Bay Area Chamber Commentary

by Michael D. Seward, President & CEO

February 4, 2014
By: Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Laurie Bush, Century 21 Signature Realty, is the 2014 Chair of your Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

A top priority of the Chamber for 2014 includes leading efforts to develop and improve beaches and waterfront recreational opportunities on the Saginaw Bay, including development of the Paraleon Pier, restaurants and related beach and water oriented retail and recreational developments.

The Chamber will also work with the Bay Area Community Foundation and local governmental and business leaders to implement the new Strategic Community Plan designed to help improve Bay City and Bay County.

Al Blinke, General Manager of WNEM TV5 is 2014 Chair-Elect of the Chamber.

Pat O'Brien, EMCOR Inc., is Immediate Past Chair and Brian Haraga, Michigan Sugar Company is Treasurer.

Vice Chairs of the Board for 2014 include:

Public Affairs - Michael Stodolak, Independent Bank

Education/Workforce Development - John Mertz, Essexville-Hampton Public Schools

Business Assistance & Activities - Michael Hanisko, Weinlander Fitzhugh

Membership Development - Barbara Engelhardt, Farm Bureau Insurance

Four newly elected directors also took office in January. They are: Ryan Carley, FirstMerit Bank; Brent Gettel, Chemical Bank; Rick Goedert, 1st State Bank; and Norman Kapala, Consumers Energy-Karn/Weadock Generating Complex.

Twenty volunteer committees consisting of hundreds of local business leaders are charged with carrying out 65 objectives designed to help improve the economic climate, business environment and quality of living in the Bay Area.