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Chamber Members Urged To Step Up

Photo from the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce

Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce chairman Ed Verner, left, takes the gavel from outgoing chairman Paul Hackney.

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By DAVE NICHOLSON

dnicholson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 4, 2009

PLANT CITY - The new chairman of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce called on members to volunteer their time to help the organization weather economic uncertainty in the coming year.

Ed Verner, whose business interests include the Lee Building in downtown Plant City and part ownership of Tampa's Dallas Bull nightclub, said the chamber needs help to maintain its 700 members as companies seek to make cutbacks. Some companies may need convincing that chamber of commerce membership is a worthwhile investment, he said.

Verner said Plant City has a wonderful spirit of stepping up to help in times of need.

"There's nothing more powerful than the heart of a volunteer because they give with passion," he said at the 27th annual chairman's banquet.

"You are part of the reason it works," he said.

Verner took the gavel Jan. 22 from Paul Hackney. He told the outgoing chairman, "Your shoes are too big for me to fill."

In his farewell address, Hackney said he appreciated his term as chairman, and said he saw the American dream come true for many people who started their own businesses in the last year. He thanked chamber President Marion Smith and her staff for their hard work, and his wife and his boss at Sunshine State Federal and Savings Loan Association for tolerating the many hours he spent on chamber of commerce business in 2008.

Awards presented during the evening included the chairman's award for outstanding service, which went to Tom Daramus, who Hackney called a tireless worker at his church and chamber special events. "They do the right things because it's the right thing to do," Hackney said of chamber volunteers such as Daramus.

Daramus said he appreciated the opportunity to serve. "It's just been great being a part of Plant City. I just enjoy working with all the people," he said.

The ambassador of the year award went to Jodi Smith, physician development specialist at South Florida Baptist Hospital and community leader. Ambassadors are the public relations committee for the chamber and help ensure that members are aware of the chamber's services.

Smith has won the award three years in a row. She also won in 2004.

She followed up on Jan. 28 by collecting another honor: Her ambassador team won the chamber's team of the year honors for 2008. Her team also won in 2005.

"I'm thrilled. This is so exciting," she said of her team's award. Mike Ardent is her team co-leader.

Other officers installed Jan. 22 included Charles Harris of Holiday Inn Express and Suites, chairman-elect; Hackney, immediate past chairman; Matt Buzza of Sunshine State Federal Saving and Loan, treasurer; Lee Williams, Felton's Meat & Produce, community and government affairs division chairman; Gail Lyons of Regions Bank, growing businesses division chairwoman; Kerrie Gafford of Wal-Mart, membership division chairwoman; and Doug Driggers of Tampa Electric Co., economic development division chairman.

Directors include Al Berry, Rick Bunnell, Michael Cameron, Jimmy Carapezza, Jennifer Closshey, Hugh Gramling, Nate Kilton, Rick Lott, Steve Nierman, Gary Pike, Bruce Rodwell, Jim Scott and Brian West.

Past chamber chairmen who attended the banquet were recognized, including Don Walden, 1980; Hal Brewer, 1985; Marion Smith, 1988; Floyd Hall, 1989, Danny Wilkes, 1994 and 1999; Bob Tanner, 1996, Dan Raulerson, 1997; Fred Johnson, 2002, Jennifer Closshey, 2004; Rick Lott, 2005 and Doug Gibbs, 2007.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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