www.thechambernv.orgDECEMBER 2014

O N N E C T I O N

THE CHAMBER Cordially Invites You to Our

ANNUAL HOLIDAY

LUNCH Friday, December 5

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets: $30 Members/$45 Nonmembers

Atlantis Casino

Help make Christmas brighter for a child from The Boys and Girls Club Sun Valley location by adopting a boy or girl this holiday season! We have 120 children that have shared what they would like for Christmas as well as provided a list of basic needs. Please help to insure these children have a Christmas to remember!

Please R.S.V.P. by December 1 to Susan at SRobinson@TheChamberNV.org or

call (775) 636-9552.

CHAMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2014Chamber Welcomed 411 New Members (as of 12/1/14)

Thank you to the 107 active and engaged Chamber Ambassadors

Instrumental in DEFEATING ballot Question 3 on Margin Tax

69 Chamber Members held Ribbon Cuttings

Chamber hosted 51 mixers, lunches, after hours and events

80 leaders graduated from The Chamber Leadership programs including 30th class for Leadership Reno Sparks, Youth Leadership and PACE

Let The Chamber be your partner for business. We deliver a strong return on your investment through a variety of resources and opportunities. With over 2,000 members, 200 volunteers and a full time staff of experts, we are the largest business organization in Northern Nevada. We advance your business through the power of connection, business referrals, discounts, regional promotion and sponsorship.

Take control and be heard As a business person, you know that free enterprise is the foundation of a strong economy and a prosperous society. At The Chamber, we advocate for public policies that help your business thrive. We realize that economic growth and job creation don’t “just happen” and that is why The Chamber’s results oriented, pro-business advocacy efforts are so important to your business and the future of our community.

Getting involved The Chamber offers a multitude of programs and committees that benefit our members as well as lead to growth within our business community. Join one of our councils and help shape policy, become an Ambassador and support new members or enroll in one of our many leadership classes and increase your knowledge and awareness of challenges facing our area. Let us help contribute to your personal and professional growth.

Networking Advancing your business through member to member connection, The Chamber hosts a variety of networking opportunities to help you gain that one-on-one advantage that help promote your business or product.

• Chamber Mixers • New Member Orientation • DIRECTIONS• Committee Participation • Biz Talk Blender • The Morning Spark • Membership Luncheons • Ribbon Cuttings

Marketing & Promotion Membership offers outstanding marketing opportunities to get your message out. Let other members know what makes your product or service unique through an array of opportunities.

• Directory Listing • Business Referral • Directory Listing & Links on Website • Email New Member • Chamber Lobby • New Member Listings Promotion Advertising• Social Media • Member Events Calendar • Custom Publication New Member Promotion Advertising• Sponsorships

Events & Sponsorship Looking to build your brand? Sponsoring a chamber event helps you reach a key business to business demographic and community leaders.

• Annual Golf Tournament • B.E.S.T. Kids Program • Monthly Luncheons• Chamber 101 • DIRECTIONS • Biz Talk Blender

This is Your Chamber!

CHAMBER BOARD

OFFICERS:

Jim McClenahan -Chairman of the Board

UNR College of Business

Tim Ruffin - Past ChairColliers International

Sarah Sommers - Chair ElectSolutions At Work

Danny DeLaRosa - TreasurerUnited Federal Credit Union

Dennis McGovern- Business Advocacy

Legends at Sparks Marina

Todd Wilson - LeadershipBenefit Resource Group

Stephen Ascuaga

Len Stevens - Executive Director

The Chamber

BOARD MEMBERS:

Mike HixFirst Independent Bank

Alan OliveNorthern Nevada Medical

Center

Josh BartellaMicrosoft

Bill HughesPeppermill

Lisa Speth-JonesWells Fargo

Chris BosseRenown

Cheri HillSage International Inc.

Pete CopelandGreat Reno Balloon Race

Brad WoodringNV Energy

Larry HuntBayer Properties, LLC

Kris WellsAT&T

Gina BrooksThe Glenn Group

Doug KnuthUNR Athletics

Abbi WhitakerThe Abbi Agency

Tammy Cantrelle-SmithMountain America Credit Union

Kimberly KuntzNoble Studios

Tim CrowleyNevada Mining Association

John MaherReno-Gazette Journal

Audrey DamonteAltus Insurance

Pedro MartinezWashoe County School District

Estella GutierrezTruckee Meadows

Community College

Helen LidholmSaint Mary’s

Regional Medical Center

LIAISONS:

Joe Bozsik - Young Professionals NetworkUNR College of Engineering

Mark Tulman - AmbassadorsNevada Association

of Employers

Tina Iftiger - Reno Tahoe Airport Authority

Steve Anderson- EDAWNRBC Wealth Management

Linda Meissen - Realtors Association

PrudentialSierra Nevada Properties

Ziad Rashdan - ASUN UNR

Darrell Plummer - WINSierra Nevada Properties

CHAMBER STAFF:

Len Stevens -Executive Director

Tray Abney - Director of

Government Relations

Joy Heuer -Community & Member Information Manager

Jennifer Jones -Finance Manager,

Administration

Susan Robinson -Events Coordinator

Leslie Masterpool -Programs Coordinator

Sandy Ammerman -Membership Relations

Varney Padgett - Membership Sales

Laurie Pettyjohn -Membership Sales

message from the executive director775-636-9550 | www.thechambernv.org

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 | Annual Holiday Membership Luncheon11:30am-1:30pm @ Atlantis Casino Resort SpaMembers: $30 (see page cover for more details)PLEASE RSVP — Register online at the chambernv.org

CHAMBER WILL BE CLOSED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:December 24, 25, 31 and January 1Wishing you a very enjoyable holiday season!

Before any event, please check the events calendar at www.thechambernv.org for any possible additions or last minute changes.

5

NOTE

upcoming events

2 CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2014

Wow! I can’t believe that we are just about finished with the year, 2014. So many great things have happened at The Chamber this year!

2014 has been magnificent for members as we have welcomed over 400 new members to The Chamber. Our Leadership programs (Leadership Reno Sparks, PACE, and Youth Leadership) graduated 80 participants. Our website is averaging 10,000 hits per month. The Chamber hosted/ co-hosted approximately 140 ribbon cuttings, open houses, membership lunches, Morning Sparks, Biz Talk Blenders and other events in 2014. The Chamber Political Action Committee interviewed countless candidates for endorsements this year. We were very instrumental in spreading the word about voting NO on 3 and defeating the Margin Tax. Now, it is time for The Chamber to represent you in Carson City during the legislative session. I hope that all of you take advantage of the Member2Member discounts and use the benefits The Chamber has to offer. We are preparing for 2015 and it is shaping up to be an exciting year. The Chamber will continue to focus and revamp benefits, events, and programs that provide value to your membership. The Chamber will unveil our Choose Chamber campaign in the very near future, which will consistently remind and encourage you to do business with fellow chamber members. Choose Chamber will also focus on keeping our dollars in our community. As we gear up for a very prosperous 2015, I want to wish all of you the best for the holiday season. Always remember that The Chamber is here to serve your business needs; we are only a phone call away. Let us be your most effective resource and remember to Choose Chamber!

Happy Holidays,

Len Stevens,Executive Director, The Chamber

you don’t want to missDATES TO SAVE

DIRECTIONS 2015 February 5th, 2015 from 7am-1pm Grand Sierra Resort

For more information on any of these events, please contact Leslie Masterpool: lmasterpool@thechambernv.org

Thank you to our 2014 Corporate Sponsors for your involvement and support of The Chamber.

The Chamber has been working to improve its billing and payments process. As part of this new process, members now have the option of making monthly, quarterly and yearly payments by an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This change will allow us to

offer lower monthly dues payments with the ease of automatic payments.

To get started with the Electronic Funds Transfer, simply request an authorization form and return to our office via email, fax or U.S. Mail at your earliest convenience.

The Chamber will not begin debiting your account until your membership is up for renewal. For more information regarding EFT payments, please contact Jennifer Jones at

jjones@thechambernv.org or 775-636-9553.

Chamber offers Electronic Funds Transfer

Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet

Lotus Radio

Mountainview Animal Hospital

Nevada Connections Academy

Invictus

Motivision

Network Service Solutions

Rock Thrift Store

3CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2014

ribbon cuttingsAdoption Choices of Nevada

Maire Burgess • (775) 200-4585789 E 2nd St. • Reno, NV 89502

Advanced Pediatric Therapies, LLCJulie Ortiz • (775) 825-4744

1025 Roberta Lane • Sparks, NV 89431

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.Irene Self • (775) 829-7210

500 Damonte Ranch Pkwy #735 • Reno, NV 89521

Angeles Wanco - Individual Membership(775) 843-3844 • Reno, NV 89509

Arthur Murray Dance Studio of RenoVanessa Ornelas • (775) 323-2623

2920 Mill St. • Reno, NV 89502

Barracuda ChampionshipChris Hoff • (775) 322-3900

1 E. 1st St., 16th Floor • Reno, NV 89501

ChevronHector Infante • (714) 671-3457

145 S. State College Blvd., Ste #400 • Brea, CA 92821

Crowley & Ferrato Public AffairsTim Crowley • (775) 742-4831

P.O. Box 18645 • Reno, NV 89511

Edward Jones - William Palmer IIIWilliam Palmer • (775) 787-6200

720 Robb Dr., Ste 102 • Reno, NV 89523

Fireplace Distributors of NV/ D&D Overhead Door

Jaime Dosh • (775) 747-13468521 White Fir St., Unit C6 • Reno, NV 89523

Golden Gaming LLCJames Wadhams • (775) 850-1000

1050 Terminal Way • Reno, NV 89502

Golden Gate PetroleumCurt Rolland • (775) 850-3010

16580 Wedge Pkwy #300 • Reno, NV 89511

Grifols Biomat USA Inc.Susan Gonzalez • (775) 324-5600270 East 6th St. • Reno, NV 89502

Invictus Computers & Gaming CenterOmar Muthana • (775) 622-3003

3695 Kings Row • Reno, NV 89503

Kaia FIT MidtownChristine Ermis • (775) 657-6478

820 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89502

Keller Williams Group One SparksDavid Hilbig • (775) 336-3800

5050 Vista Blvd, Ste 105 • Sparks, NV 89436

Keller Williams Group One SparksDenise Stuart • (775) 336-3800

5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Sparks, NV 89436

Keller Williams Group One SparksJamie Guier • (775) 336-3800

5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Sparks, NV 89436

Keller Williams Group One SparksJoanne Tiernan • (775) 336-3800

5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Reno, NV 89501

Keller Williams Group One SparksMarilyn Chapman • (775) 336-3800

5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105 • Sparks, NV 89436

Keller Williams Group One SparksStacey Berger • (775) 336-3800

5050 Vista Blvd., Ste. 105• Sparks, NV 89436

McSweeney InsuranceCameron McSweeney • (775) 843-6155

9640 S. McCarran Blvd., #200 • Reno, NV 89523

Pepsi Beverages CompanyGordon Fredell • (775) 856-5540

355 Edison Way • Reno, NV 89502

Postal Annex - SparksBrian Childers • (775) 626-68681344 Disc Dr. • Sparks, NV 89436

PowerHouse LearningBrandie Hinen • (208) 316-7656

PO Box 776 • Filer, ID 83328

PRMG - Paramount Residential Mortgage Group Art Loera • (775) 785-5714

299 S. Arlington Ave., 2nd Fl. • Reno, NV 89501

Pro AV & ElectronicsAaron Lines • (775) 870-4740

1545 Industrial Way • Sparks, NV 89431

Sierra Nevada MasterWorks ChoraleJody Cram • (775) 324-1940

925 E. Riverside Dr., Ste 2 • Reno, NV 89503

Solutions NV LLCAustin Wilson • (775) 500-1234

1893 Resistol Dr. • Reno, NV 89521

Uptown TreasuresRosie Bailey • (775) 800-1930

2295 S. Virginia St., Ste 16 • Reno, NV 89502

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. - North ValleysEsther Mims • (775) 332-0308

250 Vista Knoll Pkwy. • Reno, NV 89508

Waste ManagementJohn Langelle • (775) 329-8822100 Vassar St. • Reno, NV 89502

White Knight Real EstateMichelle Chism • (775) 322-8585145 Bailey Dr. • Reno, NV 89506

newmembers

OC

TO

BE

R

SPEAKERS

Opening RemarksNevada Governor Brian Sandoval (tentative)

TechnologyLt. Col. (ret.) Warren Rapp, Business Director, Nevada Advanced

Autonomous Systems Innovation Center, University of Nevada, Reno

EconomyJeremy Aguero, Principal Analyst, Applied Analysis

BusinessMike Kazmierski, President & CEO,

Economic Development Agency of Western Nevada

PoliticsJon Ralston, Political Commentator and Reporter, Ralston Reports

TICKETSEarly-bird ticket pricing is available until January 15th! Register Online

4-Pack of tickets for only $250! • Tickets (Members) $70 Tickets (Non-Members) $80

Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Exhibitor Booths starting at $1,000.

Contact Leslie at lmasterpool@thechambernv.org for more information

4 CHAMBER CONNECTION | DECEMBER 2014

Leadership Reno Sparks

Class of 2014 mobilizes local non-profit Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet

Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet Ribbon Cutting on October 23, celebrated their brand new van and the organization became mobile. Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet, GSCC, is a non-profit community service organization dedicated to providing clothing to at-risk individuals, children, and families in the greater Reno/Sparks area free of charge. GSCC is located on Record Street in downtown Reno. They were in need of a new van to use as a traveling “closet” to better serve community members who are unable to access the downtown location. The Chamber’s Leadership Reno Sparks Program is in its 30th year. Every year, the Leadership Reno Sparks class tackles a special community project that engages participants in a real-world exercise that also helps build our community. Not only has the Class of 2014 completed rigorous course work, workshops, and community engagement events, but they have been deeply immersed in a class project working with the GSCC. The class raised over $27,000 which was used to buy a van so GSCC could be mobile. Countless donations including clothes, blankets, shoes, and personal items were also gathered to assist in clothing our most at-risk population, the homeless in our community. This project was strongly supported by: United Federal Credit Union, PK Electrical, Lumos and Associates, Silver State Barricade and Sign, The Applied Companies, KPS3, Benefit Resource Group, NV Energy, Donate Life Nevada, The Casey Family, The Motta/Nichols Family and NVHS class of 2004.

Dear Chamber Member,

First of all, thank you for your membership. Your commitment of time and resources allowed us to assist in defeating the margin tax and in electing pro-economic vitality candidates to our councils, commissions, school board, the state legislature, and the state capitol. You put up with all of our emails, phone calls, and requests for money and you reached out to your colleagues, suppliers, and employees to let them know how important this election was to your ability to operate your business. Your membership allows us to speak with a collective voice and we are grateful for that. We mentioned the margin tax above and we all know that the defeat of Question 3 was our top priority this year. And while we were successful, and that success was larger than we ever thought possible, we do not have the luxury of sitting back, putting our feet up, and being thankful that we dodged a bullet. Our local and state education systems still need our undivided attention. We know that Question 3 was a horrible solution to a very real need. We know that our test scores and graduation rates are still too low and the need for remediation in college is still too high. And we know that our school facilities need to be upgraded and enhanced. We cannot expect to fund a modern school system with a decades-old tax structure. The point is, we must do something to reform our tax structure and fund education properly. Unless you want to fund and fight a margin tax-type battle every two or four years, it’s time to pass a tax package the proper way: with research and debate in Carson City through the legislative process. We must move away from a system funded by one or two cyclical industries. We must ensure that our dollars spent on education and other key government services are spent efficiently and effectively. We are not talking about throwing money at education, but throwing out the status quo and funding a system that demands results. The Chamber does not have a tax plan to present today. We won’t be creating a proposal in a vacuum. We pledge to work with Governor Sandoval, legislative leadership of both chambers and both parties, the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, other business groups, and YOU to come up with a plan for the future. We have always supported a tax structure that is equitable, stable, and broad-based. We can’t depend on a specific industry or type of business to fund the common good. Everyone must have skin in the game. The broader your tax base is, the lower the rate can be. Key areas to look at are property and sales taxes, which individuals and businesses pay. And we must ensure that any business tax is assessed fairly across all sectors of our economy. Given the election results on November 4th, we have an opportunity to institute real reforms that will save taxpayers real money. Money that can be used for education, mental health, and other Nevada priorities. We will urge the Governor and the Legislature to take a serious look at reforms in the following areas: construction defect, prevailing wage, public employee collective bargaining and retirement benefits, and other issues that affect the business community and every Nevadan. The Chamber is not interested in working with ideologues, publicity seekers, and those with axes to grind. We are interested in working with leaders, people who are ready to actively seek solutions. We are ready to get down to work and we will need your help. Getting through the election was only the beginning. The real work begins now. Can you help us? Please consider contributing to our Political Action Committee. We need to replenish that account after our margin tax fight. Contact Tray Abney, our Director of Government Relations, at tabney@thechambernv.org to learn more about how you can assist with our efforts. Thanks again for your membership and support. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Len Stevens Tray AbneyExecutive Director Director of Government Relations

w w w . T h e C h a m b e r N V . o r g

-Eleanor Roosevelt

PACE Leadership 2015“An ounce of action, is worth a ton of theory”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Program Info

Strengthen Your Personal LeadershipThis Chamber of Commerce program is a 9 month leadership and employee development program that revolves around communication skills, professional development and commu-nity engagement. Led by Jeffrey Benjamin from Breakthrough Training, the PACE program features “hands-on” training with leadership and team building exercises designed to foster communication skills for real world use.

The program is designed for business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, supervisors, and key company team members. The course offers a flexible schedule and each class is designed around interactive, hands-on exercises that build a strong foundation of communication and critical thinking skills that are necessary for strong leadership. PACE Leadership Modules:• Inroduction to Leadership - Module 1, April 1 • Leadership and Personal Development - Module 2, April 15• Community Awareness & Involvement - Module 3, May 6• Government Affairs & Interaction - Module 4, May 20• Mastering Your Communication - Module 5, June, 10• Education Systems - Module 6, July 15 • Business Development - Module 7, August 12• The Unlimited Power of Teamwork - Module 8, September 9• Productive Media Interaction - Module 9, October 7• Leadership Luncheon Reports - Module 10, November 18• Leadership Graduation Ceremony - Module 11, December 02

• 24 Applications Accepted• Modules are 4 Hours• Must Attend all Modules

• Download the Application & Full Program Description at:www.thechambernv.org/the-chamber/leadership

• For More Information and toSubmit Your Application ContactLeslie at The Chamber at(775) 636-9559

Professional Achievement Communication ExcellenceFee is : $595 for Chamber Members

PACE LEADERSHIP

Facilitated By:

Je�rey Benjamin