thechamberofcommerce.org

Annual REPORT 2015 Recognizing milestones and achievements of our businesses and organizations.

Expanding your brand

Increasing your market

Engaging stakeholders

Growing your business

2015EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dick Lange

Voss Automotive Network

2015 Chairman of the Chamber Board

Rick Fishbaugh

Fishbaugh Homes

2015 Vice Chairman of the Chamber Board

John Dickerson

Retired, Dickerson Distributing

2014 Chairman of the Chamber Board

Stuart Robinson

Robinson Heating & Air

Conditioning, Inc.

2013 Chairman of the Chamber Board

Rick Pearce

President/CEO

BOARDOF DIRECTORS

Cheryl Brackman Cincinnati State Middletown

John Dickerson Retired, Dickerson Distributing

Scott Dowrey KLW Plastics

Bob Fairchild Huhtamaki

Rick Fishbaugh Fishbaugh Homes

Phil Fultz AK Steel

Tammy Laine Atrium Medical Center

Dick Lange Voss Automotive Network

Rick Pearce The Chamber of Commerce

Tal Moon Moon & Adrion Insurance Agency, Inc.

Larry Mulligan, JR First Financial Bank

Paul Nenni Nenni & Company, CPA’s

Charlotte Pendergrass RE/MAX Alpha Real Estate

Jackie Ponder MillerCoors

Michael Pratt Miami University Regionals

Stuart Robinson Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Tom Scott McGraw/Kokosing

Paul nenni

Nenni & Company, CPA’s

Chamber Treasurer

CHAMBERMESSAGE

The past two years have been very productive for the Chamber. Under the

leadership of John Dickerson (2014) and Dick Lange (2015), a Strategic

Planning Task Force was put together to determine the future path for the

organization. The Task Force, along with the Board of Directors, conducted

multiple sessions and identified four areas that need to be addressed. Those

areas include: Advocacy/Government Relations, Education/Career Path,

Leadership/Influence, and Regional Business Catalyst. The Strategic Planning

Task Force also identified chairpersons for each area and they have been meeting this past year to

identify goals and objectives.

I am very excited about what the Strategic Planning Task Force has started and the direction in which

the Chamber is going. Each task force is extremely important to the business growth in our service

area and goes a long way in addressing the needs of our members. Each focus area has great

leadership and sound goals and objectives to guide them. In the years to come, it will be an honor

and privilege to report the achievements of each Task Force.

The success of the organization goes to the membership of the Chamber, the Executive Committee,

and the Board of Directors. Thank you all for your input, skills and talents. We look forward to the

work we will do together in the coming years!

Best in Profits –

Rick Pearce President/CEO

Chamber Team / /

Rick Pearce President/CEO

Amanda Burkholder Director of Communications and Member Services

Ann Banks Office Manager

YOUR CHAMBER AT A GLANCE

Established / / 1944

Members / / 450

Board Members / / 16

Mission / /

to promote economic prosperity for our current and future members through advocacy, collaboration, and education.

Vision / / our business community is proud, vibrant and prosperous, poised for the future and prepared for sustainable success.

2016FOCUS AREAS

Expand the Leadership Development Program to grow future leaders for our region

Actively pursue the expansion and retention of businesses to promote regional economic growth

Increase communications and collaboration between businesses and education institutions

Closing the knowledge gap between business and education

Advise Board of Directors on influencing elected

officials and government policy makers to advance pro-business legislation

OURMEMBERSHIP

2015CHAIRMANMESSAGE

2015 was a great year for The Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton. I was privileged to be the Chairman of this exciting year

of economic growth and projects and am especially encouraged about the successes that our four task forces have endured. I’m also excited about the

roll out of the tier dues structures that Rick and his staff have been working on.

I want to thank the staff, Executive Committee, Board of Directors and our members. Members are the backbone of the Chamber. Your commitment to improving our area and quality of life makes Middletown, Monroe and Trenton a great place to live, work and play.

I want to particularly thank Rick Pearce for putting up with me for the last year. Rick’s hard work and

innovation help make your Chamber membership a valuable commodity to help you succeed in your business.

It was an honor and privilege to serve as your 2015 Chairman. I look forward to continuing to

participate in the many great Chamber programs and services and to still be a thorn in Rick’s side. I also look forward to Rick Fishbaugh leading the Chamber and advancing the Chamber’s agenda in

2016. Thank you for your support during 2015 and I wish you and your business a wonderful 2016!!!

Sincerely,

Dick Lange Voss Automotive Network 2015 Chairman of the Board

SIGNATUREEVENTS

The Business Luncheon

Networking at Noon

Annual Meeting

All American Expo

Golf Open

Groundhog Economic Forecast

Steak Fry

State of Higher Education

K-12 Public Education Summit

Holiday Open House

2015 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

How to Work an Expo for Profits

No Pressure Cold Call

Workers’ Compensation Safety Seminars

Leadership Development Program

Member Orientation

Butler/Warren Business Day in Columbus

2016CHAIRMANMESSAGE

I would like to start by thanking each of our current Chamber of Commerce Members for seeing the importance of investing in your Chamber. I firmly

believe that the Middletown, Monroe and Trenton areas are all on the verge of an extended period of unprecedented growth as we continue to emerge from

one of the most difficult economic times in our nation’s history since the great depression.

The Chamber of Commerce Serving Middletown, Monroe and Trenton has successfully been in existence for over 70 years and it is an extreme honor to be selected to serve

as the 2016 Chairman of the Board. Today we are blessed to have over 450 chamber members along with a Board of 16 prominent business leaders who represent each of our service areas. I

would like to express my appreciation to each of our Board Members and Task Force Committee Members who have and continue to give so freely of there time and talents. Their commitment is vital for our success.

I would also like to thank Rick Pearce, our President/CEO, Ann Banks, our Office Manager and

Amanda Burkholder, Director of Communications & Member Services for their hard work and commitment to the Chamber of Commerce.

Consider that during the course of this coming year, we will host over 35 events with a staff of only

three full time employees. I consider this a truly remarkable achievement. But the success of these events would also not be possible if it were not for the many of you who also serve as volunteer committee members to ensure everything comes together.

To reach that extended period of growth I mentioned earlier, your Chamber of Commerce will continue to serve as advocates for each of you and our communities. We will continue to offer support for your business such as opportunities for networking, monitor tax rates for business at the

local and state levels as well as creating a environment that is conducive for growth, through our four focus areas.

In closing, thank you for attending tonight’s Annual Meeting and for providing me this honor to serve

as your 2016 Chairman of the Board.

Sincerely,

Rick Fishbaugh Fishbaugh Homes 2016 Chairman of the Board

MEMBERSHIPPAYS how consumers view active Chamber Membership

63%

believe you are

involved in the community

64%

believe you care about your customers

69%

believe you have a

good reputation 70%

believe you use

good business practices

*Statistics according to The Schapiro Group’s 2015 research study, “The Real Value of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce.”

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65,000

287 www.thechamberofcommerce.org

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2015SUSTAININGMEMBERS

PLATINUMLEVEL

BUTLER TECH

TITANIUMLEVEL

AK STEEL

DIAMONDLEVEL

Atrium Medical Center First Financial Bank

GOLDLEVEL

Cincinnati State Middletown Cohen

Deceuninck North America McGraw/Kokosing

Midd Cities Partners MidUSA Credit Union

MillerCoors Precision Strip

Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning

Russ Beckner Pictures Tech Force Onsite, LLC

-Trenton Computer

SILVERLEVEL

American Savings Bank Cox Media Group Ohio

Evertz Technology Service Joe Morgan Honda

Miami University Middletown Miller Insurance, Inc.

Nenni & Company, CPA’s Slam Dunk Sports Marketing

A special thank you to our Sustaining Members whom are investing in our cause, purpose, and vision

1500 Central Ave

Middletown, OH

513.422.4551

thechamberofcommerce.org

info@thechamberofcommerce.org