|
 |
| |
Loading
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Board Membership Exp. 2011
The following Board members started their term Jan. 1, 2008 and will exit the Board Dec. 31, 2011.
|
|
Michael T. Schmitz, Widmer Roel PC
Michael T. Schmitz is a stockholder and managing partner of the Bismarck and Hazen offices for Widmer Roel PC. A newcomer to the Chamber Board, Michael says he honored to serve and sees the value that this volunteer position will provide his company.
"I am a firm believer that the more you give the more you receive, as such my service to the Chamber has allowed me to develop business and personal relationships that have made me a better person," he said.
Michael says his inclusion on the Board means that members have one more person looking out for their best interests. "Board members have a responsibility to the entire membership and I will always keep that in mind during my service," he said.
In the years ahead, Michael hopes to help the Board make good decisions to stimulate Chamber and Bismarck-Mandan business community growth.
|
Jeff Neuberger, Mid-Dakota Clinic Primecare
Jeff Neuberger is the chief executive officer of the Mid Dakota Clinic and has served on the Chamber Board of Directors for that past year and a half. Jeff is the only board member representing the health care industry, which he believes is an asset. Members may agree, especially considering the hefty legislative changes health care has seen of late.
According to Jeff, his inclusion on the board makes him more aware of the business issues in the community and puts him in a position to influence the business environment.
Looking head, Jeff says, "I would like to see the Chamber membership grow and I also would like to set some measurable goals and objectives for our Chamber to accomplish."
|
Mike O'Keeffe, Farm Credit Services
Mike is the CEO/president of Farm Credit Services of Mandan, a company he's served for more than 37 years; he's spent 30 of those years at the Mandan location.
According to Mike, membership on the Chamber board gives him the chance to get involved and to give back to the community. He sees participation as a way to contribute a little time for all of the pleasure he has from living in this community.
"Agriculture is the key industry in our state. Agriculture needs to be continually promoted as to its importance. As each generation gets farther from having their parents, grandparents and great grandparents who farmed and ranched, it gets increasingly important to the story of the importance of having a save, reliable and stable food supply and where that food comes from," Mike says.
Mike hopes to share agriculture's story with the business community and get the general business community to support the importance of agriculture to this state and to their businesses.
In 2010, Mike is eager to spread the message about the importance of agriculture and the importance of agriculturally related businesses to the Bismarck-Mandan community.
|
TJ Russell, Cloverdale Foods
|
Perrie Schafer, Schafer Financial, Inc.
Perrie owns three companies: Schafer Financial Group, Inc., which is a wealth management group; Environmental Services, LTD, an engineered power and industrial sales company; and ESL Management Co., which offers management services to companies and individuals that chose to outsource invoicing, collections, travel services, budgeting, project sourcing, etc.
According to Perrie, board membership is a great way to meet other business people and to get an appreciation what they are thinking concerning the issues that come before them in daily business. He also sees it as a way to express his views and hopefully work toward a common goal of finding ethical ways to bring more business to the area and to help influence good solid business practice.
"I hope it [inclusion on the board] means that I am well rounded in business and that I have ample experience in handling daily problems and understand what it takes to run a business, meet a payroll, keep quality people employed and in order to keep business working, and profitable, look into the future to see what has to changed or upgraded or looked into, in order to keep great people employed and happy. I hope it means that I am just like many of them in that I must be diligent in finding ways to do the best job we can, serving my customers and finding new customers that want to buy my products and services and that like other business owners out there, their opinion matters and I can be there spokes person at the board level."
Perrie anticipates continued involvement in 2010. He wants to help the community stand out from the normal city and draw in more business that truly provides long term employment and to help influence decision makers to make decisions that help business not hinder it.
|
Doran Schwartz, MDU Resources Group
Doran Schwartz is the VP/CFO of MDU Resources Group, Inc. He has served on the Chamber Board of Directors for the past two years. According to Doran, participation on the board presents a great opportunity to network with local leaders. He appreciates the chance to help provide support to the Chamber to deal with local, regional and national issues.
When asked what his involvement on the board means to members, Doran comically responded, "You'll probably need to ask them." He then stated that working for a company with national exposure may provide perspective to the opportunities in North Dakota and Bismarck-Mandan.
In the year ahead, Doran looks forward to working with the board and sub-board committees to provide the Chamber with guidance and support for the financial and strategic agenda Kelvin and staff set out to accomplish.
|
Greg Vetter, American Bank Center
Greg Vetter has served on the Chamber Board of Directors for the past two years. He is the Bismarck Market President of American Bank Center. Greg's involvement on the board helps him stay connected. "It is a great way for me to keep abreast on the key issues facing business - on the local, state and national level. It is also an effective way for me to network," he says.
Greg's economics and financial services expertise makes him a resource for Chamber members via the board and their decisions that drive business growth.
2010 is going to be about education, according to Greg. His goal is to clearly understand what is going on in Washington to assist the membership on the impacts for their business. Greg's top three concerns for business are cap and trade legislation, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, and the impact of the newly enacted health care reform.
|
|
|
 |
| |
