2011 MAR DATELINE FOR WEB - Cullman Area Chamber of

www.cullmanchamber.org
President’s Corner
What were you doing seventy years ago? Most of us were not even born. Those of you who were alive probably have
little to no recollection of the year 1943. Let me share some interesting facts. In 1943, WWII was still raging, the
unemployment rate had dropped to 1.9% and a gallon of gas cost 19 cents.
Cullman was already looking to post war strategies and ways to strengthen the local economy. Leaders of that time were
making every effort to stimulate growth in all areas of business. In keeping with this mindset, a group of men set out to
form a Chamber of Commerce for Cullman County. The first President, (now referred to as chamber chair) Raymond
Yost, had these words to say:
“We know that new problems will arise in bringing this war to a victorious end and in the transition from military to
peaceful pursuits. It is true that the post war problems will result in many a headache to business and industry, but at the
same time, it opens a field of unexcelled opportunity to progressive cities. We must be prepared to face these problems,
whatever they may be, with confidence and courage. I predict that the Chamber of Commerce will serve us well and
will be a powerful and relentless force in the future development of our community. CULLMAN MUST GO FORWARD!
This slogan can only be fulfilled through unity of action and thought and by our own unified efforts.”
Through efforts in legislation, agriculture, aviation, industry, retail, parks and recreation, and community service, the
Chamber began to stimulate every facet of this community. It established Cullman’s first curb market, sought to obtain
state and federal assistance for construction of an airport, pursued new industry, and engaged in the development of a
parks and recreation department.
What a rich history we have. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as your new President. I will endeavor to “keep
the torch lit” as we move forward toward prosperity and an even better way of life.
With that being said, let me personally invite you to attend the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s 70th Annual
Meeting and Gala. This will not only be a time to report the Chamber’s activities in 2012 but it will also be a time of
celebration: A celebration of where we have been and where we are going. Like our very first Annual Meeting in 1944,
we will have music and food and fellowship. We will revisit the past in some unique ways and look toward our future
with a renewed sense of confidence. Attendance is limited, so be sure and make your reservation today through the
Chamber office.
With Great Anticipation,
At A Glance
?
Cullman County
Oil Spill Claims
District 11
Candidates’ Forum
Chamber 70th
Annual Meeting & Gala
Fourth Friday
Sponsored by:
February 22
The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee will host its annual “State
of the Community” luncheon meeting on Friday, February 22. The luncheon
meeting, sponsored by Cullman Electric Cooperative, will be held at
Stone Bridge Lodge & Manor located at 157 County Road 717, Cullman,
AL 35055. Doors will open at 11:30 AM to allow members to network before
the program begins at 11:50 AM.
In addition to great networking, Mayors from Baileyton, Colony, Dodge City,
Fairview, Garden City, Good Hope, Hanceville, Holly Pond, South Vinemont
& West Point have been invited to share their plans and vision for their
communities in 2013.
Reservations are required. The cost, which includes lunch, is $10 per
person for Chamber members and $20 per person for “Future” members.
For more information, or to make a reservation, please contact the Chamber at info@cullmanchamber.org or by telephone at 256-734-0454.
State of the Community
?
2013-14 Chamber Officers Selected
The Chamber’s 2013-14 Officers were recently selected at a meeting of
the Board of Directors. The new leadership group will serve on the
Chamber’s Executive Committee beginning on March 1, 2013. We’re extremely fortunate as an organization and as a community to have outstanding individuals such as these serving in a leadership role for the coming
year. Their commitment to the Chamber and our Cullman area community
is unparalleled and we look forward to a fantastic year.
Serving on the Chamber’s 2013-14 Executive Committee will be:
Chair
Melissa Cartee, Cullman Electric Cooperative
Chair-elect
Jim Weidner, Cullman Regional Medical Center
Vice Chair, Business Development
Jason Grimmett, Drinkard Development, Inc.
Vice-Chair, Community & Workforce Development
Perry Shields, Alabama Technology Network-Cullman/Hanceville
Vice-Chair, Finance & Administration
Jason White, The Final Touch
Vice-Chair, Membership & Marketing
Gloria Williams, Freedom Insurance, The Gloria Williams Agency
Cullman Area
information requests
Vice-Chair, Tourism & Recreation
Sammie Danford, Cullman County Economic Development
- Group Tour Packets requested.....1
- Visitor Packets requested............29
- Planning or Considering A Move
Packets requested.........................7
- Business Packets requested.........2
Immediate Past Chair
Charles NeSmith, Merchants Bank of Alabama
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1104 | Cullman, AL 35056-1104 | info@cullmanchamber.org
Tel: 256-734-0454 | Fax 256-737-7443
www.cullmanchamber.org | www.visitcullman.org
Like Us on Facebook!
facebook.com/cullman.chamber
3,034 Likes...and growing!
The Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cullman Times are hosting a
Candidates’ Forum on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 for the District 11 Alabama House
of Representatives race. This Forum will be held at the All Steak Restaurant (314
Second Avenue SW) in their 3rd Floor Banquet Room from 11:30AM to 1:00PM.
The purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for Chamber members and the
business community to meet and gather information from candidates running for
District 11 Alabama House of Representatives and ultimately make an informed
decision. Reservations are required. The cost, which includes lunch, is $10 per
person for Chamber members and $20 per person for “Future” members. For more
information, or to make a reservation, please contact the Chamber at
info@cullmanchamber.org or by telephone at 256-734-0454.
Quality of Life Day!
The 2012-2013 Youth Leadership Cullman County Class
recently held “Quality of life Day”. The students visited many
places in Cullman that service the community with healthcare
and education. They visited with the students of the Cullman
County Center for Developmentally Disabled and the Cullman
Child Development Center. The students also toured The
Good Samaritan Health clinic and Cullman Regional Medical
Center. While at CRMC, President Jim Weidner spoke to the
students about the hospital and the medical field. Many of the
students are very interested in medical and education fields,
so being able to speak with so many different kinds healthcare
and educational professionals all in one day was very
beneficial to them. We would like to thank everyone who was
evolved with the YLCC “Quality of Life” day. For more information
about the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program, contact Erika
Mead at the Chamber at (256) 366-0722 or via e-mail at
emead@cullmanchamber.org.
The students in front of Cullman Regional Medical Center where they meet with Jim Weidner and toured the Hospital.
The Youth Leadership program is made possible through the financial support of Chamber member sponsors. The Chamber would like to thank the
current sponsors for support of the program:
If you are interested in sponsoring this worthwhile program, please contact the Chamber at 256-734-0454 or at info@cullmanchamber.org.
“Chamber Tour held in January
was amazing!”
Members of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce toured the Advanced
Visualization Center at Wallace State Community College. This was a great
opportunity to peak into the future of technology and view yet another valued
resource that Wallace State is offering to the
community. The value of this program to this
community is beyond measure.
Kudos to the team at Wallace State for
continuing to lead the way.
Dean Johnny McMoy, Wallace State; Donny Florence, Cullman Casting; Kevin Jackson, Jamie Troutman, City Economic
Development; Jay Brown, EBI member; Martha Drake, Liberty Tax; Tony Glover, Alabama Extension office; Ashley Lackey, ATN;
Athel Wilhite, Chamber member; Jessica Waldrop, EBI member; Rep. Mac Buttram; Mike Manning, Cullman Power Board;
Bob Burns, City of Cullman, Municipal Airport; Bruce Tenison, Director AVC; William Weaver, Simulation and Modeling
Developer
THIS YEAR’S “DON’T MISS” EVENT!
NEW MEMBERS!
(as of 01/28/13)
Sears Hometown Store
Mr. Dean Taylor
(256) 739-3001
1726 Cherokee Avenue SW,
Suite A
Cullman, AL 35055
dean@webbpayroll.com
Webb Payroll Service, Inc.
Mr. Devin Errett
(256) 701-1280
P.O. Box 756
Gardendale, AL 35072
devin@webbpayroll.com
Payroll Services
Successful Festival Inflatables
& Party Supplies
Ms. Angela Robertson
(256) 708-5973
1665 County Road 798
Cullman, AL 35055
Event Rentals
Becky Flack — Culpepper &
Associates, LLC
Ms. Becky Flack
(256) 737-0740
209 Ninth Street SW
Cullman, AL 35055
Associate
Principal Financial Group
Mr. Jason Zinsmeister
(256) 297-1099
1724 2nd Avenue NW
Cullman, AL 35055
zinsmeister.jason@princor.com
Insurance
University of North Alabama - Thank you for your time and
assistance with our “Employer Survey.”
This brief survey is intended to find out the skills that employers desire when they hire a
new college graduate. This information will be used to identify the skill set required/
desired so The University of North Alabama can better prepare their future graduates.
http://unair.us2.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6XtAzyADhKfMu0t
Congratulations!
Candra Cornelius
West Point Middle School
2013
Cullman County
Spelling Bee Winner!
Thank You!
to the following RENEWALS!
We appreciate your continued investment!
(as of 01/28/13)
A-1 Bail Bonds
Action Resources
Airport Windsock Cafe
AJ Associates, Inc./ People, Inc.
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Alabama Credit Union
Avon Products, Inc.
Burks Brothers Pools & Spas LLC
Cake-N-Eat It 2
Carmike 10 Cullman, AL
CDG Engineers & Associates, Inc.
Chappell Distributing
City of Hanceville
Cleaning & More, Inc.
Coast Gas
College Tire
Crosshaven Baptist Church
Cullman Area Career Center
Cullman Art Guild
Cullman Christian School
Cullman Downtown Merchants Association
Cullman Florist
Cullman Real Estate Inc.
Cyber Broadband Inc
Dr. Dan Darnell
Earl's Body Shop, Inc.
Friends of Cullman Animal Shelter (FoCAS)
Gentiva Hospice
Gold Rush Jewelers
Horizon Surgical, P.C.
Hunan Chinese Buffet
Inland Buildings/Schulte Building Systems
JIM N NICK'S BAR-B-Q
Joe Caretti Auto Service, Inc
Joiner Construction Company, Inc.
Mr. Jay Brown
Nearen Construction Company, Inc
North Alabama Agriplex
North Alabama Fabricating Co., Inc.
Quality I/N Signs & Outdoor Advertising
RJ Young Company
Sacred Heart Church
Santex, Inc.
Security Finance
Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of
Our Lady of the Angels Monastery
State Farm Insurance & Financial Services-- Mickey Parrish
Stone Bridge Lodge & Manor
Sun Loan Company
Sweet Peppers Deli
Target Pest Control
The Community Shopper's Guide, Inc.
The Pavilion
The Rotunda
The Teacher Supply, LLC
Three Pears Shoe Outlet
Town of Fairview
TriGreen Equipment, LLC
Veal Convention Services
Willoughby Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc.