Print Newsletters Volume 1 | Page 2

Page 2 The Business Advantage BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS OFFICERS Gene Dole, Chairman of the Board Dodge City Medicial Center Steven Fry, Chairman Elect Raymond James Fin. Michael Brakey, Secretary/Treasurer Brak-Hard Concrete Terry Janson, Immediate Past Chair Victory Electric Dan Schenkein, President/CEO Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce VICE CHAIRMAN Ken Strobel City of Dodge City Jeff Thorpe Mariah Fund DIRECTORS Margaret Butcher, DC Women’s Chamber Jeff Renner, United Wireless Jessica Slattery, Sunflower Bank Jeff Thorpe, Mariah Fund Inga Vazquez, Central Station Michael Brakey, Brak-Hard Concrete Steven Fry, Raymond James Fin. Diane Giardine, Boot Hill Casino & Resort Susan Otterstein, Centera Gavin Unruh, EmbroidMe Tom Allen, Cargill Meat Solutions Opie Astorga, National Beef Angie Hamlin, Headcases Salon Jeff Hiers, KFSA Duane Ross, High Plains Journal EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Ken Strobel, City Manager Ed Elam, County Administrator Jan Stevens, CVB Director Don Woodburn, DCCC President Tom Taylor, DC/FC Dev Corp Chairman Alan Cunningham, USD #443 Superintendent April 2013 Chamber Delegates Travel to Nation’s Capitol Last month several chamber leaders joined community leaders to meet with our Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. We were there as part of the Western Kansas Congressional Delegation Staff Briefing meetings. Several communities from Western Kansas had delegates who spent the better part of the day interacting and meeting with Congressional Staff about a variety of issues including: rural housing, immigration, community grant programs, agriculture, and the Federal Debt. In the afternoon, each community took turns visiting the Senate and House offices of the Kansas Delegation. As expected, security entering those buildings was tight. Each group, of course, had their own agenda to bring forth, and the feedback we received from Congressional Staff was very complimentary as to the level of preparation that was put forth on the part of Dodge City. Our group was well lead by City Commissioner Joyce Warshaw and County Commissioner Chris Boys. They helped to lead discussion in the private meetings in which we took part at the Congressional offices. Also participating in our group were Ken Strobel and Cherise Tieben from City Hall whose office put together our briefing materials, along with Chamber Board Chairman Gene Dole and me. An evening reception at the RNC Headquarters was also held to host and thank the Kansas Congressional Staff members for all they do on behalf of their bosses, and most importantly, us their constituents. Dodge City Hosts Legislators in Topeka On March 19th, nearly 50 folks travelled to Topeka for the annual Dodge City Night at the Legislature. Our community hosted the State Legislature for a dinner and entertainment. It’s one of the most widely attended events in Topeka during the Legislative Session…maybe it has something to do with the fine Dodge City steaks we serve them! Thanks to Cargill for sponsoring this year’s steak dinner. What a perfect opportunity for community representatives to meet with Legislators from across the State to visit with them about key issues. The following day, local officials stayed in town to testify in Legislative Hearings about several pieces of legislation. CHAMBER STAFF Dan Schenkein,President [email protected] Erica Vazquez,Office Manager [email protected] Adrianne Melendez, Director of Operations [email protected] OFFICE INFORMATION Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm 311 West Spruce Street/PO Box 939 Dodge City, Kansas 67801 (620) 227-3119 | (620) 227-2957 www.dodgechamber.com [email protected] www.facebook.com/dcace