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Chamber of Commerce holds holiday party, election of officers

by jmaloni
Fri, Dec 17th 2010 12:00 pm

At its annual holiday party on Dec. 7, the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce elected seven directors to the board of directors.

Incumbents re-elected to three-year terms were: Teresa Costello, Grand Island Holiday Inn and Conference Center; Diane Thompson, Emerson/Control Technique Service Center; and Derek Ostrom of Ostrom Enterprise. Joe Philippone, manager of KeyBank, will also serve a three-year term.

Bonnie Sciuk, Brite Ideas Sales and Marketing Inc., and Don Benoit, Branches of Niagara Campgrounds, will serve two-year terms, and Mary Anne Fechter, Avon representative, will serve a one-year term.

Current sitting directors include: Skip Mazenauer of Niagara Frontier Publications, Fran McMahon of McMahon's Family Restaurant, Liz Wilbert of Century 21 Winklhofer, Sam Aceti of Aceti's Wine and Spirits, and Dawn Bonora of Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Executive Board elected for 2011: President - Eric Fiebelkorn, Toshiba Business Solutions; first vice president - Jim Sharpe, Sharpe Associates; second vice president - Robert M. Ratajczak, Jr., P.C.; secretary - Dr. Sherry Bradford, Oncology Research Therapeutics; treasurer - Michael Trachimowicz, manager of First Niagara Bank; past president - John Bonora, FSC Investments.

The chamber's new Youth Ambassadors, Sydney Dudish and Kathleen Rustowicz, were installed at the holiday party by Chairman Jim Sharpe and committee member Beverly Kinney. The program is a yearlong mentoring program that includes a scholarship for both. The ambassadors will be participating in all chamber events throughout the year.

Bonora was presented with a plaque for out-going president of three years for outstanding leadership and tireless dedication to the chamber. Bonora will remain on the chamber board as past-president.

Awards were presented to out-going officers "In recognition of their outstanding dedication and contributions which have substantially enriched the Grand Island Community."

Kinney has served (1999-2011), as president, past president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary as well as director. Beverly has been chair of the Citizen of the Year program for 12 years and was instrumental in developing many of the marketing tools for the event. She has served on: economic development, budget, elections, Youth Ambassador, scholarship, Dollars for Scholars, telephone book, networking, Island signs, Island Happenings, social events and marketing committees. She has also participated in the KidBiz event and many of the school programs such as Shadow Day and Corporate Bowl.

Anthony Rossi, out-going director, has served on the chamber board for more than five years. He has chaired and served on many chamber committees; networking, Island Happenings, marketing, audit, and telephone book. A local attorney on Grand Island and Island resident, Rossi offered his expertise as an attorney whenever needed to the chamber.

Toni Antonelli, owner of Adrian's Custard Stand, has been a chamber member of six years and board member for one. Antonelli has served on various chamber committees and helped out wherever needed.

The Youth Program Committee, Jim Sharpe and committee members, Dawn Bonora, Bev Kinney and Diane Thompson thanked the many businesses and individuals for their donations to the Chinese auction. The proceeds of the auction go the chamber's scholarship programs.

The chamber's board meetings are open to all members and the general public at 7 p.m. at the Buffalo Launch Club on Grand Island each third Tuesday of the month. The installation of directors and executive officers will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011.

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