Board of Directors

from Carbondale Connections and Community Guide 2021

To Learn

interesting programs and services.

The Chamber of Commerce has several committees for which members can provide leadership and volunteer their time. These include:

Ambassadors—This group promotes new and existing businesses through ribbon cuttings, helping new members make connections within the community, and recruitment/ retention of chamber members.

Saluki Pride—This committee promotes Southern Illinois University through support for the Athletics program and other campus groups. They annually support the Paw Print Painting project, the Saluki Pride Luncheon in August, and the Saluki Stay Scholarship for SIU students.

Economic Development—The committee helps provide a forum to assist with economic development areas locally and through the region.

Finance Committee—The Finance Committee meets to review financial matters of the Chamber.

Annual Dinner Committee— Members of this committee help with the Annual Dinner and Awards Program each year in February.

Golf Committee—This group is instrumental in supporting the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Scramble held in June.

Black Business Council—This group provides support to Black chamber members who run businesses and organizations.

Women’s Council—This group provides a forum for women to meet and help their businesses, organizations, and each individual grow.

Leadership Carbondale— Annually the Chamber hosts individuals from Chamber member companies/organizations to engage in a series of sessions to help build future leaders in the area.

The Carbondale Chamber of Commerce is a leader within the group of southern Illinois Chamber Executives who meet to plan join efforts. One of these is the Shop Southern Illinois initiative that runs from October until December. Each chamber selects a week to promote shopping throughout southern Illinois. At the end of the week a drawing is conducted from shoppers. The winner receives a gift basket from area businesses and organizations.

The Carbondale Chamber also supports Small Business Month and Small Business Saturday, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. The Chamber recognizes and promotes our small business members.

Please get involved and help make a difference as we grow the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, support small business, and economic development in the region. As Chair of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Board it is a pleasure to work with our over 400 members, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and others to ensure the work of the Chamber meets our mission to advance the interests of business and make Carbondale a great place to live, work, visit, play, and invest.

Helping govern the Chamber is the Executive Committee which for 2021 is comprised of Pastor Christopher Swims of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Justin Zurlinden (Past Chair) of Keller Williams Realty, Jolene Falat (Treasurer) of First Mid Bank & Trust, Steve Quinn (Chair-Elect) of Samron, and myself (Chair) of Southern Illinois University Student Center.

At Large Board Members of the Carbondale Chamber provide direction and oversight of the numerous chamber activities and funds. These members are: John Dosier of First Southern Bank, John Rathjen of Vogler Motor Co., Shane Carsrud of Banterra, Carolin Harvey retired from Southern Illinois University, Nic Skovgaard of Alter Ego, Al Taylor of SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, and Jason Chrzan of Keller’s Crossing at Stone Creek Golf Course.

Three additional members representing our community partners are appointed to the Board of Directors. They are Mayor Mike Henry of the City of Carbondale, Chancellor Austin Lane of Southern Illinois University, and Principal Ryan Thomas of Carbondale Community High School.

Election of new board members occur in November of each year. Any member of the Chamber may run for open board seats. We encourage you to consider becoming a candidate for the board, as we are always seeking new and innovative ideas for the work of the Chamber to reach of mission.

In my opinion, the power of chamber membership is the networking opportunities, interaction with other members by becoming involved in our various committees and other work groups, and by attending our annual dinner and other special events. The return on your investment for your time and efforts can often be realized by the new contacts, new customers, and new learning realized from our various offerings throughout the year.

Please understand, we take the business of the chamber seriously. We encourage your feedback and ideas. I hope to see you at our future events, seminars, annual dinners, and other functions.

Dr. Tena Bennett