Communique - Bessemer Alabama Chamber of Commerce
8
. Communique Communication: The Key to Successful Business MARCH 2013 UPCOMING EVENTS 03/12 Baked Ziti Scholarship Luncheon Fundraiser 11am-2pm @ 1 st Presbyterian Church {see event flyer} 03/14 Business After Hours Hosted by Rural Metro & Splash Adventure at the Hampton Inn from 4:30-6:30 pm, RSVP 425-3253 if you plan to attend 03/26 Board of Director’s Mtg. 11:45 am @ Chamber 03/31 Easter Sunday 04/24 Administrative Professional’s Day 04/25 3 rd Annual Beginner’s Day of Golf Tournament at Frank House at Noon {with golf clinic at 10:30 am} {see event flyer} 91 st Annual Meeting of the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Mr. Shelley Stewart, Chairman and CEO of O2 Ideas, was the special guest and keynote speaker at the Chamber's annual meeting held on February 7 th . A Birmingham area radio icon from the 1960s and 1970s, Shelley “The Play Boy”, brought back memories to many. He was also active during the Civil Rights events in and around Birmingham during that period. Mayor Kenneth Gulley and Chairman of the Board Billy Parsons reminisced about the era before Shelley spoke. Commemorating 50 years since the Civil Rights movement began, Shelley shared some of his experiences and wisdom. The food was provided by Bob Sykes BBQ and it was tremendous. BBQ is not all Van Sykes and his folks are good at cooking. Outgoing Chairperson Lynn Joyce was presented with a plaque and special gift noting her great leadership in 2012. Special thanks to the Civic Center staff, the City of Bessemer, All American Trophies and Loyle Seymour Jewelers for their support. Lawson State BAH a Huge Success! Dr. Perry Ward and the outstanding staff at Lawson State Community College were the perfect hosts for the Chamber's February Business After Hours. Co-sponsoring the event was Julie Bell, State Farm Insurance, who was there to make everyone feel welcome. Held at the basketball arena, the attendees were also able to attend the Lawson- Wallace State basketball game. The girls came up short but the boys were big winners. Mayor Kenneth Gulley and his wife, Yvonne, were on hand and really enjoyed the basketball games. The Cougar, Lawson's mascot, came by the reception room where the Chamber members, board members, and Lawson staff were networking to welcome all. Also, the State Farm “Neigh Bear” mascot was there giving all a photo opportunity. Mayor Gulley and Dr. Ward were in many, many photos with guests and the mascots. The food, provided by State Farm and the Culinary Department at Lawson, was wonderful. If you missed this Business After Hours you missed a great evening. But don't fret! The Chamber and Lawson want to make it happen again, so be watching your emails and newsletter for a future event. See page 2 for more pictures
Transcript of Communique - Bessemer Alabama Chamber of Commerce
m m
.
Communique Communique
Communication: The Key to Successful Business
MARCH 2013
UPCOMING
EVENTS
03/12 Baked Ziti Scholarship
Luncheon Fundraiser
11am-2pm @ 1st
Presbyterian Church
{see event flyer}
03/14 Business After Hours
Hosted by Rural Metro
& Splash Adventure at
the Hampton Inn from
4:30-6:30 pm, RSVP
425-3253 if you plan to
attend
03/26 Board of Director’s
Mtg. 11:45 am @
Chamber
03/31 Easter Sunday
04/24 Administrative
Professional’s Day
04/25 3rd Annual Beginner’s
Day of Golf
Tournament at Frank
House at Noon {with
golf clinic at 10:30 am}
{see event flyer}
91st Annual Meeting of the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Shelley Stewart, Chairman and CEO of O2 Ideas, was the special guest and keynote speaker at the
Chamber's annual meeting held on February 7th
. A Birmingham area radio icon from the 1960s and
1970s, Shelley “The Play Boy”, brought back memories to many. He was also active during the Civil
Rights events in and around Birmingham during that period. Mayor Kenneth Gulley and Chairman of the
Board Billy Parsons reminisced about the era before Shelley spoke. Commemorating 50 years since the
Civil Rights movement began, Shelley shared some of his experiences and wisdom.
The food was provided by Bob Sykes BBQ and it was tremendous. BBQ is not all Van Sykes and his
folks are good at cooking. Outgoing Chairperson Lynn Joyce was presented with a plaque and special gift
noting her great leadership in 2012. Special thanks to the Civic Center staff, the City of Bessemer, All
American Trophies and Loyle Seymour Jewelers for their support.
Lawson State BAH a Huge Success! Dr. Perry Ward and the outstanding staff at Lawson State Community
College were the perfect hosts for the Chamber's February Business
After Hours. Co-sponsoring the event was Julie Bell, State Farm
Insurance, who was there to make everyone feel welcome. Held at the
basketball arena, the attendees were also able to attend the Lawson-
Wallace State basketball game. The girls came up short but the boys
were big winners. Mayor Kenneth Gulley and his wife, Yvonne, were
on hand and really enjoyed the basketball games.
The Cougar, Lawson's mascot, came by the reception room where the
Chamber members, board members, and Lawson staff were networking
to welcome all. Also, the State Farm “Neigh Bear” mascot was there
giving all a photo opportunity. Mayor Gulley and Dr. Ward were in
many, many photos with guests and the mascots.
The food, provided by State Farm and the Culinary Department at
Lawson, was wonderful. If you missed this Business After Hours you
missed a great evening. But don't fret! The Chamber and Lawson
want to make it happen again, so be watching your emails and
newsletter for a future event.
See page 2 for more pictures
Annual Meeting in Pictures
Lawson State BAH in Pictures
2013 Magazine Being Distributed
Please take advantage of our new 2013
Bessemer Magazine and get copies for your
office. Distribution is in progress to all
motels, advertisers, and other locations.
They are going fast so contact the Chamber
at 425-3253 or come by.
March 2013 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 2
Chamber News
NEW MEMBERS – FEBRUARY
Aerotek
Jeremy Gilbert
1800 International Park Drive
Birmingham, AL 35243
PH 205-968-6119
F 205-968-6150
Business Category: Staffing Industry
First Baptist Church Carver
Bishop Sherman L. Young, Doris H.
Webster, Regina Pickens
1300 23rd
Street N.
Bessemer, AL 35020
PH 205-426-6956
Business Category: Church - Baptist
Jimmie Hale Mission
Terry Preston, Green Calhoun, Tony
Cooper
PO Box 10472
Birmingham, AL 35202
PH 205-323-5878
F 205-323-0733
www.jimmiehalemission.com
Business Category: Non Profit
Security Finance
Kenny Robertson
532 West Town Plaza
Bessemer, AL 35020
PH 205-424-5057
www.security-finance.com
Business Category: Small Loans
Sixth Avenue Beulah Baptist Church
Verda Horn
2502 Sixth Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
PH 205-426-0108
Business Category: Church - Baptist
2013 Board of Directors
Chairman
Billy Parsons, CPA
Chairman Elect
Charles King, Regional Paramedical Services
Treasurer / Finance Chairman
Eric Messer, Rural Metro Ambulance
Rev. Reginald Calvert, New Jerusalem Baptist Church
David Darby, Trustmark National Bank
Regina Doriety, Lawson State Community College
Joni Holt, Holt Insurance Company
Rob Kirkland, Legacy YMCA
Judy Mathis, Moore Coal Company
Tom McDougal, Medical West
Jerrellis Melton, Alabama Gas Company
Dr. John Poczatek, McCalla Dental
Kyle Sain, Town & Country FORD
Jon Staggs, Alabama Power Company Kim Starling, Brookwood Medical Center
Chuck Taylor, Splash Adventure Anthony Underwood, Anthony Underwood Auto.
2013 Ambassadors
Coordinator
Claire Mitchell, LaShun's Beauty Salon
Co Coordinator
Nikki Jordan, Sarrell Dental
Secretary
Nelda Pate, Retired
Michael Ashmore, Stellar Staffing
Kay Baggett, Retired
Sarah Beasley, Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, Inc
Sarah Belcher, Bessemer City Council
Beverly Edwards, Rural Metro Ambulance
Connie Fuell
Louise Hickey, Retired
Shirley Horn, Retired
Doris Lewis, City of Bessemer
Minnie Roper, Retired
Debbie Stewart, Digital Print Solutions
Lula Walter, City of Bessemer
Ericka Watson, Individual
Trisston Wright Burrows, Moore Coal Company
Save the Date!
APRIL 25th @ Noon
3rd Annual
Beginner’s Day of Golf
at Frank House Municipal Golf Course
Business News
Community News
BSA Camporee at Tannehill Boy Scout Troops from our area participated in the annual Cherokee District Camporee at Tannehill State Park on February 1-3. Each young
man attending earned his Polar Bear Award for winter camping and participated in some competition. Camping expertise was the focus of all the
competition with a troop chili cook off held Saturday night. There were close to 130 boys and leaders attending and J.T. Dabbs, Greater
Alabama Council Chief Executive, was there. In addition, Ronnie Acker, Cherokee District Chairman, and Will McIntyre, Cherokee District
Executive, helped J.T. judge the competition. It was a great event and the boys made the most of it.
Bessemer Fire Chief Paul Syx named Alabama Fire Chief of the Year for 2013 The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates our Bessemer Fire Chief Paul Syx, who was recently named Alabama Fire Chief of the
Year for 2013 by the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs (AAFC). The award was announced Feb. 7th
at the AAFC's executive development
conference.
The AAFC board approved Chief Syx's nomination for the award unanimously, according to James St. John, the group's president and the chief
of the Vestavia Hills Fire Department. Syx was nominated by his staff, according to Bessemer Fire Department Battalion Chief Shane Boyd.
"He has totally transformed the Bessemer fire service over the 12 years he has been here," Boyd said today. "He has acquired over $3 million in
grants for equipment for a city that's always been in a pretty desperate financial situation. He's made sure the guys stay on the cutting edge in
training. He has done an above-average job of leadership."
Chief Syx began his career as a fireman in 1977 in his hometown of Concord, Ala., and became one of Concord Fire's first paramedics. He went
to work for the Bessemer Fire Department in 1986, working his way through the ranks before being promoted to chief in 2000.
According to a biography of Syx prepared by his staff as part of his award nomination packet, the chief is a passionate believer in making sure
that his firefighters are constantly training. "Chief Syx did away with past policies of merely promoting on seniority and instead ushered in an
era where formal education as well as technical training was sought out for new promotions," the biography states.
Syx is the current president of the Southeast Association of Fire Chiefs which has about 12,000 members and is the largest regional group in the
international organization. St. John said that Syx will be in the running for the Fire Chief of the Year Award to be given by the Southeast
Association.
State DECA Competition It was a great honor to serve this year as a judge in the State DECA Competition held at the Sheraton Downtown on February 15
th. DECA
prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around
the globe. Our local high schools participate in DECA and the students represent our area in a professional manner.
DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, applying
learning in the context of business, connecting to business and the community and promoting competition. The student members leverage their
DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders. Join the Chamber in
thanking these type students for their desire to excel.
West Jefferson Wellness and Healthcare Coalition Meeting Industry and community leaders gathered on February 19
th at Discovery Alabama Events and Conference Center in Watermark Place to discuss
the development of a West Jefferson Wellness and Healthcare Coalition. Hosted by Anthony Underwood, the overall concept and framework for
this coalition is based on the successful Jackson Medical Mall (http://jacksonmedicalmall.org/), whose mission is to foster a holistic approach to
healthcare for the underserved and to promote community and economic development in the area.
A number of critical issues have drawn attention recently to the wellness and health care needs of those who live and work in western Jefferson
County. Several of the critical issues that have been discussed to date which represent potential areas of initial focus for such a coalition include
the:
Disruption of services at Cooper-Green Hospital;
Interest expressed by Jefferson County in The Mall at West Lake as a potential ‘medical mall’ to house health care services to residents of
the area;
Focus on applications of Patient-Centered Medical Home models;
Trend in health care providers towards establishing ‘satellite’ services in communities, thereby lowering costs and improving access;
Likely impact on services available in the community as a result of the roll out of the Affordable Care Act;
Need for a well-structured workforce training system that is connected to these and other demands in the industry, and basing the system in a
field-based laboratory that will facilitate advanced experiential learning;
March 2013 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 4
It’s Your Business By: Ronnie Acker, President
“Do the right thing because it is the right thing to do” said Coach Gene
Stallings at our recent Western Area Mayors Breakfast. Sometimes it is
hard to determine what the right thing to do is or should be or may be.
We have to determine the right thing to do based on our values, our work
ethic, our morals, our experiences, and often on what “feels right”.
However, we are influenced by our so called friends, our personal greed,
our self-centeredness, and our short sightedness which all taint our
determination of what the right thing to do should be. Why? Because of
the culture, environment, and situation we may be in. Coach Stallings
said, “Those older folks know what the right thing to do is better than the
new generation.” If so, it is because they come from a culture where hard
work, honesty, service to others, and self respect were engrained into their
being. But still there are members of the Boomer generation who do not
do the right thing most of the time.
As we look at ourselves we must evaluate who we are, where we come
from, why we are here and where we want to go. Choosing the right
thing to do is founded on those four concepts. Let’s discuss each.
Who am I? You begin with your ethnicity, your race, what country you
were born in and what language you speak. Next, the kind of parents you
have and what they teach or do not teach you. The home atmosphere that
you come from was either good or bad. The economic condition of your
home is another. But most importantly the person you are despite these
things or because of these things.
Where did I come from? Again your home, parents, and economic
condition matter. But you are also a product of your education, your
religion, your friends, your siblings, and your perception of your own self
worth. If you can look in the mirror and know that you are special
without others telling you that you are, then you come from good stock.
Self worth, self respect, and self confidence tells all that you come from
the right place despite the conditions you were born into.
Why am I here? Some will tell us to get as many things, as much money,
as much fun as we can. If that is why you are here then you are missing
the best parts of life. Simple things make life worthwhile. A good
attitude, a sense of humor, a good friend, a great spouse, satisfaction with
what you have but never content to remain as you are. These things mean
much more than dollars, cars, or other so called luxury items. We are
here to prove ourselves, to be the best we can be. Education, harmony,
March 2013 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 5
Business News (continued)
Opportunity to develop a support hub for the home health care
industry; and
Support more holistic and palliative approaches to health care,
including but not limited to
Exercise and recreation accessible to the community.
Rehabilitation on a comprehensive level.
Nutrition and a healthy food system.
Education and awareness.
Patient-Centered Medical Home models.
As the coalition moves forward with its next steps, including a
comprehensive needs assessment, there will be recommendations made. If
you have questions about the coalition please contact Anthony
Underwood.
home life shared with those you love – these are the things that impact your overall happiness and helps you prove yourself.
Finally, where do I want to go? Death is inevitable, that is a fact. We all will die. Can we take “things” with us? No! But we can leave a legacy either
good or bad from our time spent on this earth. What our legacy is depends on how we make people feel when they are with us. So where do I want to
go? To be the best person I can be, to impact people's lives and to make a difference in the daily things that I am involved in. Because if it is worth
doing, worth living, it is worth doing/living right. You decide what is right, you know what it is so as my Dad told me, “Go and do it.”
March 2013 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 6
2013 CORPORATE SPONSORS
2013 SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS
Paden & Paden, PC
