Our vision: To be the indispensable resource for Allen and Collin County businesses.
Our mission: To support our members through programs that promote business development and encourage economic growth, educational excellence and legislative advocacy.
The Chamber would like to thank the following members for their generosity in sponsoring an event or by donating items or services: Bennigan's - Tuesday Morning Live Sponsor.
Visit the Chamber's website www.allenchamber.com to view the latest member buy member participating membership listing.
Executive Committee
Maxine Sweet
Chair of the Board
Experian
Patti McKee
Immediate Past Chair
Community Credit Union
Jim Waldbauer
Chair-Elect
BW2 Engineers
Christi Jefferson
Treasurer
Christi Taylor Jefferson, CPA
Frank O'Reilly
At Large
Sanmina-SCI
Worley Stein
At Large
American National Bank
Sharon Mayer
President/CEO
Allen Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Tom Apligian
REMAX - Apligian
Charisse Bodisch
Ex-Officio
Allen Economic Development Corporation
Bruce Heller
JaRyCo Development
Crispin Hocate
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
Chuck Hoey
Rapier, Wilson & Wendland, P.C.
Dr. Toni Jenkins
Ex-Officio
Collin County Community College
Lisa Johnson
State Farm Insurance
Dr. Jenny Preston
Ex-Officio
Allen Independent School District
Gene Rife
Stacy Furniture
Steve Rodgers
Emerson Partners
Bob Rothe
Fortune Financial Services
T. Randall (Randy) Sandifer
Ex-Officio
Attorney at Law
Peter Vargas
Ex-Officio
City of Allen
Patricia Watson, CPA
Staff
Julie Hynes
Director of Member Services
Carol Rodgers
Vice President, Operations
Josie Zendejas
Information Specialist
The Chamber would like to acknowledge and thank the following major investors
Platinum Investors
Atmos Energy
Comerica Bank
Emerson Partners
Experian
HIT Entetainment
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
RCL Enterprises
Sunbelt Telecommunications, Inc.
Twin Creeks Master Planned Community
Gold Investors
Carter & Burgess
Harvey & Tully, P.C.
Regions Bank
Remedies Wellness Spa
Sage Telecom, Inc.
Sanmina SCI
Strasburger & Price, LLP
TXU Electric Delivery
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Save the Date and Celebrate
Chamber & ACO Join Forces
Celebrate Allen, the Chamber's Annual Awards Banquet & Auction is a highlight of our annual program and provides us the opportunity to recognize those who have contributed so much to our community and our chamber. This year's event will be even more special as we partner with the Allen Community Outreach in an effort to assist them in recouping lost revenue when their annual Fall Gala was cancelled due to their involvement in the Hurricane Relief efforts. Celebrate Allen will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at the Renaissance Hotel in Richardson.
Please mark your calendars now. You won’t want to miss it!
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Adventures of Leadership
Leadership Allen has selected authors, teachers and consultants to expose you to new ways of thinking about leadership. The insight, wisdom, knowledge & skills that will be gained from this enjoyable seminar will make you a stronger leader tomorrow. This seminar is designed to benefit community & church leaders, nonprofit leaders, managers, business owners, intact work teams, leadership classes, meeting planners, administrators, leaders in transition, & long time learners from all walks of life.
Date: January 13, 2006
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 705 S. Central Expressway
Reservations: Required.
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Nothing But Networking
Interested in meeting prospective clients and making new friends? Then plan on attending the quarterly Nothing But Networking luncheon on Monday, January 23, 2006. This luncheon is strictly networking - providing those attending an opportunity to talk about their business, products and services. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude by 1:00 p.m. Come with plenty of business cards and other information about your business.
Cost: $17 Chamber Members; $20 Non & Prospective Members.
Location: Elkhorn Bar & Grill at Twin Creeks Golf Club, 501 Twin Creeks Drive
Reservations: Required (reservations@allenchamber.com.) or call 972-727-5585
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Business Wrap-Up
January 19, 2006
January's Business Wrap-Up, the Chamber's monthly business after hours event, will be held on Thursday, January 19th from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. at Jalapeno's, located at 121 N. Greenville Avenue.
The February Business Wrap Up will be hosted by Parkview in Allen on Thursday, February 16, 2006.
We hope you will take advantage of these "strictly social" networking opportunities. Bring plenty of business cards for exchanging and to enter the drawing for door prizes. Reservations are not required and there is no charge to attend.
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Want to Promote Your Business?
Consider Becoming an Ambassador
Make your New Years Resolution to become more involved with the Allen Chamber! 2006 is a year of new beginnings and see what is new with the Allen Ambassadors! Stop by the Ambassador Kick-Off that will be held on January 18, 2006 at TaMolli’s Restaurant (602 E. Main) from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. We are recruiting new Ambassadors for 2006 and encouraging the return of previous Ambassadors. So make your reservation today! Come and enjoy free food and maybe win a door prize! You will find out how your business can benefit from participating in this group! To be a part of the 2006 Ambassador Club this is a mandatory meeting.
Advanced Reservations Required! The deadline to make your reservation is Monday, January 16. To make a reservation please contact Julie Hynes at 972-727-5585 or email julie@allenchamber.com.
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Orchestrating Our Future
2006 Collin County Economic Summit
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
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Who/What: |
2006 Collin County Economic Summit:
Orchestrating our Future |
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When: |
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Registration: 11 a.m. |
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Where: |
Collin County Community College District
Spring Creek Conference Center
2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano |
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Cost:
includes lunch |
Early bird registration is $40 through Friday, Jan. 20.
After Jan. 20, the cost is $60. |
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Register: |
Seating is limited. Register today! |
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Sponsors: |
TBD |
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Co-hosts: |
Collin County, Inside Collin County Business, Collin County Community College District and the Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Richardson and Rockwall Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Corporations |
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Chairman's Coffee
New Member Orientation
Friday, February 17, 8:00 a.m.
Please be our guest for an informative New Member Orientation to learn more about the chamber and its services and meet the Chamber chair and staff. Members attending are encouraged to give a 30-second summary of their business and bring promotional items for prize giveaways.
Sponsor and Location: D.R.'s Neighborhood Grill, 111 Central Expressway North, Suite 102 (located inside Stacy Furniture)
Cost: None. Contintental breakfast provided by D.R.'s
Reservations: Requested. Please RSVP to reservations@allenchamber.com or call Julie Hynes at 972-727-5585.
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W.I.S.E. Luncheon
Need more organization in your work station?
Tuesday, February 21, 11:30 a.m.
Ladies, join us at our quarterly W.I.S.E. Luncheon. Tonia Tomlin is featured in "Mission Organization" showing off her skills in an Allen area home. Her presentation to the W.I.S.E. audience will be about work-related organizing tips. Series Sponsor:  Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 705 Central Expressway South. Cost: $20 Chamber members and their guests; $25 prospective members Reservations: Required. Email reservations@allenchamber.com or call 972-727-5585.
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Volunteers Recognized
2005 Chairman of the Board Patti McKee (back row, center) thanked those volunteers who helped make the year a success at the Allen Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Luncheon held on Tuesday, December 13, 2005. 
Ambassador of the Quarters
1st & 2nd Quarter – Knute Bailey, Costco Wholesale
3rd Quarter – Joe Yannessa, Solutions Automotive
4th Quarter – Peter Young, Independent Income Advisors
Retiring Board Members
Sonia Malone, Allen Premium Outlets (not pictured)
Griff Moore, Atrium Financial Services
Randy Sandifer, Sandifer Law
2005 Committee Chairs
Maxine Sweet – Strategic Planning
Kurt Kizer – Leadership Allen (2004-2005)
Dr. Richard Bush – Golf Tournament & Ambassador Club (not pictured)
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KUDOS to Chamber Members
Congratulations are in order for the following chamber members:
Richard O. Bush, Ph.D., L.P.C., Mind Over Matter is pleased to announce that after a nine month documentation process, he is now licensed by the State of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor still in private practice in Allen, Texas. He can be reached at 979-727-1400.
Joe Jaynes, Collin County Commissioner, recently passed the Texas Bar Exam.
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Member Anniversaries
The Chamber would like to recognize and thank these members who have recently renewed their investment in the Chamber. With the support of our members, we can continue to offer programs and services to help your business.
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New Members
The following members recently joined the Chamber. Please print this list and add it to your membership directory. Remember to support your fellow Chamber members!
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Tuesday Morning Live
EVERY TUESDAY, 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Location: Bennigan’s, 305 N. Central Expressway
Cost: $1 for members; $3 for prospective members*
Reservations: Not required.
*Prospective members may attend a total of 3 meetings.
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Capitol Steps
by State Rep. Ken Paxton
Representative Paxton shares with you information from the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Travel Division regarding the 20th Anniversary of the Don't Mess with Texas campaign. While litter on Texas highways continues to be a problem, the amount of litter on the side of the road has decreased compared to 20 years ago when the Don't Mess with Texas campaign began. He also discusses the Community Lifeline Center in McKinney, whose mission is to improve the well being of people by providing crisis support services, and the Supreme Court's Ruling on School Finance. In addition, Rep. Paxton discusses the creation of the Texas Tax Reform Commission, a panel charged with developing proposals to modernize the state tax system, provide long-term property tax relief, and soundly finance public schools. The Commission is to be headed by former State Comptroller John Sharp.
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The County Line
by County Commissioner Joe Jaynes
The North Central Texas Council of Government’s (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation Council (RTC) recently announced funding for its annual Call for Projects. The RTC allocated approximately $28 million in federal transportation funds to high growth areas in the eastern region of the state in order to relieve bottlenecks and improve air quality. Of that $28 million, Collin County received more than $17 million, which is over 60 percent of the total funding. Do keep in mind this funding is subject to public hearings and final approval by the RTC. Overall, 34 projects were submitted and seven were chosen. Of those seven, three were in Collin County.
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SCORE Counseling at Chamber
Appointments available each Thursday afternoon!
Need help with your existing small business or thinking of starting a new one? SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) can provide you valuable business counseling, mentoring and ideas, and it's...FREE.
Mel Biggs, a SCORE representative, will be in the Chamber office each Thursday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. to meet with clients. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Chamber office at 972-727-5585.
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Chamber Hosts Job Bank
Does your company have a job opening or do you know of someone looking for a job? Then, refer to the Chamber's new job bank. Simply go to the chamber's website at www.allenchamber.com and click on "job bank". You can submit a job opening online or browse the job listings.
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Committee Meetings
January
Ambassadors - Wednesday, January 18 - 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Tamolli's
Executive Committee - Thursday, January 26 - 4:00 p.m. - Chamber
February
Leadership Allen Steering Committee - Friday, February 3 - 8:00 a.m. - Chamber
Ambassadors - TBD
Board of Directors - Thursday, February 23 - 4:00 p.m. - Chamber
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