Columbus Chamber Blog: Columbus Business News

A special announcement

Dear Fellow Chamber Members:

It’s a new day at the Columbus Chamber!

At the Chamber’s Annual Meeting yesterday, we introduced Michael Dalby as the Columbus Chamber’s new president and CEO. Michael is exceptionally qualified for this role, coming to Columbus from One Southern Indiana where he currently serves as the first president/CEO and has been recognized for an award-winning business retention and expansion program.

In addition to his experience in Indiana, Michael has worked for chambers of commerce in Utah, New Mexico and Texas. Michael is a 12 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an intelligence officer and attained the rank of Major.

Michael will officially join the Chamber in April.

I’d like to express my appreciation to the members of the board’s search committee for their diligent efforts to find someone with the right combination of talent and expertise to drive the new Chamber.

It is indeed a new day, and your Chamber is eager to serve and support your business.

Sincerely,

Jack Partridge
Chairman
Columbus Chamber Board of Directors

Business First Announces 2009 CFO of the Year Nomineees

The Chamber's own Mike Goldbeck has been nominated for Business First's CFO of the Year! Congratulations to Mike and the other nominees:

Kurt Anders, American Red Cross of Greater Columbus; Dennis Bauders, Construction Systems Inc.;
Greg Bell, The Columbus Zoo & Aquarium;  Raymond Biddiscombe, Columbus Foundation; Jane Borgelt, Sophisticated Systems Inc.; Shawn Carroll, Crown Services, Inc.; David Conley, City Barbeque; Kristin Dach, 2Checkout.com, Inc.; Paul Demboski, Crane Group Companies; Robert Garrett, St. Vincent Family Centers; Mike Goldbeck, Columbus Chamber; Anthony Hartley, Goodwill Columbus; Doug Herron, Safelite AutoGlass; Martin Inglis, Battelle; Joseph Kasberg, National Church Residences; Dave King, Moody Nolan; Holly Koeppel, American Electric Power; John Kozak, Park National Corporation; Sean H. McCarthy, Germain Motor Company; Sherri Orr, The Buckeye Ranch; Robyn Pollina, Palmer-Donavin Manufacturing Company;  Timothy Robinson, Nationwide Children's Hospital; Jeff Scholes, Signature Worldwide; George Smith, Heartland Bank; Mark Sturgeon, Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.; Sylvia Thompson, Maryhaven;
Douglas Von Doersten, Diamond Cellar Companies; and Bridget Wolf, FIRSTLINK. 

More CFO of the Year event information here

Columbus Chamber Senior Vice President Featured on IBM Podcast

Chamber Senior Vice President, Michael Gordon, was recently featured on IBM's podcast about his personal experiences and the Chamber's role in helping small businesses get through the challenges of today's economy. 

Interview by Deb Osgood
'Twenty Five years of experience for you to grow your business.'
Advice for small businesses who are navigating their way through the financial crisis - with particular relevance for small businesses in the Midwest, but helpful for any small business owner.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Here's what Michael had to say about the interview and IBM's new tool kit for small businesses:

"Access to information is very important for those seeking to start or grow a business and for those hoping to identify potential answers to the challenges of maintaining a business.  Diversity Bridge and IBM’S SME Toolkit are resources for minority/women owned businesses.

Continuing to expand network is a key component of building a successful business.  The networking with other business owners can often identify possible solutions to the challenges a company may be facing."

Robbie Banks Featured in Alive & Unedited

Check out the feature in today's Alive! on the Chamber's Young Professionals' Manager Robbie Banks:

Attracting and retaining young professionals has been a hot topic among Columbus leaders for several years, and the city's ability to nail down a strong workforce will shape its future in coming years. One person devoted to that project is Robbie Banks, an ambassador for the Columbus Chamber.

I was born and raised in Columbus. My whole life. I grew up on the South Side, and then in high school we moved to Olde Towne East. I currently reside on the South Side, the Children's Hospital area.

My job at the chamber is to wake up every day thinking of how to make Columbus a stickier city for young talent. Our focus, since I've been here, has been on retention in all aspects. You know the old saying, "It's much easier to keep a customer happy than it is to attract a new one."

The key to success for anyone is building relationships.

I feel like this position was my calling. I feel like I'm a great advocate and spokesperson for Columbus and why it's so great. I'm truly homegrown. I've actually left Columbus, but not to live. I have left for vacations. [Laughs]

Full Article Here