Chamber Annual Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce
held their annual meeting on April 16 at the Pekin Country Club. 140 attendees representing 54 businesses and
organizations enjoyed the reception and short business meeting. The keynote speaker was Dr. Sheila
Quirk-Bailey, President of Illinois Central College.
Three members of the Board of Directors completed their terms and were recognized for their service. The retiring members were: Josh Bradshaw, Advanced Medical Transport; Baylee Gambetti, Coldwell Banker - The Real Estate Group; and Brigitte Harper, Pekin Insurance. Also recognized was Crystal Elliott, UnityPoint Health, who completed her service on the board as Treasurer, and John Franks, Peoria Limousine, who completed his service on the board as Past President.
New board members elected by the chamber membership in March were introduced: Laurie Gruse, Pekin Insurance; Ryan Morris, UnityPoint Health; and, Dr. Danielle Owens, Pekin Community High School District 303.
Other returning directors on the chamber’s board include Chris Deverman, Deverman Advertising; Bryan Steger, Steger’s Furniture; Katelyn Tassart, OX Paperboard Illinois; Char Richardson, Richardson Counseling & Wellness; Megan Olt, TCRC; Scott Rorher, Pekin Country Club; and John McCabe, Mayor of the City of Pekin.
The newly seated board elected officers for the coming year. They are President, Scott Kriegsman, Elliff, Dancey and Bosich, PC; Vice President, Dan Pfeifer, Dan Pfeifer State Farm Agency; Treasurer, Dennis Short, Pekin Community Bank; and, Past President, Becky Saban, BodyWealth Massage.
The chamber’s executive director, Bill Fleming, spoke about the chamber’s legacy of leadership that began 125 years ago with five businessmen who filed articles of incorporation for the Citizen’s Improvement Association of Pekin. Fleming drew parallels from that early group to today’s leadership in the chamber.
In her outgoing remarks, Saban made note of the financial challenges the chamber faced this past year. She was proud of the adjustments the board and staff made and that the organization finished the year better than budgeted.
Saban also told the story of how she relocated to Pekin 20 years ago and the positive role the chamber played in that decision.
Kriegsman thanked the audience for their support of the chamber and was humbled by the opportunity to lead the organization. Both his father and grandfather also served as president of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Quirk-Bailey spoke about workforce development. She began by sharing that only 40% of Illinois residents have some type of degree or credentials beyond high school. Yet, by 2020 it is estimated that 70% of the jobs in Illinois, and 99% of all newly created jobs, will require credentials beyond high school. She then outlined three key strategies that are being implemented in our region to close that skills gap.
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has represented the business interests and promoted the growth of the Pekin area since 1893.
Three members of the Board of Directors completed their terms and were recognized for their service. The retiring members were: Josh Bradshaw, Advanced Medical Transport; Baylee Gambetti, Coldwell Banker - The Real Estate Group; and Brigitte Harper, Pekin Insurance. Also recognized was Crystal Elliott, UnityPoint Health, who completed her service on the board as Treasurer, and John Franks, Peoria Limousine, who completed his service on the board as Past President.
New board members elected by the chamber membership in March were introduced: Laurie Gruse, Pekin Insurance; Ryan Morris, UnityPoint Health; and, Dr. Danielle Owens, Pekin Community High School District 303.
Other returning directors on the chamber’s board include Chris Deverman, Deverman Advertising; Bryan Steger, Steger’s Furniture; Katelyn Tassart, OX Paperboard Illinois; Char Richardson, Richardson Counseling & Wellness; Megan Olt, TCRC; Scott Rorher, Pekin Country Club; and John McCabe, Mayor of the City of Pekin.
The newly seated board elected officers for the coming year. They are President, Scott Kriegsman, Elliff, Dancey and Bosich, PC; Vice President, Dan Pfeifer, Dan Pfeifer State Farm Agency; Treasurer, Dennis Short, Pekin Community Bank; and, Past President, Becky Saban, BodyWealth Massage.
The chamber’s executive director, Bill Fleming, spoke about the chamber’s legacy of leadership that began 125 years ago with five businessmen who filed articles of incorporation for the Citizen’s Improvement Association of Pekin. Fleming drew parallels from that early group to today’s leadership in the chamber.
In her outgoing remarks, Saban made note of the financial challenges the chamber faced this past year. She was proud of the adjustments the board and staff made and that the organization finished the year better than budgeted.
Saban also told the story of how she relocated to Pekin 20 years ago and the positive role the chamber played in that decision.
Kriegsman thanked the audience for their support of the chamber and was humbled by the opportunity to lead the organization. Both his father and grandfather also served as president of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Quirk-Bailey spoke about workforce development. She began by sharing that only 40% of Illinois residents have some type of degree or credentials beyond high school. Yet, by 2020 it is estimated that 70% of the jobs in Illinois, and 99% of all newly created jobs, will require credentials beyond high school. She then outlined three key strategies that are being implemented in our region to close that skills gap.
The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has represented the business interests and promoted the growth of the Pekin area since 1893.
You can see more pictures from this event at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/0DLJ6Ooas4esoZrt1
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