Chamber. the. Executive Director. January Calendar. Chamber After Hours

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1 the Chamber Volume XXXII No. 1 Bell Tower Building Cumberland, MD January 2014 Executive Director At the Chamber Economic Development Committee s regular meeting in December, representatives from nearly twenty agencies, committees, commissions and organizations met to discuss their role in economic development. The Chamber s board room was filled to capacity as the attendees also discussed ways to develop a collaborative support structure for all involved. This preliminary conversation, though just a start, was very encouraging. All in attendance looked favorably on the idea of sharing information regularly, developing a shared vision and coordinating efforts as we work together to make that vision for our community a reality. There is much to look forward to in the coming months. Allegany College of Maryland has formed a stakeholder group and taken the lead in the Maryland Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) program, the Cities of Cumberland and Frostburg and the Cumberland Allegany County Industrial Foundation (CACIF) have executed a Municipal Economic Development Cooperative Memorandum of Understanding and the City of Cumberland has released a Request for Proposal for the development of a Strategic Economic Development Plan for the City. As discussions continue, I look forward to more collaboration. By working together we will move our community forward. At the Chamber s Annual Membership Meeting, held on December 5 th, six very qualified board members were elected. Elected as new board members were Rodney Barker, U.S. Cellular, Dr. David Cox, Allegany County Board of Education, and Jeffrey Hutter, TWR Communications. Re-elected to the board were Renee Adams, Adams Family Funeral Home, Stacey Bingaman, First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union, and Robert Garner, CBIZ Benefits and Insurance Services. Elected to serve as officers were James Snake Robertson, Western Maryland JATC, as Chairman, Maureen Brewer, First United Bank and Trust, as First Vice Chair and Jeremy Irons, Carl Belt, Inc., as Second Vice Chair. Stacey Bingaman, First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union, will serve as Immediate Past Chairman. Congratulations! Thank you to all outgoing board members for your service and commitment to the Chamber and the community. It has been a pleasure working for you. On December 12 th, the Chamber s Holiday Reception, sponsored by AES Warrior Run, Aircon Engineering, Allegany Aggregates, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Potomac Edison, Rusco Home Improvement, and State Farm Insurance Terry McLarney, was held at Windsor Castle. Thank you to Amy Shillingburg, Rusco Home Improvement, and the Holiday Reception Committee for pulling it all together and to all who attended this popular event. Well done! The Chamber After Hours program resumes on Wednesday, January 15 th at Rocky Gap Casino Resort. The Network & Win cash drawing is $1,250 and the pre-registration deadline is Thursday, January 9 th. The Chamber looks forward to continuing to serve its members in 2014 by providing expanded networking, marketing and educational opportunities in addition to being a force to bring about positive change. At the core of the Chamber s mission is to function as an organization that attends to challenging matters which impact the advancement of businesses and the community. We will continue to promote matters of change openly, objectively and reasonably while nurturing a spirit of deliberate review. Together we will make great things happen. Stu Czapski Executive Director Chamber After Hours Wednesday, January 15, :30 to 7:30 pm Hosted by Rocky Gap Casino Resort January Calendar January 9 7:30 am Education Committee Mtg. January 10 12:30 pm Chamber Board of Directors Annual Retreat Cumberland Country Club January 15 8:00 am Economic Development Committee Meeting Noon Legislative Committee Meeting 5:30 7:30 pm Chamber After Hours Rocky Gap Casino Resort January 21 8:00 am Leadership Allegany! Committee Meeting January 29 Noon Legislative Committee Meeting

2 Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chamber Holiday Reception Pictured from the left: Terry McLarney, State Farm, Terry McLarney Sue Rudd, AES Warrior Run Eric and Beth Emerick, AIRCON Engineering Conrad Suter,Enterprise Rent A Car Chelsey Kane, Enterprise Rent A Car Amy Shillingburg, Rusco Home Improvement Bob Smith, Allegany Aggregates, Inc. Stu Czapski, Chamber of Commerce Absent when the photo was taken was John Emerick, Potomac Edison. Holiday Reception Photos

3 ALLEGANY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE presents CHAMBER AFTER HOURS sponsored by ROCKY GAP CASINO RESORT EVENT CENTER ALLEGHENY ROOM WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15th, :30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. The newly renovated, amenity packed Rocky Gap Casino Resort. The perfect venue that is Well Suited for any meeting or event. Make the most of your work time and down time all in one place. NOW AVAILABLE... Newly constructed ballroom, meeting rooms, executive board rooms and private dining rooms with a full suite of technology & service for your next event Hit your winning streak with our action packed table games & thrilling slots Embrace your escape in our 200 newly updated rooms Golf in style on Maryland s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course Tantalize your taste buds in our four Restaurants Rejuvenate your mind, body and soul in our Garden Spa Network and Win $1, Admission Charge: $5.00 per person at the door *Chamber Members must be PRE-REGISTERED & PRESENT at the time of drawing to win. All attendees must be 21 years of age. PRE-REGISTRATION FORM: RSVP to the Chamber Office by Thursday, 1/9/14 by 5:00 P.M. Organization Name: Member Names: Guest Names: Return to: Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, Bell Tower Building, 24 Frederick Street, Cumberland, MD Phone: amy@alleganycountychamber.com Exit 50 off I-68 Cumberland, MD rockygapresort.com Maryland law requires an individual to be 21 years of age or older in order to enter the gaming floor or play video lottery terminals. Please play responsibly, for help visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call

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8 Member Profile: Vision-Media Publications Tom Striplin Vision-Media Productions is a small electronic media company owned and operated by Tom Striplin. The sole proprietorship company has been operating in Allegany County since Vision-Media Publications has focused primarily on web page design and hosting for small to medium non-profit entities and professional association groups. Since that time, the small home based company has expanded its range of services to include print & electronic media production and custom programming. Many smaller professional association groups can no longer find someone within their membership base to maintain and support services such as web sites and media distribution. This is the niche that Vision-Media Productions has been filling for those types of associations. Many of the people that I provide services for I either know personally, or have been recommended by someone who is a friend. The goal of Vision-Media has never been to get real big and compete with other local web service companies. I do not advertise, nor do I maintain an active website for my business because I want to control the growth and continue to do something I enjoy at a pace of my choosing commented Striplin. The web design and hosting market has become saturated and hackers are making it very difficult to support web sites. Vision-Media has recently branched out into custom programming work creating Smart PDF forms. Custom PDF forms that can perform complex calculations are valuable for both business and the customer. Many customers have little knowledge of Excel, and sending that type of file for a customer to fill out is not always the best approach to get the information you need. A smart PDF form provides the look and feel of a real company form. It has the capability to collect information and perform calculations on the data at the same time. I prefer to do custom projects within my knowledge base and ability. If I feel the project is too big or too involved, I am happy to refer it to other providers in this local area who are capable of doing that type of work commented Striplin. For more information on Vision-Media Publications Contact: Tom Striplin tom.striplin@icloud.com TAKE ACTION Legislative Tool Mark Your Calendars 2014 Events The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce provides access to a valuable legislative tool for our members. The Chamber Action Network simplifies the grassroots lobbying process at not only the state and federal level but at the local level as well. The Chamber Action Network provides an opportunity for members to connect to elected officials simply by touching a button. Once registered, the program automatically matches you to your elected officials. Talking points or sample messages are available to assist you in constructing letters, s or faxes on current key issues. The website keeps our members informed of current political activities that affect our area and then connects you directly with your elected officials making you an active participant in the political process. To access this legislative tool please follow the directions listed: Allegany County Chamber of Commerce TAKE ACTION Connect to: Click on Legislative Advocacy to follow the link to Maryland Chamber Action Network. Under the Take Action tab, find the Take Action topics: Legislative Alerts Key Votes Legislator Lookup Legislative Resources Choose an Alert and follow the directions to Take Action! New users must register first. User Profile: enter name, and address (home and business) for a complete listing of your legislators. Returning Users must enter address and zip code. The website may also be accessed directly at: Crab Feast Friday, August 1, 2014 Annual Membership Meeting Thursday, December 4, 2014

9 2014 Board of Directors CHAIRMAN James J. Snake Robertson Western Maryland JATC FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN Maureen T. Brewer First United Bank and Trust SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN Jeremy G. Irons Carl Belt, Inc. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Stacey L. Bingaman First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union Committee Chairs for 2014 Economic Development Committee...Kim B. Leonard Vice-Chair Rebecca L. Ruppert Education Committee...James J. Snake Robertson Vice-Chair Mary Beth Strickler Finance Committee...Richard J. Hoover Fun Raising Committee Crab Feast...Michael W. McKay Expo...Nicole R. Wigfield Vice Chair Kristen M. Hillebrecht Leadership Allegany!... Charles L. Croft, Jr. Vice Chair Sara-Beth James Legislative Committee... E. William DuVall II Vice Chair Patsy R. Koontz Membership Committee... Stephen D. Nelson Vice Chair Rodney W. Barker Renee L. Adams Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A. Rodney W. Barker U. S. Cellular William G. Boyer III Chick-Fil-A in the Country Club Mall Dr. David A. Cox Allegany County Board of Education David A. Eberly Allegany County Board of Commissioners Robert H. Garner CBIZ Life Insurance Solutions J. Jeffrey Hutter TWR Communications Debra M. Langan Langan General Contracting Corporation/Anchor Homes of LGC Steve K. MacGray Foxcraft Homes Gary E. McKenzie TWR Communications Matthew T. Shipway MSDE Division of Rehabilitation Services Stephen M. Spahr Frostburg State University J. Troy Thomas ATK-ABL Operations Nicole L. Wagoner Fairfield Inn and Suites New Member Please patronize this new member and welcome them to the Chamber. Mark E. Snapp and Associates 815 Bridge Road Charleston, West Virginia Fax: Website: Contact: Mark E. Snapp, Owner-Agent Category: Insurance, Health Insurance/Consultants Description: Employee benefits since 1995, self funded health plans for groups with 5 or more enrolled employees Inclement Weather Policy If you are wondering if a committee meeting or Chamber event will be held during inclement weather, please contact the Chamber office at The Chamber s voice mail will be programmed to include details of any cancellation or time change that may be necessary due to snow or inclement weather conditions. the Chamber The Chamber News is published monthly by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Bell Tower Building 24 Frederick Street, Cumberland, Maryland Fax info@alleganycountychamber.com Stuart C. Czapski, Executive Director Allegany County Chamber of Commerce 2014 Officers Chairman: James J. Snake Robertson First Vice Chairman: Maureen T. Brewer Second Vice Chairman: Jeremy G. Irons Immediate Past Chairman: Stacey L. Bingaman