Letter From the President

I want to let you know about some things happening that will markedly change the way your Chamber operates in the time just ahead.

We've made some significant personnel changes and have undertaken a strategic planning process utilizing a well known international consulting firm and Chamber member, BCG, The Boston Consulting Group. We have also taken steps to increase member involvement in public policy issues affecting local businesses including attracting important public policy figures.
And, all of this is happening at the same time our Economic Development team continues forays into various states such as California extolling the advantages of doing business in the North Texas region. Three trips have been made to California in the past six months, with more to occur in the near future.

I am excited to tell you that Pat Priest has joined the Chamber as our Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer. Pat has been consulting with the Chamber for a period of time and has recently joined us in an official capacity. Her financial acumen and management talents of experience with such well-known companies as The Beck Group are already positively changing our operating mode.

Our brand new Membership vice president as of March 1st, Jennifer Schmiel, knows how to add value to our members by virtue of her service with four other well known Chambers of Commerce across the country. And, on the Economic Development side, Nancy Davis recently joined the Chamber and is a valued addition to that group. Each on their own was bring a highly developed professionalism to the organization which is certain to improve our value to the Chamber membership.

With the strategic planning process underway, we are fortunate to have attracted the great talent of Boston Consulting Group, to lead the Chamber through these efforts. The strategic planning process will take up to 6 months to complete. With implementation over a period of time after that, I am confident that the plan will inspire new vision and a recalibrated mission, with goals and objectives to meet on a set timetable.

Finally, we are within an eyelash of launching a new, action oriented website, which our members can use to become more engaged in public policy issues. We want to make it very easy for our thousands of members to reach their Senators, Congressmen and members of the Legislature and other public officials, with messages about issues that directly affect their individual businesses.

This idea came from a meeting we recently conducted with leading community and government affairs representatives who suggested that our Chamber provide this avenue for member engagement. Your Chamber is very much in the listening business when it comes to hearing from our members and quickly responding to their concerns.

One last piece of exciting news to share is that the Dallas Regional Chamber has attracted U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for a luncheon on April 7th. We are fortunate to have him address our Chamber at a time when economics and finance are two of the dominant global subjects of the day. We will welcome hearing from Chairman Bernanke and hope to see you there! Visit our website for information on how you can attend this important event.

Sincerely,

Amb. James C. Oberwetter
President
Dallas Regional Chamber