Sacramento Metro Chamber Membership
HomeAboutCommittees
 

Join the Metro Chamber
 

Metro Chamber Committees


THE SACRAMENTO METRO CHAMBER UTILIZES VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP through multiple committees that provide members with the opportunity to serve and make their voices heard on policy matters, events, programs and activities managed by the Metro Chamber. More than 450 members volunteer their time yearly to provide the pivotal direction that leads the organization.

The Metro Chamber encourages participation, and in fact relies on the expertise of members to guide the actions of the organization. Service on a committee is an important way for businesses to play a relevant leadership role, increase the value of membership and increase visibility among member businesses. | Committees Calendar (pdf)


Public Policy & Economic Development Committees | Membership Committees | Programs & Event Committees | Communications Committee | Community Programs

Executive Committee & Board of Directors
The 79 voting member Board of Directors and its Executive Committee lead and guide the Sacramento Metro Chamber. Each department of the Metro Chamber is steered by a committee and its vice chair, who is a member of the Executive Committee. View Metro Chamber Board

 Public Policy & Economic Development Department

  • Maggie Townsley, ICF International -- Vice Chair, Public Policy

  • Ashil Abhat, Bank of America Merrill Lynch -- Vice Chair, Jobs & Business Growth

  • Staff:  Matt Yancey, Director, Business & Economic Development, 916-321-9153

  • Staff:  Johnnise Foster-Downs, Manager Regional Policy & External Relations, 916-321-9154 

JOBS & BUSINESS GROWTH
Provides  overarching leadership to ensure public policies adopted at the federal, state, regional and local level are innovative and empower businesses to flourish.

  • Terry Harevego, Harvego Enterprises -- Co-Chair

  • Tom Kandris, American River Packaging -- Co-Chair

METRO PULSE
Manages Metro Pulse partnership.

  • Ernesto Lucero, City of West Sacramento -- Chair

  • Dean Peckham, City of Sacramento -- Vice Chair

WORKFORCE & EDUCATION
Advocates for education policies and sources of funding which meet the workforce needs of employers in the Sacramento region, enhance educational outcomes and workforce preparation of students, and drive higher education objectives

  • Philip Arndt, Comcast -- Chair

  • Dave Butler, NextED -- Vice Chair

CIVIC AMENITIES
Works collaboratively with regional stakeholders to identify a unified funding strategy to support civic amenities spanning entertainment, the arts, sports, science, recreation, sustainable agri-tourism and cultural attractions.

  • Warren Smith, Clean World Partners -- Co-Chair 

  • Tim Youmans, Economic Planning Systems (EPS) -- Co-Chair

  • Bill Blake, B Street Theatre -- Co-Chair 

FLOOD / WATER 
Pursues funding for flood protection efforts in the six-county region from local, state and federal sources and pursues “regional friendly” policies for flood protection projects and efforts in the six-county region.

  • Ric Rinehart, MBK Engineers -- Co-Chair

  • John Woodling, Regional Water Authority -- Co-Chair

  • Shauna Lorance, San Juan Water District -- Co-Chair

AIR QUALITY (Cleaner Air Partnership–a Metro Chamber partner)
Advocates at the local, state and federal level for policies and programs that help minimize smog-forming emissions from mobile sources such as cars and trucks in a manner that does not negatively impact job creation or the economic climate.

LAND USE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Enhances public policies that affect our region’s land use policies and natural resources in a collaborative, integrated and sustainable manner. 

  • Brian Plant, Remy, Moose & Manley -- Co-Chair

  • Stacey McKinley, The McKinley Consulting Group -- Co-Chair

  • Deanne Green, Brookfield -- Co-Chair

TRANSPORTATION
Proactively advocates at the local, regional, state and federal levels for programs and policies that benefit the regional transportation system for both people and goods movement.

  • Alen Glen, Quincey Engineering -- Co-Chair

  • Gene Endicott, Endicott Communications -- Co-Chair

  • Cheryl Creson, PB Americas  -- Co-Chair 

HEALTH CARE & BIOSCIENCES
Enhances both the health care and the biosciences industry clusters in a collaborative manner with other regional stakeholders. Additionally, the committee should provide oversight and proactively engage in health care policy at the federal, state and local level.

  • Rick Heron, Western Health Advantage -- Chair   

AD HOC ISSUES TASK FORCE
Addresses significant critical issues or legislation that arise unplanned.

  • Maggie Townsley, ICF International -- Chair 

  • Ashil Abhat, Bank of America Merrill Lynch -- Vice Chair 

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (METRO PAC)
Continue to solidify influence and effectiveness by strategically supporting pro-business candidates and raising funds to support political activities.

  • Frank Washington, KBTV -- Chair

  • Roy Brewer, Brewer Lofgren LLP -- Vice Chair

Membership Department

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Focuses on member recruitment and retention and audits current member services.

  • James Beckwith, Five Star Bank  -- Vice Chair of Membership

ARDEN ARCADE BUSINESS COUNCIL
Committee focuses on working for a stronger business community within Arden Arcade by advocating and promoting the Arden Arcade business community. Visit the Arden Arcade website, www.arden-arcade.org, for more information.

  • Tim Cahill, Charles C. Bell Inc. -- Chair

  • Rob Ford, Ames-Grenz Insurance Services --Vice Chair

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE
Committee plans activities of the Metro Chamber's premier volunteer group that acts as a liaison between the Metro Chamber and its members. Details

  • Kristi Lakich, TelePacific Communications-- Chair

  • Ellie Shaw, Shaw Media Consulting - Vice Chair

 

 

Programs & Events Department

PROGRAMS & EVENTS
Produce relevant, quality events to advance Metro Chamber objectives and to serve members’ interests for information, networking and visibility

  • Tim Murphy, Aerojet -- Vice Chair of Programs and Events

  • Staff: Renee Siden, Director, Programs & Events, 916-319-4262

CAPITOL-TO-CAPITOL STEERING COMMITTEE
Organizes the annual trip of business and civic leaders to Washington D.C., April 13 - 17, 2013, to advocate on issues of concern to the region. Committee limited to team captains.

  • Babs Sandeen, Los Rios Community College District -- Chair

  • Keri Thomas, Sutter Health -- 1st Vice Chair

  • Scott Shapiro, Downey Brand LLP -- 2nd Vice Chair

METRO EDGE
Plans and implements activities for the Metro Chamber's young professionals group.

  • Gordon Fowler, 3Fold Communications, Board Liaison

PERSPECTIVES STEERING COMMITTEE
Plans, prepares and assists in the organization of Perspectives, scheduled for Sept. 23, 2011. Limited to Perspectives sponsor and partner representatives.

  • Roger Niello, Metro Chamber -- Chair

STATE LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT
Plans the annual advocacy day at the State Capitol, March 6, 3013. Limited to Team Captains.

  • Alex Taghavian, University of Phoenix -- Chair

  • Krista Bernasconi, KFB Public Affairs -- Vice Chair

STUDY MISSION STEERING COMMITTEE
Comprised of team captains in 5-6 issue areas; organizes the annual study mission trip on which business and civic leaders travel to learn about another American city.
Meets prior to September, 2013.

  • Christine Ault, Christine Ault Communications -- Chair

  • Tim Murphy, Aerojet -- Vice Chair

Communications Department

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Formulates and directs communication activities, emphasizing brand, strategic alliances, marketing and advertising strategies, internal and external communications programs and news media relations.

  • Gordon Fowler, 3Fold Communications—Vice Chair of Marketing & Communications

  • Staff: Carla Hass, Vice President, Communications & Marketing, 916-321-9147

Community Programs


PROJECT INSPIRE 
Assists in engaging the Metro Chamber and the region in prioritizing community leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy within their personal and professional objectives. The Metro Chamber’s Community Development efforts will also be branded as Project Inspire.

  • Chris Delfino, Downey Brand LLP – Vice Chair, Community Development 

  • Gordon Fowler, 3fold Communications – Board Liaison, Metro EDGE

  • Susan Harris, Sr. Vice President, Programs & Events

INSPIRE GIVING COMMITTEE
Leads effort in the development of a fundraising, management and giving strategy.

  • Michael Smith, Teichert -- Chair

LEADERSHIP SACRAMENTO
Comprised of mainly Leadership Sacramento alumni, assists with curriculum planning, sponsorship solicitation, recruitment of applicants and alumni involvement for the Leadership Sacramento program.

  • Kelly Bennett-Wofford, Cover The Kids -- Chair

  • Scott Moak, 3Fold Communications -- Vice Chair

LEADERSHIP SACRAMENTO ALUMNI COMMITTEE
Comprised of mainly Leadership Sacramento alumni, plans alumni reunion activities.

  • Michael Smith, Teichert -- Chair

METRO EDGE
Assists in planning Metro EDGE young professionals group philanthropic activities.

  • Ryan Porter, Rudolph-Sletten, Inc. -- Chair

SACRAMENTO METRO CHAMBER FOUNDATION
Assists in the implementation of the Metro Chamber Foundation initiatives and helps make decisions on requests for grants and support.

  • Randy Sater, StoneBridge Properties—Chair