AnnualREPORT
2016
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A Letter to the MembershipFor more than 69 years, the Bossier Chamber of Commerce has been committed to the advancement and prosperity of Bossier Parish. The Bossier Chamber has served as an integral part of what makes our community a great place to live, work and play. The Chamber strives to continue to be a leader in the community at large as well as our region, as we drive policy, partnerships, opportunities and education.
We look to 2017 with purpose; to grow, support and develop Bossier into one of the best communities not only in our region but in the country. Bossier is the leader in initiatives such as technology and education, paving the way for stronger partnerships. In 2016, Bossier saw downtown redevelopment begin along with parishwide strides in infrastructure enhancements, including bike trails, sewerage upgrades and roadway extensions. All of these improvements are integral due to a growing Bossier workforce and population. Our region’s path to success will only grow stronger throughout the coming year. Our forward-thinking leaders have invested a great deal into our future, and we encourage you to be proud of what Bossier is becoming:
#BeBossier!
We challenge your business to be a part of the Chamber’s continued involvement and community investment.
Thank you for your investment, and we hope you continue to look to the Chamber to help grow your business and get connected!
Lisa JohnsonPresident/CEO
David Specht Jr.2016 Chairman of the Board
LISA JOHNSONPresident/CEO
MICHELLE CAVANAUGHDirector of Government Relations
JESSICA HEMINGWAYDirector of Communications
KATTIE HOLLAYMilitary Relations Liaison
JANA MORGANDirector of Program Development
KATIE THERIOTDirector of Business Development
LINDA MCCRORYAdministrative Assistant
DENISE PERKINSBookkeeper
BOSSIER CHAMBER STAFF
OUR MISSIONThe Bossier Chamber of Commerce’s purpose shall be to promote the advancement of the civic, commercial, industrial, technological, and agricultural interests of
Bossier Parish all while promoting the general welfare and prosperity of the parish and the stimulation of the public’s
interest on key issues.
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COL. WEST ANDERSON, USAF RETIRED
Boeing(Military Relations Chair)
G. B. CAZESCyber Innovation Center
(Marketing Chair)
SANDY M. CIMINOCommunity Bank of Louisiana
(Bossier Innovates Chair)
RICK HOLLANDGibsland Bank & Trust(Special Events Chair)
MATT LOCKELocke Homes, Inc
(Investor Relations Chair)
BARRY REGULAMargaritaville Resort Casino
(Gov Relations Chair)
CLIFF BROUSSARDWillis-Knighton Health System
PATRICK GULLATTBarksdale Federal Credit Union
GARY HUBBARDHubbard Investments
LISA JANESTownSquare Media
MEREDITH JOHNSONVirginia College
RHONDA MACISAACWillis-Knighton Health System
MIKE MCSWAINMike McSwain Architect, LLC
BRUCE ROBERTSRoberts and Murphy, Inc
DOUG STINSONStinson Law Firm, LLC
COL ANDY THOMSON, USAF RETIRED
Northrop Grumman
DONNA WOMACKBossier Parish Community College
TERRY MOORE2016 Chairman Elect(Merrill Lynch)
DAVID SPECHT, JR.2016 Chairman(Bossier Press Tribune)
DANA SMELSER2016 Finance Chairman(Christus Health Shreveport-Bossier)
EMILE CORDAROPast Chairman(AEP Swepco)
2016 Board of Directors
2016 DiplomatsThe Bossier Chamber Diplomat organization is a group of volunteers that exemplify outstanding service and support of the Bossier Chamber and its mission.
Chamber Diplomats are invaluable, as they not only serve as the faces for the Chamber, but also provide an important communication link between the Chamber Board and membership.
Some of the Bossier Chamber Diplomat responsibilities include: greeting members and guests at the Chamber’s monthly networking events,
participating in ribbon cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies for Bossier Chamber members, and assisting the Chamber in meeting the needs of its members, as well as member retention by periodically visiting Bossier Chamber members throughout the year.
Our 2016 Diplomats were:Brandon Beard, Cumulus; Bernie Bitting, Easter Seals; Jennifer Boone, Courtyard Boardwalk/Residence Inn; Kathy Busch, BPCC; Kelli Calhoun, Kyle Allen State Farm; Ashley Davis,
Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets; Christie Dunn, KSLA; Jimi Durmon, Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites; Beonica Rutherford-Frazier, BPCC; Katie Queen Isham, Loksafe Services; Stephanie Jackson, BPCC; Nick LeBrun, Northwestern Mutual; Mike Monroe, Coca-Cola United; Pat Presley, Century 21 Elite; Melody Rider, Virginia College; Christopher
Sepeda, Bossier Press-Tribune; Media Ann Smith, R.R. Smith Real Estate & Appraisal; Lynn Stevens, United Way of Northwest Louisiana; Jared Stevenson, Jean Simpson Personnel Services; Kristi Tift, Destiny Day Spa & Salon; Melissa Viga, SB Magazine; Kim Webb, SB Magazine; Robin Williams, Holiday Lanes; Kandie Winchester, Destiny Day Spa & Salon.
people or technology?choose both.
redriverbank.net - 318.675.2900Made in Louisiana. Made for Louisiana.
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2016 AchievementsOPPORTUNITY• Welcomed more than127 new members to the Bossier Chamber.• Hosted over 40 special events where members had the opportunity to
showcase their businesses and make networking connections.• Held 46 Ribbon Cutting Events and 5 Ground Breaking Events,
bringing in $37,095 in new member revenue.• Recognized Business and Business Person of the Year at the 2015
Annual Banquet with a record-breaking 665 tickets sold.• Continued the Total Resource Campaign (TRC), which increased
sponsorship/marketing opportunities for members.• Organized two military job fairs, reaching 250 veteran job seekers
and resulting in 30 job offers.• Welcomed more than 1,200 new Airmen to Barksdale Air Force
Base through base-organized newcomer’s events.
ADVOCACY• Created and produced the Bossier Chamber’s first Legislative
Agenda & Political Directory, highlighting the Chamber’s federal and state priorities for 2016 as well as providing contact information for our federal, state and local elected officials.
• Hosted Gov. John Bel Edwards for the Regional Legislative Forum in August, with 417 business leaders attending.
• Represented business and member interests during the 2016 Legislative Session, spending a total of 30-plus days at the state capitol supporting Northwest Louisiana issues.
• Conducted Congressional appointments during two Washington, D.C. Fly-ins.
• Continued the successful State of Bossier Address with 185 attendees as well as the State of Education Address with 80 attendees.
• Hosted meet and greets for local and state elections. • Attended city and parish government meetings throughout the year.
PARTNERSHIP• Honored local responders at the Patriot Awards, recognizing the
15th anniversary of 9/11 with a commemorative video including locals who had first-hand accounts of that day.
• Partnered with Boomtown Bossier City to give out more than 5,000 cookies to all of the local military units in Shreveport and Bossier.
• Expanded Bossier-Shreveport Month of the Military Child to gain gubernatorial proclamation.
• Hosted the Barksdale Commanders Assembly where officers shared a behind-the-scenes look beyond the gates of Barksdale.
• Hosted nearly 300 civilian and military attendees at the Military Appreciation Breakfast, honoring men and women from every branch during National Military Appreciation Month.
EDUCATION• Graduated 40 Bossier Parish High School students from the Bossier
Youth Leadership Program, which trains and develops local youth for future community leadership roles.
• Hosted the inaugural Education and Innovation Luncheon featuring Miss Louisiana Justine Kerr and decorated Caddo STEM educator K. Renae Pullen. Bossier Parish female STEM students and women in STEM-related fields also joined together for this luncheon.
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908127
7
40+
members
new members
states
events
SocialMedia
Followers 2,712 2,439 700
event attendees
3,753
2016: YEAR AT A GLANCE
mRibbon Cuttings &Ground Breakings51
37cities
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The Bossier Chamber serves its members by these four values:
About Your Chamber
PARTNERSHIPWe work to build key partnerships that support the membership and com-munity’s continued growth.
OPPORTUNITYMembers of the Bossier Chamber have access to a variety of business-build-ing opportunities that are crafted to establish relevant connections.
ADVOCACYThrough lobbying efforts, special events, legislative briefings and building partnerships on the local, state and national level, the Bossier Chamber is the voice of business in Bossier Parish.
EDUCATIONThe Chamber provides relevant programs designed to strengthen and inform the business community.
Get involved by joining our Military Relations Committee to help the Chamber strengthen its relationship with our mil-itary community, or any of our other committees — marketing, government relations, program devel-opment or business devel-opment.
Don’t miss out on the 40+ events the Bossier Chamber hosts each year, specifically our numerous networking opportuni-ties! Stay informed: make sure you are signed up to receive our weekly enewsletter.
Join our Government Re-lations Committee to help the Chamber set its pri-orities for each legislative session, representing our local business community.
The Bossier Chamber hosts numerous events through-out the year to give our members all of the best, up-to-date information on business in our region. We also are great proponents of our local schools, and we have hosted our Bossier Youth Leadership program for almost 25 years.
TERRY MOORE2017 Chairman(Merrill Lynch)
DAVID SPECHT, JR.2017 Past Chairman(Bossier Press Tribune)
DANA SMELSER2017 Chair Elect(CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System)
PATRICK GULLATT2017 Finance Chair(Barksdale Federal Credit Union)
2017 Board of Directors
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Executive CommitteeCol. West Anderson, retired
Boeing- Military Relations Chair
Rick Holland Gibsland Bank & Trust
- Program Development Chair
Mike McSwain Mike McSwain Architect, LLC
- Marketing Chair
Barry Regula Margaritaville Resort Casino
- Government Relations Chair
Tommy Boggs Citizens National Bank, GBEDF
Cliff Broussard Willis-Knighton Health System
Sandy M. Cimino Community Bank of Louisiana
Emile Cordaro AEP Swepco
Kathy French Port of Caddo-Bossier
Matt Locke Locke Homes, Inc.
Rhonda MacIsaac Willis-Knighton Health System
Bruce Roberts Roberts and Murphy, Inc.
Craig Spohn Cyber Innovation Center
Doug Stinson Stinson Law Firm, LLC
Col. Andy Thomson, retired Northrop Grumman
Nicole Wilhite Citizens National Bank
Donna Womack Bossier Parish Community College
Meredith Johnson Virginia College
- Business Development Chair
Board of Directors
710 Benton Road Bossier City, LA 71111 318-746-0252 www.bossierchamber.com www.movetobossier.com