Small Business Development   

VP Phyllis Boyd-VanHoy, Small Business Center Network, WCC 

• Provide educational and informative presentations for small business owners
• Develop an incentive program to encourage entrepreneurialism with Wilkes County School and Wilkes Community College students
• Strengthen chamber membership with the promotion of the “Welcome to Wilkes” program by recruiting additional business participation
• Support local buying through promotion of the Chamber’s CertifiChecks
• Advocate for statewide health insurance through NC Chamber

Education

VP Wanda Hutchinson, Wilkes County Board of Education 

• Enhance communication regarding education initiatives and area workforce development
• Advocate for funding of the construction of health technologies at Wilkes Community College
• Support New Century Scholars Program, financing four scholarships through the Wilkes Chamber Foundation
• Assist Wilkes County Schools with High School Graduation Project Initiative, focusing on business mentoring needs
• Facilitate Unsung Hero Award presentations
• Assist Wilkes County Schools in their recruitment of highly qualified teachers, coordinating incentives from local businesses

Workforce Development  

VP Ginger Shaffer, Workforce Investment Act Director, WCC 

• Hold bi-monthly committee meetings at membership business and industry locations, gaining greater knowledge of workforce concerns
• Feature articles in chamber newsletter focusing on workforce transformations, recruitment and retention issues
• Partner with Wilkes JobLink to market local job fairs on chamber website and in chamber publications
• Promote Speakers Bureau Program within local educational systems
• Educate the business community about WorkPath System and Career Readiness Certificate (CRC).

Economic Growth 

VP Bill Warden, Retired Lowe’s Companies, Inc. 

• Commission a study to determine the need for “niche businesses” that would support existing local businesses 
• Advocate and educate the construction of the raw water intake   and associated infrastructure
• Partner with municipal governments and the Tourism Beautification Subcommittee in efforts to revitalize and restore downtown areas
• Adopt a “brand” image for the county, collaborating with the brand developed with the Tourism marketing/promotion effort
• Through chamber membership contacts, encourage assistance with recruiting material suppliers for possible future business expansion in Wilkes
• Advocate for the expansion of health care services in Wilkes

Tourism/Quality of Life

VP Matt Mayberry, Holiday Inn Express

• Encourage Wilkes County Commissioners to implement a  countywide occupancy tax at a suggested 3% rate
• Promote travel package opportunities to include attractions, events, and overnight accommodations, strengthening the tourism industry
• Participate in the Northwest NC and Southwest Virginia Regional Tourism Initiative known as “Cascade Highlands”
• Coordinate marketing of county tourism with Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority and with area retirement communities
• Complete initiative to create a tourism “brand” image and develop an advertising/marketing plan
• Support Beautification Committee and encourage collaboration with the county and municipalities to improve overall appearance of Wilkes, endorsing clean-up of roadsides, businesses, & rivers
• Support the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Initiative, promoting the Wilkes County Heritage Plan
• Engage in dialogue with county and municipal planning boards relative to land use and preservation
• Contract with County of Wilkes to manage and operate the Northwest NC Hwy. 421 Visitor’s Center

 Wilkes Vision 20/20

 VP Dan Little, SunTrust Bank  

• Engage in dialogue with county and municipal planning boards relative to land use and preservation
• Enhance communications with general public, members of the chamber and Wilkes Vision 20/20, and the media
• Promote and support the Government Strategic Alliance and initiatives endorsed
• Coordinate and support education initiatives as identified by the join Education Committee, the Wilkes Schools, Wilkes Community College, and the public at-large

Leadership Wilkes 2009  

VP Darrell Miller, Wilkes Community College 

• Coordinate Leadership Wilkes 2008 with a goal of 16 participants
• Host a Leadership Wilkes Alumni and Non-Profit Organization volunteer familiarization seminar, encouraging graduates to get involved

Youth Leadership– UTA 2009

VP Eric Cramer, Wilkes Telecommunications Inc.

• Partner with Wilkes County Schools to facilitate a 2008 Youth Leadership program; engage participation of Leadership Wilkes Alumni  
• Assist UTA (United Teens In Action) in selection and implementation of class projects
• Encourage Leadership Wilkes alumni participation within UTA

Ambassadors/Membership

VP Cynthia Staley, Elite Insurance Group 

• Maintain 85% or better retention rate

• Increase membership by 15%
• Maintain current active ambassadors, recruit 5 additional ambassadors & increase indiv. chamber membership contact