Reno Chamber Newsletter October Edition

ONNECTION IN THIS ISSUE: *See page 4 for more Margin Tax information

Vote NO on 3 on November 4th Chamber-Endorsed Candidates Upcoming Events — Employer Healthcare Forum Welcome New Members & Ribbon Cuttings

THIS IS YOUR CHAMBER! Let The Chamber be your partner for business. We deliver a strong return on your investment through a variety of resources and opportunities. With over 2,000 members, 200 volunteers and a full time staff of experts, we are the largest business organization in Northern Nevada. We advance your business through the power of connection, business referrals, discounts, regional promotion and sponsorship.

OCTOBER 2014

Leadership Reno Sparks 2015 Applications Available Top 10 Reasons Margin Tax will HURT Nevada 2015 Board of Directors Candidates

www.thechambernv.org

vote for these chamber-endorsed candidates Question 1 creates an appellate court in Nevada: YES Question 3 imposes a gross margin tax on small businesses: NO

Reno Mayoral Candidate Meet & Greet Monday, October 13 5:30 – 7:30pm The Chamber 449 S Virginia Suite 100, Reno Mayoral candidates Hillary Schieve and Ray Pezonella will be at The Chamber to meet our members and answer your questions!

Please RSVP to (775) 636-9550 TheChamberNV.org

Candidates: U.S. House of Representatives, District 2: Mark Amodei (R) Governor: Brian Sandoval (R) Lieutenant Governor: Mark Hutchison (R) State Treasurer: Kim Wallin (D) State Controller: Andrew Martin (D) State Senate District 13: Debbie Smith (D) State Senate District 14: Don Gustavson (R) State Senate District 16: Ben Kieckhefer (R) State Assembly District 24: David Bobzien (D) State Assembly District 25: Pat Hickey (R) State Assembly District 26: Randy Kirner (R) State Assembly District 27: Teresa Benitez-Thompson (D) State Assembly District 30: Lauren Scott (R) State Assembly District 32: Ira Hansen (R) State Assembly District 40: Philip “PK” O’Neill (R) Washoe County Commission, District 2: Bob Lucey (R) Washoe County Commission, District 3: Kitty Jung (D) Washoe County Commission, District 5: John Gavin (D) Washoe County School Board Trustee, District F: Veronica Frenkel Washoe County Sheriff: Tim Kuzanek Reno City Council, Ward 2: Elisa Cafferata Reno City Council, Ward 4: Bonnie Weber Reno City Attorney: Brett Kandt City of Sparks Mayor: Geno Martini Sparks City Council, Ward 2: Ed Lawson Sparks City Council, Ward 4: Kristopher Dahir

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CHAMBER CONNECTION | OCTOBER 2014

message from the executive director

775-636-9550 | www.thechambernv.org CHAMBER BOARD OFFICERS: Jim McClenahan Chairman of the Board UNR College of Business Tim Ruffin - Past Chair Colliers International Sarah Sommers - Chair Elect Solutions At Work Danny DeLaRosa - Treasurer United Federal Credit Union

Brad Woodring NV Energy

Tina Iftiger Reno Tahoe Airport Authority

Larry Hunt Bayer Properties, LLC

Steve Anderson- EDAWN RBC Wealth Management

Kris Wells AT&T

Linda Meissen Realtors Association Prudential Sierra Nevada Properties

Gina Brooks The Glenn Group

Abbi Whitaker The Abbi Agency

Dennis McGovernBusiness Advocacy Legends at Sparks Marina

Tammy Cantrelle-Smith Mountain America Credit Union

Todd Wilson - Leadership Benefit Resource Group

Kimberly Kuntz Noble Studios

Stephen Ascuaga

Tim Crowley Nevada Mining Association

Len Stevens Executive Director The Chamber BOARD MEMBERS: Mike Hix First Independent Bank Alan Olive Northern Nevada Medical Center Josh Bartella Microsoft Bill Hughes Peppermill Lisa Speth-Jones Wells Fargo Chris Bosse Renown Cheri Hill Sage International Inc. Pete Copeland Great Reno Balloon Race

Ziad Rashdan ASUN UNR

Doug Knuth UNR Athletics

John Maher Reno-Gazette Journal Audrey Damonte Altus Insurance

Darrell Plummer - WIN Sierra Nevada Properties CHAMBER STAFF: Len Stevens Executive Director Tray Abney Director of Government Relations Joy Heuer Community & Member Information Manager Jennifer Jones Finance Manager, Administration

Pedro Martinez Washoe County School District Estella Gutierrez Truckee Meadows Community College Helen Lidholm Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center

Susan Robinson Events Coordinator

W

hen you read this, we will be less than two weeks away from the start of Early Voting.

The Chamber’s Political Action Committee (PAC) has been hard at work over the last several months interviewing candidates for public office and researching the merits of the ballot questions that you will see on your November 4th ballot.

The PAC is a diverse group of dedicated Chamber members who have spent hours this year interviewing dozens of Nevadans who have stepped forward and are asking for your support in their quest to shape the laws and policies that govern how you operate your business every day.

There is no question that this process is the most controversial work that we do here at The Chamber. In a tight-knit community such as ours, when one candidate is supported over another by an organization as large and diverse as ours is, it is bound to cause some disagreement and consternation.

You need to know, however that our PAC Board members take their jobs very seriously. Based on the positions outlined in our Agenda for Economic Vitality, candidates responses to our questionnaire, and their in-person interview, they make their decisions based on what they believe is best for our members and the economic vitality of our region. You may not always agree with the decisions that are made, but we will always be transparent and honest about why those decisions were made.

In this issue, you will find our complete list of endorsed candidates for your 2014 general election ballot, as well as our support for Question 1, which would create an Appellate Court in Nevada and our strong opposition to Question 3, the devastating margin tax initiative.

I encourage you to take that page with you when you go to vote and ensure that we maintain our pro-jobs, pro-opportunity, pro economic freedom system that we have here.

Leslie Masterpool Programs Coordinator

Len Stevens, Executive Director, The Chamber

Sandy Ammerman Membership Relations

LIAISONS:

Varney Padgett Membership Sales

Joe Bozsik Young Professionals Network UNR College of Engineering

Laurie Pettyjohn Membership Sales

Mark Tulman - Ambassadors Nevada Association of Employers

you don’t want to miss

OCTOBER

Thank you to our 2014 Corporate Sponsors for your involvement and support of The Chamber.

upcoming events 6

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 Meet the Chamber Endorsed Candidates 5:30-7:30pm @ 250 Evans Ave.; Freight House District at Aces Ballpark FREE to Members. This a Chamber members-only event. Come by to meet and

DATES TO SAVE

mingle with state and local candidates fro public office who whave been endorsed

by The Chamber.

Employer Healthcare Forum Oct 16th, 7am-1pm; Grand Sierra Resort Tickets: $40 each; Vendor Booths also available Register online at thechambernv.org

We need your support to ensure that our region and our state maintains its economic vitality.

Appetizers • Cash Bar • Plenty of Free Parking

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7 MORNING SPARK - Customer Service 7:30-9am @ 449 S. Virginia St., First Floor Members: $5; Nonmembers: $25 Please RSVP - Register online at thechambernv.org

DIRECTIONS 2015

The Morning Spark is a business development and training program designed for professionals and business owners on the go. This month’s presentation will be on

Feb 5th, 2015 7am-1pm, ; Grand Sierra Resort For more information on any of these events, please contact Leslie Masterpool: lmasterpool@thechambernv.org

“Customer Service” presented by Kathy Carrico, UNR-SBDC

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 RIBBON CUTTING - Motovision Corporate Awards 5:00-7pm @ 55 Freeport Blvd., Sparks FREE

Chamber offers Electronic Funds Transfer The Chamber has been working to improve its billing and payments process.

As part of this new process, members now have the option of making monthly, quarterly and yearly payments by an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This change will allow us to offer lower monthly dues payments with the ease of automatic payments.

To get started with the Electronic Funds Transfer, simply request an authorization form and return to our office via email, fax or U.S. Mail at your earliest convenience.

The Chamber will not begin debiting your account until your membership is up for renewal.

For more information regarding EFT payments, please contact Jennifer Jones at jjones@thechambernv.org or 775-636-9553.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 Healthcare Forum: Culture Change (see page 4 for details) 7:00am-Noon @ Grand Sierra Resort Members: $40; Nonmembers: $60 Please RSVP - Register online at thechambernv.org Before any event, please check the events calendar at www.thechambernv.org

NOTE

for any possible additions or last minute changes.

CHAMBER CONNECTION | OCTOBER 2014 Kromer Investments Inc. Roland Montoya • (775) 324-1092 501 W. 1st St. • Reno, NV 89503

BBSI Dave Cailly • (775) 432-1845 515 Double Eagle Ct., #105 • Reno, NV 89521 Crawfish Asian Cuisine Ken Vong • (775) 622-6802 1295 E. Plumb Ln., Ste. H • Reno, NV 89502 CrossFit Initiative Soupha Jones • (775) 848-4786 9410 Prototype Dr., Ste. 12 • Reno, NV 89521

Drinkwater Law Offices Kerry Eaton • (775) 828-0800 5421 Kietzke Lane, Suite 100 • Reno, NV 89511 Fisher & Phillips, Attorneys at Law Mark Ricciardi, Esq. • (702) 252-3131 3800 Howard Hughes Pkwy., Ste 950 Las Vegas, NV 89169

Guild Mortgage Seamus Murphy • (775) 420-3631 5390 Kietzke Lane Ste 100 • Reno, NV 89521 Gymnastics Nevada Denise Dalton • (775) 853-8247 750 Trademark Dr. • Reno, NV 89521 Gymnastics Nevada Bill Culp • (775) 355-7755 225 Lillard Dr. • Sparks, NV 89434

Hilton Garden Inn Katie Huff • (775) 850-9700 9920 Double R. Blvd. • Reno, NV 89521

NAIOP Amanda Pratt • (775) 354-3454 PO Box 7115 • Reno, NV 89510 Nevada Connections Academy Steve Werlein • (775) 826-4200 555 Double Eagle Ct., Ste 2000 • Reno, NV 89521 Newcomers of Reno and Sparks Jeri Richter • (775) 359-7049 PO Box 50044 • Sparks, NV 89435 NV Auto Body Tim Bodden • (775) 358-1112 2255 Glendale Ave • Sparks, NV 89431 OK Corral, LLC Greg Kersten • (775) 386-9766 P.O. Box 17241 • Reno, NV 89511 OnTrac Chris Reed • (775) 355-9055 45 Vista Blvd., #101 • Sparks, NV 89434 Reno Provisions Mark Estee • (775) 737-9555 100 N. Sierra St • Reno, NV 89501 The Bridge Cliff McCain • (775) 771-8321 425 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89501 Trevino Golf Institute Matt Newcomer • (775) 825-6747 5390 Riggins Ct., Ste D • Reno, NV 89502

Welding Shop @ CCNN

Harland Watch and Diamond Ben Barnes • (775) 853-3997 8175 S. Virginia St., Suite 450 • Reno, NV 89511

Megan Baroska - Individual Membership (202) 760-1123 2755 Sky Horse Trail • Reno, NV 89511

Village at Arrowcreek

Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet Chris Rhodes • (775) 348-0605 335 Record St. • Reno, NV 89512

Lucky Beaver Bar & Burger Bruce Gorton • (775) 829-8500 3655 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89502

Le Crepe Cafe

Distinctive Insurance Mark Hutchings • (775) 419-9979 3592 Hemlock Way • Reno, NV 89509

Loomis Armored US - Reno Ryan Shake • (775) 857-6800 4904 Ampere Dr. • Reno, NV 89502

Findlay Jaguar Land Rover

Adlington Eye Center & Eyeglass Gallery Cheryl Adlington • (775) 284-3937 500 W. Plumb Ln., Ste. A • Reno, NV 89509

Lithia Volkswagen of Reno Bill Rossi • (775) 852-3300 7063 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89511

ribbon cuttings

4 Seasons Total Home Care Marci Mueller • (775) 230-2630 14087 Rhyolite Ct. • Reno, NV 89521

Let’s Dance Studio Elizabeth Suhr • (775) 351-1400 1151 N. Rock Blvd. • Sparks, NV 89431

Dreams Realty

JULY

new members

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Two Chicks Haley Wood • (775) 323-0600 752 S. Virginia St. • Reno, NV 89501 VERITAS Empowerment Boutique Verita Prothro • (775) 240-3258 201 W. Moana Ln. • Reno, NV 89509

Keller Williams Group One Realty Ron Lane • (775) 823-8787 10539 Professional Cir. • Reno, NV 89501

Leadership Reno Sparks taking Northern Nevada’s top and future business leaders on a journey of discovery Since 1984, the Leadership Reno Sparks Program has blossomed into more than 1,000 alumni, be part of that legacy!

Through this engaging nine-month program, participants are exposed to regional stakeholders, opportunities and challenges facing the community, organizational and regional development, and self-realization.

This valuable program comes with a commitment that is non-negotiable. All participants will attend a two-day, overnight retreat in January, eight full-day workshops February through September, a first responder ride-along, two community engagement days, participate in the class project, graduation, and the Leadership Gala.

Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop Workshop

1, The Retreat: 1/22-23 2, Education & the Community: 2/13 3, Role of Government: 3/12 4, Law Enforcement: 4/10 5, Community Health & Wellness: 5/8 6, Arts & History: 6/12 7, Communication & Media: 7/10 8, Truckee Meadows Economy: 8/14 9, Human Services & Legacy: 9/11

Find the application at www.TheChamberNV.org The application is in the format of an online survey, be prepared to answer questions on the following: • • • • • •

Professional and Educational History Community Involvement and Accomplishments What is the role of a leader?

What leadership skills do you have and do you expect to strengthen?

Expectations for the program?

Three significant challenges facing Reno/Sparks/Northern Nevada and how you might address them as a community leader.

Deadline November 3, 2014 at 8am Questions? Contact program coordinator, Leslie Masterpool, at 775-636-9559 or LMasterpool@TheChamberNV.org.

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CHAMBER CONNECTION | OCTOBER 2014

top ten reasons the margin tax will hurt Reno-Sparks’ economy 1. Jobs Will Be Lost as Corporate Tax Rate Jumps: Jobs would be lost in the Truckee Meadows as businesses attempted to keep their doors open. Other jobs would be lost when businesses closed up shop altogether. Economic development efforts would be hurt and some companies would find it more advantageous to stay put or locate to other states. That’s because Question 3’s tax rate would be an average of 14-15%, nearly double California’s corporate income tax rate.

2. Job Attraction and Retention More Difficult: Many prospects have delayed their decision to come here until after the election and several existing companies have made clear their intent to either relocate out of the state or do their planned expansions at another location if the tax passes.

3. No Guarantee It Will Go To Education: While proponents claim that these new dollars will go to education, there is nothing in the initiative to keep the Legislature from re-allocating existing funding to other programs. The initiative in essence gives the Legislators a blank check. There is no guarantee that one “additional” dime would go to the education needs of Washoe County students.

4. No Real Accountability: There is no plan or accountability for how this almost $1 billion in new revenue would be spent. While proponents claim that these new dollars would go to education, they are never clear on the specifics. Will these dollars go to the classroom? Or to more administrators? Or to more outside lawyers hired by the School Board? No one knows, because there is no plan.

5. Will Not Support WCSD Infrastructure Needs: There is no guarantee that one cent of this massive tax increase would go toward the capital needs of the Washoe County School District. State dollars are not currently used for the maintenance needs of our older school buildings, for the technology and security upgrades that are desperately needed, nor to eliminate the need for the modular buildings that are filling up our elementary school playgrounds. Local tax dollars fund these needs and the Margin Tax would not help at all.

6. Increase Costs For Everyone: Every Washoe County resident would see increased grocery, utility, and healthcare bills. No business is immune to this devastating tax and those every day costs would be passed on to consumers.

7. Some Industries Are Hit Harder than Others: At least one industry will be eliminated by the tax, the secure trust business. Experts in this industry have stated that this change will drive the entire industry to South Dakota. The loss of these investors will have a ripple effect on our entrepreneurial community as many of those business owners are also angel investors.

8. Retail and Restaurants Also Hit Hard: Reno is in the midst of a rebirth, fueled by locally-owned retail shops, bars, and restaurants in vibrant districts such as Midtown, Fourth Street, and Wells Avenue. The retail and restaurant industry would be harmed the most by the Margin Tax, as they operate on very thin margins.

9. Destroys Entrepreneurial Momentum: Most entrepreneurs lose money in their first several years of operation, yet they will still be on the hook for thousands of dollars in taxes if their revenue exceeds $1M annually.

@ the employer healthcare workplace culture change

10. The Tax Is Confusing and Will Likely Require Costly Litigation: Instead of spending money on new goods, equipment, and salaries, our local businesses would be spending money on high-priced lawyers or CPAs to help them through the maze of confusion that is the initiative language. Those same businesses would also be paying for the state to hire lawyers to fend off the lawsuits that they filed!

Education is Important to Economic Development But Question #3 is Not The Way To Address These Needs.

forum

October 16, 2014 Doors Open at 7:00AM Grand Sierra Resort

To learn more, please contact Tray Abney at The Chamber (775) 636-9543 or tabney@thechambernv.org. For information from the coalition visit www.StopTheMarginTax.com

a hea lt bite o hy f Ren o

mixer

October 2, 2014 5:00PM to 6:30PM The Chamber

Announcing Northern Nevada’s Healthiest Places to Work!

Sponsored by

.

In Partnership

Guests include: 

“Why Happiness at Work,” Sunny Grosso with Delivering Happiness



“U.S. Chamber’s Update and Forecast on Healthcare”

www.TheChamberNV.org (775) 636-9559



“How the Medicaid Expansion is Affecting Healthcare in Northern Nevada,”

Early Bird Tickets only $30! (exp. 9/30/14)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

2015 Board of Director Candidates The Chamber is proud to announce five new candidates for the Board of Directors.

These men and women will join the board starting January 1, 2015. They are: Ann Silver, Executive Director, JOIN – Job Opportunities In Nevada Steve Wolstenholme, President and Chief Operating Officer Hospitality and Gaming, Grand Sierra Resort Marily Mora, President /CEO, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Greg Boyer, Chief Executive Officer, Renown Sarah Sommers, CEO, Solutions At Work will serve as Chair of the Board.

The Board of Directors is the governing body of The Chamber and is comprised of 24 individuals representing the many diverse businesses and industries representing our membership in Northern Nevada.

Stacy Woodbury, Nevada State Medical Assoc



“Budgetary Impacts of ACA Insurance,”



“Learn ACA Tax Implications,” Ralph Hartmann, CPA Healthiest Places to Work Finalists



Scott Kipper with Nevada Division of Insurance

Benefit Resource Group Immunize Nevada Apex Performance Solutions Miller Heiman Caesars Northern Nevada Haws Corporation

OR

Bring your staff for September deal of 4 for $100! (exp. 9/13014) For questions, booths, and sponsorships, email Leslie at LMasterpool@TheChamberNV.org