean Water, Mold & Fire Specialists

Raytheon Company - Fort Huachuca Field Of

Real Estate Press of Cochise County

Sierra Vista Dream Center

Sierra Vista Napa

SMPLFY IT

Sonoita Vineyards

Southeast Arizona Association of Realtors

Southwest Home and Hearth

Specialists in Dermatology

SSVEC/TransWorld Network, Corp.

Stan's Fence Company

Summit Fitness

Sutherlands

Systems Integration

Tee Sign Design, LLC

Truly Nolen Sierra Vista Branch Office

Tyler's Yard Tree & Landscaping Services

University Physicans Healthcare Group

Verizon Wireless

Wells Fargo Bank & Company Main Branch

Wendy's of Sierra Vista

Banner advertising

opportunities

available on the Chamber’s website.

Call Margaret at (520) 458-6940 or

visit http://bit.ly/19DFJ4F

21 E. Wilcox Dr.

Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635

The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber

21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878 www.sierravistachamber.org

Mission Statement

The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community.

2012-13 Board of Directors

Executive Officers

Chairman - Michael Benson - TDY Housing Past Chairwoman - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Chair Elect - Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems Treasurer - Anita Farrow, National Bank of Arizona Secretary - Jack Blair, SSVEC

Board Members

Frank Gonzalez, - Lawley Automotive Elsie MacMillan - Sierra Toyota Ken Cecil - Mall at Sierra Vista Phil Vega - Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office Glen Cobb - Sierra Suites Kevin Peterson - CGI Mary Tieman - Southeast Arizona Workforce Connection

Jon Galchik—TASC

Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED

STANDARD

US POSTAGE PAID

HEREFORD, AZ

PERMIT NO. 29

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

Chamber Staff

Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, abaillie@sierravistachamber.org Membership & Marketing Director - John Hargraves III, jhargraves@sierravistachamber.org Communications Director - Margaret Dillard, mdillard@sierravistachamber.org Office Manager - Toni Rogers, officem@sierravistachamber.org Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, derwin@sierravistachamber.org