NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2012
vol.
no.
XLIV ONE
George Lemon concludes term as 2011 Chamber board chairman, thanks membership As my tenure as chairman of the board for the Canton Regional Chamber comes to a close, I’ve spent time reflecting on 2011. The speed at which the past year has slipped by, coupled with the challenging economic conditions experienced within our community, makes one wonder and marvel at the many successes achieved by the Chamber in 2011. The work of the board, executive management team, and staff, and the support of our sponsors, members and volunteers, have resulted in successes in many programs, events and economic development initiatives. I want to report that the organization is in a strong financial position. While we are still in a time of economic turmoil, the Chamber and its seven departments are eager to enter 2012 and take on any challenges the new year may present. Stark County is on the brink of significant positive economic change in the form of the energy endeavors occurring in our region. You can read more about our position on energy, and
specifically the oil and gas industry, later in this issue of Action. Our organization is made up of more than 1,500 business members from all corners of Stark County, and our members are the cornerstone of our mission. We’ve worked to fulfill our mission with our members, and to help them stabilize during this time of economic turmoil. To that end, throughout 2011 we conducted a great deal of strategic membership planning, established a new ambassadors club to help recruit and engage members, and we have new membership benefits coming in the early part of 2012.
Rick Haines elected Canton Chamber board chairman; three new board directors named
INSIDE: 2012 Strategic Plan & Energy...................4 Annual Dinner.........................................5 Women’s Impact Initiative.......................6 Stir After Hours.......................................7 Business Excellence Awards.....................8 AultCare Fast Break Breakfast..................9 Fast Break 2012 Season......................... 11 HOF Enshrinement Festival Schedule..... 12 OHSAA Games....................................... 13 Leadership Stark County................... 15,17 Stark County Safety Council.............. 17,20 ystark! Twenty Under 40........................ 18 ystark! Young Entrepreneur Profile........ 19 AC-3 Form............................................. 21 Hot Business on the Burner................... 23 New Members....................................... 25 BizBitz.................................................. 26 January Calendar.................................. 27
Rick Haines, president and CEO of AultCare, has been elected chairman of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2012. Newly elected members of the board are: Kevin Bogard, Ohio Refining Division Manager, Marathon Petroleum Company LP; Judith E. Barnes Lancaster, Attorney at Law, and president of Global Management Group, Inc.; and Bruce M. Soares, managing director, Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh.
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Rick Haines has served as AultCare’s president and CEO since 2001, and has held a number of positions since he joined the Aultman Health Foundation 28 years ago. Today, AultCare serves over 500,000 covered lives as a not-for-profit joint venture between the Aultman Health Foundation and Stark Quality Care Physicians. Haines is a board member for a number of local and national organizations such as America’s Health Insurance Plans, Council for Affordable Quality Health Care, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Stark Development Board and The Wilderness Center. He serves as a mentor to MBA students at Kent State University and is the vice chairman of the Kent State Stark Capital Campaign. He is co-chair of the Canton YMCA’s Capital Campaign.
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WWW.C ANTONCHAMBER.ORG OUR MISSION: To serve our Members through partnership, programs, services and events to advance the economic growth of Canton and the Stark County region.