Banquet recap and thank you's!

Almost 300 Chamber members gathered last week for our 60th Annual Membership Meeting & Banquet, held at the beautiful Gateway Conference Center in Richburg. This special evening would not have been possible without the financial contributions of our event sponsors nor the hard work of the many volunteers who came together to plan and carry out the night's activities. A special congratulations to Abby Brunson, named 2018 Chamber Board Chair, to Tony Pope, the 2018 Duke Energy Award Winner, and to Rick Jiran who was recognized and honored for his commitment to the Chamber by former Duke Energy winners.

Photos courtesy of Ed Sharpe & Nancy Parsons. Please visit our Facebook page for hundreds of fun photos!

‌

Tony Pope, left, is presented his award by Duke Vice President Rick Jiran

Pope Receives Citizenship Award

Tony Pope, Senior Vice President of First Citizens Bank, and a former Board Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, was awarded the prestigious Duke Energy Citizenship Award. This award was established to honor a person or company who makes a difference in their community by using their time, talents and compassion of others to positively impact the lives around them. The award winner is selected each year by the Chamber Board of Directors.

Jiran honored for his dedication

On behalf of all past Duke Energy Award Winners, Bill Bundy, Bobby Holcombe, David McCain, and Bessie Vastis presented Rick Jiran with an appreciation award to honor his ongoing commitment and dedication to the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Jiran, the Vice President of Community Relations for Duke Energy South Carolina, has been a staunch supporter of the Chester County Chamber over the years and a willing (and entertaining) volunteer at Chamber functions.

2018 Board of Directors

The 2018 Board of Directors will be chaired by Great Falls resident Abby Brunson. Mrs. Brunson follows 2017 Chair Chris Winters. Under Mr. Winters, the Chamber added dozens of new members and additional programs. Click here to see the 2017 Year In Review video!

Abby Brunson , 2018 Chair. Global Career Development Facilitator—Chester County School District

Chris Winters , Past Chair. Vice President, Administration—Sun Fiber

Matt McCrorey , Treasurer. Vice President—Spratt Savings & Loan

Clay Barbour , Branch Manager—Founders Federal Credit Union

Valencia Bolden , HR Generalist—Boise Cascade

Earl Moore , General Manager—WGCD

Chet Tucker , Director—Chester County YMCA

Stacy Scott, Director—York Technical College Chester Center

Everett Stubbs , Partner—Gaston, Marion & Stubbs P.A.

Albertha Woodard, Administrative Lab Director—Chester Regional Medical Center

Chamber Ambassadors: Autumn Castles , TruVista Communications; Elizabeth & Dave Claytor , Inn Upon Blue River Plantation; Becky Crouch , Chester County School District; Kristin Fairfax , Chester County United Way; Heather Ford , Spratt Savings & Loan; Nancy Forlaw , Chester County; Tracey Gibson , Founders Federal Credit Union; Yvonne Jackson , WGCD Radio; Donna Lawrence , York Technical College; Brandy Mullennax , Richard Winn Academy; Nancy Parsons , Great Falls Reporter ; Judy Ramsey , Lewisville Medical Center; Paul Singal, Multi Items Exim Limited ; Angel Underwood , Chester County Magistrate; LeTanya Williams , Battered But Not Broken; Christy Wilborn , Chris Gaddy State Farm

Banquet Announcements:

Celebrate with us in 2018 as these members reach milestone memberships this year! These business leaders understand the value of a long-term investment in their community. Thank you.

35th Anniversary

Spratt Savings & Loan

30th Anniversary

Bethel United Methodist Church

25th Anniversary

Chester Senior Services; ATI Allvac; Hy-Gloss Paint & Body Shop; Guardian Industries; Chester County School District

20th Anniversary

Girl Scouts of SC-Mountains to Midlands; Town of Richburg; Super 8 Motel; CANCO; Gala Affairs; Whitlock Hamilton, LLC

15th Anniversary

Allstate Insurance-Waldrep Agency; Chester Rotary Club; Jackson Hewitt Tax Service; Ligon Productions, Inc.; Winters Law Firm; Deck the Halls Christmas Shop

10th Anniversary

First Citizens; Hazel Pittman Center; Nationwide Insurance-Will Smith; Carolina Electrical Services; Chester United Way; COATEX, INC.; Republic Fasteners Products Corp.; The Front Porch; Land’s Tire Center; Oliphant & Company, Inc.; Palmetto Plaza; B&B Stump Grinding; Chester Friends of the Animals; Hunter’s Creative Florist; Joe’s Truck & Auto Repair; Richburg Supply Company; Specialty Polymers; BB&C Copy Express; Black’s Drug Store, Chester Economic Development; IGA/KJ’s Market; Catawba Regional Education Center; Goodyear Accounting; Mississippi Lime Company; Chester County Library; Great Falls Library; Dr. H. C. Starnes, Jr.; Chester ARP Church; Shannon Dental Clinic; Wal-Mart; Kelly Services; Econo Lounge/Relax Inn; Housing Authority of the City of Chester

5th Anniversary

Anne Collins (ABC Celebrations); H&H Fire Safety; Italian Garden; CarQuest Auto Parts; SC Vocational Rehabilitation; Alpine Agency; Creative Catering & Events; Bob Sweetman; J. Scott’s Catering; Agape Hospice

Mark Your Calendars NOW

Chamber Board Meetings: Second Monday @ Noon

Ambassadors: Thursday @ Noon after board meeting

Lunch with Legislators: Friday, March 2 @ the Gateway. Co-sponsored with Chester County Economic Development

Lunch & Learns—Co-sponsored with York Technical College Chester Center.

March 28: Generational Diversity in the Workplace

May 16: Fast Start Web Design

September 19: Critical Thinking in Workplace Emergencies

November 14: Must Know Excel Techniques

All lunch meetings at 11:30 a.m. at York Technical College Chester Center.

HR Café: Co-sponsored by Winters Law Firm, Chester Economic Development Association, SC Works. Free and open to all Chamber members. Lunch included (compliments of Winters Law)-RSVP required. The Gateway @ noon. February 26, April 23, June 25, August 27, October 22, &

December 3

Skeet Shoot: March 29, Rocky Creek Sporting Clays

Administrative Professionals Day: April 25, War Memorial Building

Teacher Appreciation: May 2, The Gateway

Chamber Cinco de Mayo Run/Walk: May 5

Graduation Ceremonies (scholarship awards): Last full week of May

Golf Tournament: October 11, Chester Golf Course

Christmas Parades: Great Falls, Chester, Richburg, Lando, Lowrys

Christmas in Chester: First Saturday in December-event hosted at Chamber

Lunch Bunch: Informal gathering of members for lunch at area restaurants

HR Roundtable: Specifically for HR Directors and Managers. 11:30 a.m. on the 3rd Friday of each month—the Gateway.

Plant Manager Roundtable: TBA

Small Business Development Council-Free individual consultation meetings held on the 1st Wednesday of the month at The Chamber. Call for an appointment.

Ribbon Cuttings: & Business After Hours: As offered by businesses-new and current members

Small Business Management Series: see advertisement at left for dates

Thanks again!

OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

Chester County Economic Development— Use of

The Gateway Conference Center

Roseburg Forest Products “Jazz Hour”

TruVista Communications - Keynote address

Landscaping & Mower & Chester Healthcare Foundation— Flower Arrangements

Global Recruiters of Rock Hill— Programs

Chester Rental Uniform— Tablecloths

AME Fabrication —Trophies

Multi Item Exim Limited & Duke Energy —Chef-inspired Desserts

Chester Regional Medical Center— Pens

Table Sponsors:

Chester Healthcare Foundation; Spratt Savings & Loan; Town of Richburg;

York Technical College; Winters Law Firm

A special thank you to the following members who made our event more special through their hard work and discounted services:

Board of Directors

Ambassadors

Kimberly Starnes & Thomas Jordan-The Gateway team

Hunter’s Creative Florist

J. Scott Catering

Rhinos, Chester Jazz & Blues Band, and BB&C Copy Express