What an exciting year this has been for the Danville business community! As I stop to look back on this year, I honestly believe we are blessed to be living and working in the greatest Town in America. Councilman Mike Doyle said it best last week, “Every morning I wake up and thank God to be living in Danville. We truly do live in Camelot”.

My year as Chairman of the Board provided me the opportunity to see the strong spirit of the business community. We have so many unsung heroes in this town who work together for the common good:

Marcia Harmon, Cottage Jewel –The fearless leader of the Discover Danville Association and the Chamber’s “Dux Club”, a retail marketing committee of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce;
Dee Thompson, Law Offices of Terry Thompson –The Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year and a true champion for the business community;
Linda Jimerson, Across the Web Design, The Ambassador Chairman and a true Chamber Champion;
Jim and Chris Edlund, Christie James Fine Jewelry Works –For their vision of a world without Parkinson’s Disease and who tirelessly put on the Concourse d ‘Elegance – now in its eighth year;
Darlene Gayler, Gayler Construction – who along with Cynthia Ruzzi, urges all of us to “Go Green” through the Sustainable Danville organization;
Mike Conklin, Sentinels of Freedom – who embraces our returning men and women in the US Armed Forces who have suffered severe injuries and helps them return to society with loving support and guidance to help them realize their hopes and dreams;
Nancy LaBelle, Downs Syndrome Connection – who works tirelessly with her staff to bring a wonderful quality of life to those with special needs in our Valley;
And our wonderful 2011 Mayor Karen Stepper, who works tirelessly (when does she sleep?) to promote our wonderful Town throughout the Bay Area, while working fulltime AND putting her family first!

Your Danville Area Chamber of Commerce staff is the best team I have ever seen. They are exuberant, dedicated professionals who put the members and the organization first in everything they do. From organizing our festivals and membership events to helping a displaced merchant after a devastating fire, they truly epitomize the spirit of Danville!

Since January 1st, we have had a 25% increase in ribbon cuttings within the Town. That definitely sends a message that the economy is recovering. The Town staff is working diligently to streamline the process of opening a business in Danville and our new businesses are seeing the results. The outreach to the community through Social Media Workshops and Small Business Grants are something we should all be proud of in this day and age. With so many cities and towns facing cutbacks, Danville has been fiscally conservative and therefore not impacted as much as our neighbors.

Your 2012 Chairman of the Board Jonathan Watts, Attorney at Law, brings a wonderful enthusiasm to the organization. Under his watch, many new projects will be unveiled geared specifically to the small businesses of Danville. His theme “Is It Good for the Members?” will be first and foremost in our minds and in everything we do.
I urge you to become involved in 2012. It is a dynamic organization led by a dynamic group of businesses, volunteers and staff!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve and I still encourage everyone to “Embrace the Opportunities” in all that you do!