Chamber celebrates past, present, future of organization
Hoffman Estates area residents and business leaders gathered recently to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and the winter solstice at one festive event.
When the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce presented its 18th Holiday Luncheon and Volunteer Recognition on Dec. 5, members greeted each other warmly, dined on a meal in the Marriott Northwest in Prairie Stone and shared the news of the holidays. They also recognized and thanked the outgoing board of directors, and welcomed its new governing board.
Outgoing President Tony LaFrenere of the Hoffman Estates Park District acted as master of ceremonies. LaFrenere offered thanks to Past President Georgeanna Mehr of the Hoffman Estates Community Bank and retired state Rep. Terry Parke of Secure Services Corp., both of whom served many years on the board of directors but opted to take a break.
"It's been a quick two years," LaFrenere said, as members gave him a loud ovation. "I remember calling Georgeanna and asking her what it was like to serve as president."
Mehr, who preceded LaFrenere as gavel holder, said the chamber benefited by LaFrenere's dedication and hard work.
His last official act as president was to present newly-proclaimed positions to two extremely active folks, both of whom retired recently. The chamber offered its first such honorary memberships to Caryn Amster and Jack Fehlandt. Both were charter members and involved with many committees and projects.
Amster owned Custom Marketing Associates and Fehlandt's business was Mr. Perfection Home Inspections Inc.
Fehlandt said, for him, the networking experiences the chamber affords gave him great contacts.
"Networking was just a buzzword when the chamber was begun in 1990," Fehlandt said.
Referring to past president Tony Saviano, himself a chamber award-winner last year, Fehlandt said, "Over the years Tony alone gave me 48 referrals." Saviano, head of Realty Executives Experts, last year received the Very Important Member Award.
Amster, who credited chamber Executive Director Jill Blodgett and her staff "for making it all happen," said friendships form when one belongs to the chamber. The staff she refers to consists of Geri Grzelak, Gail Karcz and Gloria Katz.
"If you don't make friends, you are in the wrong chamber," Amster said.
LaFrenere, who will continue on the board as an adviser, introduced Dave Strahl of AT&T as the newly-elected president. Paul Swanson of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters accepted the post of vice president. Linda Scheck of Hilton Garden Inn will be secretary and Kathy Musial of BIK & Co., LLP, will be in charge of the treasury. Allen Gabe of the Law Offices of Allen S. Gabe is counsel, and Jeff Butzen of Palatine-Schaumburg Township High School District 211 is vice president of strategic planning.
Other directors for the new year include Misty Redman, Sears Holdings Corp.; Jim Cook, Daily Herald; Dr. Robert Steinberg, Active Foot and Ankle; Ginny Roncoli, Harris Bank; Wanda Piccolo, B & F Technical Code Services Inc.; Brian Becker, NIU Outreach; Jim Norris, village of Hoffman Estates; John Haniotes, Hoffman Estates Community Bank; Linda Gump, St. Alexius Medical Center; Wendy Greenleaf, Costco Wholesale; and Karen Mills, Barrington Square Improvement Association and Hoffman Estates trustee. Blodgett also serves on the board of directors.
The chamber used the festive occasion to celebrate itself for "another banner year."
Blodgett pointed out the chamber's purpose is to promote its members, offer networking opportunities and give to the community.