FEBRUARY 2012
Air National Guard at Stewart Airport Speaking at Breakfast What’s New In 2012. .................................3 Message From The Chamber CEO...................4 Workforce Development Expands...................4 Request The Energy.................................. .5 Business Education Committee............... .......6 Chamber Hosting Jazz Concerts.................... 6 Upcoming Events......................................7 Member News ...................................... 8-9 New Members ................................... 10-11 Ribbon Cutting Pictures ....................... .12-13 The Chamber Foundation, Inc. ................... 14 Headliner Nominations Sought .................. 15 Are You Using Your SmartCard?. ................. 16
Anyone doing business in the Hudson Valley knows how important Stewart International Airport is to the region’s economy. At our February Contact Breakfast, scheduled for Wednesday, February 15 at 7:30 a.m. at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel and Conference Center, two leaders of the Air National Guard at Stewart will discuss how Stewart can work with you. The breakfast is sponsored by The Heart Center. Brigadier General Verle L. Johnston, Jr., is the Wing Commander for the 105th Airlift Wing at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh. He assumed command in 2007, and he is responsible for the combat readiness of assigned units by reviewing training programs and ensuring availability of necessary equipment and supplies. Brig. Gen. Johnston received his commission in 1974 as a
Contact Breakfast sponsored by:
Brigadier General Verle Johnston
graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. He served 6 years on active duty primarily flying KC-135A aircraft in the Strategic Air Command. In the Air National Guard General Johnston has flown numerous aircraft as an instructor and evaluator pilot. He has served in command as Operations Group Commander, Logistics Group Commander and Vice Wing Commander in addition to
Lt. Colonel Peter Meyer
currently serving as 105th Wing Commander. He has served as an Air Expeditionary Group Commander in Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze. He is a command pilot with more than 7,500 flying hours. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Meyer has been well decorated by the Navy and Air Force. He has completed the Aviation Safety Officer Course, Forward Air Controller Course,
Business After Hours at Adams Previews Lawn & Garden Show Come network with fellow members at the February Business After Hours, to be held at Adams Fairacre Farms in Poughkeepsie at 743 Dutchess Turnpike on Thursday, February 23 at 5 p.m. Full Deck Design and Main Printing sponsor this event. While enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, check out an exclusive sneak preview of the Adams Lawn and Garden Show opening to the public the following day. The Adams Landscaping
crews design and install an amazing backdrop of hardscapes for hundreds of flowering bulbs, annuals, trees and shrubs. During the Show, beginning February 24, vendors, knowledgeable staff and garden experts from throughout the region will be there to answer all your questions. It also includes seminars,
giveaways and raffles for great prizes on select dates. Adams Fairacre Farms began in the early 1900s as a roadside farm-stand in Poughkeepsie run by Ralph A. Adams and his family. To this day Adams Fairacre Farms is a familyowned and operated business, now operating in four locations including Wappinger, Newburgh and Kingston. Known for its fine produce, Adams also offers full-service meat and seafood departments, deli and prepared foods, cheese
Firmbach & Firmbach Certified Public Accountants
and coffee shops, a bakery and sweet shop as well as gift and flower departments and a full garden center complete with greenhouses and nurseries. Adams also has three side businesses -- Adams Landscaping, Adams Fences and Adams Power Equipment. Visit them at www. adamsfarms.com. This event is complimentary and open to the public, however reservations are requested. To RSVP, call 845-454-1700 x1000 or visit www.dcrcoc.org.
Amphibious Warfare and Marine Corps Command and Staff non-resident schools. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, Strike/ Flight Air Medal with numeral 10, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one Gold Star and the Navy and
Continued on Page 4
Check out page 3 to learn more about the new initiatives the Chamber is offering in 2012, along with our new logo!
A F a m i l y A c c o u n t i n g p r a c t i c e Our family has been serving the Hudson Valley’s Accounting needs for the last 50 years.
Call and ask for Karl or Rudy 845-454-5440
w w w . F i r m b a c h C P A s . c o m
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Message From The Chair.............................2