|
 |
|
|||
|
|
||
|
|||
December 2005 • Volume 2, Issue 12 This issue home | Past issues | Chamber home A Strong Heart, A Fast Pulse 2005 Chairman Charles Eisemann Says The Chamber Is In "Great Shape" Coming in January's newsletter: A preview by 2006 Chairman Paul Voelker.
Presiding over the last board meeting of his tenure as 2005 chairman of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 16, Charles Eisemann gave a thumbs-up review of 2005 and a healthy diagnosis for the organization in 2006. After completing the meeting's consent agenda, action items, divisional and president's reports, and open discussion, Eisemann concluded the meeting with his observations on the year which was just six weeks to completion. He took time to thank Chamber President and CEO Bill Sproull, who had taken over in November 2004, as well as the entire Chamber staff. “It's been a pleasure to work with Bill and the whole team,” he said. “We have made some improvements and innovations this year at the Richardson Chamber, especially to board meetings,” he noted. “This included a board meeting held on-site at the Texas Instruments RFAB construction site at Renner and Alma roads, which included a walking tour of the construction site. It was a hot day in June but the scope of the construction and the impact that this million-square-foot facility will have on our community was obvious to all who participated. “In addition, in August, the board took a bus tour of Richardson to become more knowledgeable about all areas of the city and so we'd have a common basis to discuss business issues affecting Richardson companies, as well as the opportunities and status of current and major new commercial office, tech, retail, and residential projects. “We also added agenda items which may have been controversial, such as the opinions of business owners along Campbell Road that would be affected by the proposed Campbell Road underpass project, the use of eminent domain on the Two Creeks project, and other topics. “Despite other competing business priorities and the travel schedules of board members, we always had a quorum and our board meetings were efficient – they started on time. They also ended on time, if not early,” he added. “The lifeblood of a Chamber is its new members and we held the most successful membership drive in the Richardson Chamber's history, bringing in 164 new members during the three-day spring campaign. Meanwhile, we were also better this year in our rate of retaining members. “During 2005, the economic outlook for Richardson improved, with jobs up and tax revenues to the city increasing, and we saw positive absorption in the leasing of commercial office space. “The Chamber's partnership with the City of Richardson, the Richardson Economic Development Partnership (REDP) is very strong and has a bright future. Although we haven't recruited any name-brand retailers, we expect that our prospects will improve as the economy continues its upward movement and more workers are added to the consumer base, and as various mixed use and retail developments such as The Shire, Two Creeks and Richardson Square Mall, progress. “I'm particularly pleased with the financial stewardship at the Chamber now,” he stated. “I have complete confidence in the financial process that has been put in place – it is open, honest, clean and there's no messing around. From a budget forecast last year that predicted a loss at yearend, the Chamber is now expected to realize a budget on the positive side of the ledger, with cash reserves significantly increased. Eisemann gave special thanks and credit for significant financial process improvements not only to Chamber President and CEO Bill Sproull but also to past President Bob Kaiser, plus Finance and Budget Committee members Scott Jessen, Jerry Durham and Richard Ramey, And he recognized the Chamber's Director of Accounting Marion Alkire for his dedicated efforts. Looking ahead to 2006, Eisemann said: “I believe that the Chamber is in great shape as an organization which meets the needs of its business members, performs a vital role in the economic health of the city, stimulates strong economic development, and continues to be held in the highest respect by other Chambers of Commerce and partner organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and across the state. “We will have a dynamic new chairman, Paul Voelker of Hewlett-Packard Company, a strong Executive Committee comprising of:
Eisemann looked forward to his new role, as past chairman, on the Executive Committee and as head of the Nominating Committee for the 2007 board. He thanked the members of the 2005 Board of Directors and Advisory Board for their time and dedication to the Chamber, as well as to those returning and new board members for 2006. The mandates, primary goals and activities of the various Chamber divisions and committees were discussed and fleshed out by the divisional vice chairs and committee chairs during the Chamber's annual Program of Work, a fun teambuilding event held in October. “We have the plan -- and the people -- in place for a great 2006.” Eisemann completed his remarks with a commercial plug for an event he will emcee next year -- the Chamber's Annual Banquet on Thursday, February 9 at the Renaissance Hotel -- which will feature guest speaker, Ed Whitacre, chairman of the board of AT&T Inc., the newly combined SBC and AT&T companies. “Considering that announcement, the banquet should be a fantastic event. Our goal is to fill the ballroom to capacity, with 900 people. We have an integrated event marketing plan for the banquet and have initiated the publicity generation machine so I encourage you to make your reservations early,” he urged board members.
|
|
Top Stories
More Top Stories In Every Issue
|
| Action News is a monthly publication of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Communications Department. Contact the editor. To unsubscribe, e-mail administrator@telecomcorridor.com. Please provide your name, company, phone number and e-mail address. |
