Monthly Message by Michele Siekerka

November 2009

A Dynamic New Chamber Year…

October is the beginning of a new fiscal year at the Chamber and what a year it will be…..but before we look forward, we must reflect on how the strength of the past provides an excellent foundation from which to advance. To that end, I want to thank Jeff Perlman for his outstanding two years as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. Under Jeff’s leadership our Chamber has become much more engaged in policy issues impacting our members and our region, making us a strong voice for business advocacy. It is fair to say that our presence has been greatly elevated as a policy initiator.

Jeff’s common sense approach to handling challenges and opportunities has helped to strengthen the Chamber in many ways. Being heralded as the “man of few words” Jeff always used his pulpit as a means to deliver focused, timely and relevant information. As a true collaborator in the real sense Jeff was instrumental in bringing together our “Joint Legislative Committee”- including the Princeton Chamber and Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber for the purpose of ensuring that our business community can have the broadest and strongest voice. Being savvy to our economic times, Jeff was a staunch supporter of the creation of our new Economic Development Foundation. I believe Jeff will be remembered as a leader that brought new depth to the Chamber. Personally, I want to thank Jeff for his amazing support, confidence and friendship!!!

I also want to acknowledge and thank three individuals who have served on our Executive Committee for more years than can be recalled… Al DeBlasio, who also served as our Chamber’s Treasurer, Don Loff and Tim Losch - both of whom are past Chairmen of our Board. Gentlemen, the wisdom, knowledge and practical experience you all shared with us is what has made this Chamber the organization it is today. Thank you for your guidance over many years and for always having the Chamber’s best interests in mind. While you all will continue to serve on our Board of Directors, the depth of your combined experience will surely be missed at our Executive table.

From this strong foundation comes the next chapter…enter our new Chairman (which I know she was emphatic in being called)…Sherise Ritter, aka Sheri. Sheri is focused on taking Jeff’s lead and bringing even more depth to our chamber. In preparing to lead the Chamber Sheri was charged with chairing our Annual Hall of Fame Dinner and Strategic Planning committee. Relative to the former she blew the budget off the charts two years in row and on the latter, she ensured that all workgroups and committees stayed true to delivering on our strategic initiatives over this past year.

MRCC…Get Connected. Get Results.