ATHENS BUSINESS FEBRUARY 2015 Volume 29 No. 2 THE CHAIRMAN’S CORNER with Shane Sewell Greetings, fellow Chamber members! I am Shane Sewell and I am excited for this opportunity to communicate with you monthly, as well as to serve you as 2015 Chairman of the Board. I have been fortunate to call Athens home for all my life. My parents attended Tennessee Wesleyan College and made the wonderful postgraduation decision to make Athens their home. I attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN and it was there I met my lovely wife, Amy. Thankfully, after we graduated she was willing for us to move to Athens, in order for me to begin my financial career with Athens Federal Community Bank where I have worked for 15 years and currently serve as Vice President/Chief Lending Officer. We have two beautiful daughters, Allie (9) and Mia (7) and we are thankful to be raising them here in this awesome community. I would like to take a moment to thank Becky Wattenbarger for her fantastic leadership over the past year. Becky brings an unrivaled energy and passion to whatever endeavor or challenge she accepts. It has been an honor to serve with you, Becky, and I look forward to your guidance in the coming year. We are truly blessed to live in Athens and McMinn County. We have much for which to be thankful and excited, and the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is one asset I hope you are taking advantage of...or will in the near future. Your support, involvement, and suggestions are essential to the success of the Chamber. I encourage you to leverage your Chamber membership to help your organization grow and prosper. There are several ways to be involved with the Chamber this month. One way is to be part of the February Cash Mob on Thursday, February 12th at The Gallery Boutique & Day Spa in Athens. The Gallery will be offering 30% off store-wide that day! Please join this fun way to support local business and our local economy. You can shop anytime between 12:00p.m. to the close of business that day. Another great benefit to your Chamber membership is the monthly networking opportunity called Business Before Hours. This is a prime time to network with other Chamber members and local leaders, while enjoying a cup of coffee and morning refreshments. I hope to see you at the upcoming meeting at ARTSHOP located at 219 East Madison Avenue in Downtown Athens. If you are not currently a Chamber member, we would love to talk to you about becoming a member. Please contact the Chamber office at 423.745.0334 or email Kay Simmons at [email protected] for more information. I look forward to serving alongside a dedicated board of directors, staff, and diplomats as we face the many opportunities and challenges to come in 2015. Working together, we will take advantage of those opportunities and meet the challenges head-on to ensure Athens and McMinn County remain a great place to live, work, and play. A Publication of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce ——————— 423-745-0334 The February Spotlight is shining on… McMINN TOMORROW CLASS OF 2015 McMinn Tomorrow is an annual youth leadership program sponsored by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. McMinn Tomorrow involves 20 junior and senior students from McMinn County High School and McMinn Central High School. The students meet six days during February, March and April to learn from community leaders and to tour local sites pertaining to a variety of topics including education, health, government, industry, history, and criminal justice. The Class of 2015 kicked-off their year on February 4th with a day made up of orientation, team-building, and a service project with Helping Hands Ministries. Pictured below are the students selected for McMinn Tomorrow’s Class of 2015 following the completion of their service project. Front row left to right: Aryn Click, Kelcey Casteel, Camila Rodriguez, Davanshi Patel, Payton Mathews Middle row left to right: Kyla Long, Abby Howe, Bethany Presley, Jenna Kaminske, Anu Kumar Back row left to right: Joshua Knight, Chase Cummins, Zachary Webb, Lynn Butler, Andrew Duggan, Ryann Dahle, Sam Ingram, Chris Achilles, Ty Striker Not pictured: Katie Shaw ATHENS CHAMBER BUSINESS PARTNERS & INVESTORS Because members renew memberships at different times throughout the year, listings are provided on a monthly basis. These members renewed their memberships during January 2015. A & J Body Shop & Wrecker Service, Inc. Allycakes Amedisys Home Health American Medical Response (AMR) Ann S. Davis Athens Station Self-Storage Biddle & Trew, LLP Citizens National Bank Cleveland State Community College Crescent Sock Company Days Inn of Athens Dogwood Dental Care, PLLC East-West Media Edward Jones Investment / Skylar Dean Factory Connection Farm Bureau Insurance-Athens Giles Heating & Air Greeks Bearing Gifts Hardee’s of Athens Heil Trailer International Maxwell Industries McDonald’s Philip K. Arnold, DDS, MS, PC Resolute Forest Products SkyRidge Medical Center Stewart Family Dentistry Sullins Eye Care Tarver Distributing Company, Inc. NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS! Toomey & Baggett Eyecare Clinic, PLLC Verizon Wireless Vulcan Materials Western Sizzlin’ Steak House Women’s Center of East TN, PC Ziegler Funeral Home Remember… Tax dollars help here when you shop here! Come and be part of the 2015 CASH MOB! Come to these locations on these days from 12:00p.m. to close and spend at least $20. It’s fun and great for these businesses and our local economy! February 12th The Gallery Boutique & Day Spa ATI Physical Therapy Ms. Amy Madison, BDM 1808 Decatur Pike #20 Athens, TN 37303 Phone: 423.252.1637 www.atipt.com Physical Therapy Athens Small Animal Hospital Dr. John & Kim Riddle, Owners 318 Maple Street Athens, TN 37303 Phone: Not yet available www.athenssmallanimalhospital.com Veterinary Care for Small & Exotic Animals Set to open for business in early spring Array of Hope Ms. Connie Herring, Owner 109 West Madison Avenue Athens, TN 37303 Phone: 706.889.0108 Retail: Women’s Clothing & Accessories Antiques & Uniques March12th Southern Heritage Antiques & Gifts April 9th Petsense May 14th Heavenly Creations by Jen June 11th The Art Market @ The Arts Center Origami Owl / Amanda Haun Thirty-One / Michelle Wright Scentsy / Deborah Cox July 10th –NO CASH MOB August 13th United Wholesale Discount September 10th To Be Announced October 8th Blair’s Bo-Kay Florist November 12th To Be Announced December 10th Hair Therapy Upcoming Chamber and Community Events Athens Area Chamber of Commerce CASH MOB! Date: Thursday, February 19 Time: 12:00p.m. till Close Location: The Gallery Boutique & Day Spa 122 North Jackson Street Athens For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org Athens Area Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS Hosted by ARTSHOP Date: Thursday, February 26 Time: 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m. Location: ARTSHOP 219 East Madison Avenue Athens For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org McMinn County Senior Citizens, Inc. ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR Date: Thursday, February 26 Time: 8:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. Location: McMinn Senior Activity Center 205 McMinn Avenue Athens FREE to the public For more info: Call 423.745.6830 or http://mcminnseniors.com Athens Area Community Theater presents PIPPIN Book by Roger O. Hirson Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Sponsored by SouthEast Bank Date: February 19-22, 26-28 & March 1 Time: Evening shows 7:30p.m. Sunday matinees 2:00p.m. Tickets: $15 Adults $8 Students For more info: Call 423.745.8781 or www.athensartscouncil.org Tennessee Wesleyan College MARCH MADNESS CAREER IMMERSION 2015 Date: Behavioral Science Career Fair - Wednesday, March 4 Sherman Hall, Glenn Lowe Room 9a.m. to 1p.m. Horizons Business Career Fair - Wednesday, March 18 Elliott Hall 10a.m. to 1p.m. FREE Registration, FREE Lunch, FREE parking (both days) To register your organization: [email protected] For more info: Office of Career Development & Graduate Studies 423.746.5224 or [email protected] Athens Area Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS Hosted by Don Ledford Auto Park Date: Thursday, March 19 Time: 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m. Location: 1900 Congress Parkway, Athens For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org To have an event included on this calendar, please email event information details to [email protected] It’s a WIN / WIN to SHOP McMINN! Athens Area Chamber of Commerce announces 9th Annual Benefit Dinner with guest speaker PEYTON MANNING Saturday June 27, 2015 6:00PM McMinn County High School Tickets Available: $50 program only (concessions will be available) To purchase tickets come to the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce (13 N. Jackson Street, Athens) or call 423.745.0334 The Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of citizens who invest their time and money in a community development program working together to improve the economic, civic and cultural well being of our community. Why I Should Belong to The Chamber of Commerce? Active Membership in the Chamber of Commerce carries with it a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from the knowledge you are doing your share of an important job. Although everyone in the community benefits from the work of the Chamber of Commerce, you can accept those benefits with a sense of pride only if you have had a part in bringing them about. Build your business by building your community. Benefits of membership in the Chamber include a wealth of advertising and exposure through participation in various events, inclusion in the Chamber website, newsletter, and networking opportunities. For information about becoming a Chamber member, please call (423) 745-0334. Athens Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with ATHENS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 13 North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37303 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.athenschamber.org 2015 OFFICERS Chairman Chairman Elect Vice Chairman Treasurer Immediate Past Chairman Shane Sewell Jackie Newman Moises Contreras Brandy Cooper Becky Wattenbarger 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Becky Wattenbarger Moises Contreras Randy Nelson Rhonda Elkins Patty Weaver Shane Sewell Brandy Cooper Gus Jaibat Scott Cass Todd Harris Jackie Newman Will Estes Pam Perdue Skylar Dean Shayne Whaley EX-OFFICIO Invites all Chamber members to BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS Thursday, February 19 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m. Come enjoy a cup of coffee, network with Chamber members, and enter a business card in the door prize drawings! Anthony Casteel, Community Development Director, City of Athens John Gentry, Mayor, McMinn County Kathy Knight, McMinn County Economic Development Authority Dana Ferguson, Diplomat Corps Chairman Rob Preston Kay Simmons Teressa Clark STAFF President/CEO Program Director Accounts Coordinator ATHENS BUSINESS is a monthly publication for the members of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.
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