Smithfield-Selma Chamber E-ChatsJanuary 9, 2012
Happy New Year
In This Issue
Chamber Champions
Upcoming Events
Start 2012 with Trust
Board of Directors
Photos/Athena Award
Chamber Champions

Need more exposure? Be

a Chamber Champion!

Receive maximum exposure, value and convenience by signing on to this sponsorship program. Chamber Champions are provided tickets for events, preferred seating, and advertising  through print and online publications - all at a discount over individual prices! See the link below for more information.
 
 
Thank you 2011 Chamber Champions!
Athena Award

Nominations sought for Athena Award

You can nominate a deserving person for this year's CORESTAFF Athena Award. Presented at the annual meeting, the award goes to someone who has promoted women in business and the professions. Visit the link below for more information and a nomniation form.


Athena Award Nomination Form
 
 New Things to Come
Jason Wenzel is new board chair
  
Worley
Jason Wenzel
Wenzel
At its December meeting, the Board of Directors appointed Jason Wenzel, an attorney with Smithfield firm Narron, O'Hale & Whittington, PA. as the 2012 board chair of the Chamber. The Wake Forest University graduate previously served as Chamber treasurer and was in the 2008 class of Leadership Johnston.

Earl Worley Jr., the chief operating officer of KS Bank, Inc, is the new chair-elect. Neil Watson, a CPA with Watson, Cooke & Jones, will serve as treasurer. Keith Brinson, the immediate past chair of the Chamber and a Johnston County Farm Bureau Insurance agent, was named as the Chamber's representative on the Johnston County Tourism Authority.
 
The following is a list of 2012 Chamber Board of Directors.
 
OFFICERS
 
Board Chair: Jason Wenzel, Narron, O'Hale & Whittington, PA
Chair-Elect: Earl Worley, KS Bank, Inc.
Treasurer: Neil Watson, Watson, Cooke & Jones, PA
Immediate Past Chair: Keith Binson, J.C. Farm Bureau Insurance
Economic Development Vice Chair: Harold Keen, KS Bank, Inc.
Education Vice Chair: Dr. David Johnson, Johnston Community College
Membership Services Vice Chair: Woody Bailey, Woody's Computing Serv.
Public Policy Vice Chair: Roger Pope, Four Oaks Bank & Trust
Tourism Authority Representative: Keith Brinson, J.C. Farm Bureau Ins.

DIRECTORS

Sarai Daniels, Sleep Inn & Suites
Keith Dimsdale, Chick-fil-A
Richard Douglas, Town of Selma
Bill Galloway, First Citizens Bank
Jessica Gilmore, 231 Market Classic Printing
Lee Jackson, Dees, Jackson, Jackson & Associates
Tina Lee, DeWayne's
Tony Lester, Atlantic Coast Protein Corporation
Kim McCullers, Mitchell Temporary Services
Dr. Dwight Morris, Partnership for Children of Johnston County
Charles Reid, Reid's Print Services
Vicki Shore, Johnson County Industries
Larry Stancil, Stancil Oil Company
Mark Wellons, Johnston County Farm Bureau
Tina Winborne, Deacon Jones Auto Park

 

 

CWBN seminar, annual meeting coming up
 
January 19 - Chamber Women's Business Network Seminar & Luncheon
"Changing with Challenges: How Women are Successful At It," 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Hinnant Vineyards. Register here
 

January 21 - Deacon Jones Grand Opening Kick-Off Event

Refreshments, door prizes and tour of new showroom and facility, 9 am to 6 pm, Deacon Jones Auto Park, 1115 N. Bright Leaf Boulevard, Smithfield.

 

January 30 - 42nd Annual Meeting of the Chamber

Banquet with citizen awards presentations, 6:00 pm, Johnston County Agricultural Center. Mark your calendar

 

February 9 - Breakfast Before Business

Networking with presentation of Johnston Community College Industry Partner of the Year, sponsored by Johnston Communtiy College Foundation and the Johnston County Association of Chambers of Commerce, 7:30 am, Great Hall at JCC. Mark your calendar

 

Christmas open house at the Chamber

Open House on December 14, 2011 
The Chamber Women's Business Network hosted an open house at the Chamber on December 14. CWBN members Corina Knott of Interstate Outdoor (second from left) and Christina Peterson of the Partnership for Children of Johnston County (far right) welcome Leslie VanHoy and Dr. David Johnson of Johnston Community College. The Chamber would also like to thank Barbour Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Delta Sigma Theta Business Sorority and the Partnership for Children of Johnston County for providing decorations at the Chamber office for the Christmas holidays.

 

 

Start with trust in 2012

 

From the Better Business Bureau
  • How online advertisers can establish trust - Online advertisers and media companies have to be transparent in their actions to help build trust with privacy-conscious consumers.
  • What you need to protect your customers' privacy - Poor handling of customers' private information can land you in legal hot water and erode trust. Figure out what customer data you need and how much you are actually collecting.
  • What to do if you've been hacked - Focusing on cybersecurity is essential to prevent your company's networks from getting hacked, but what should you do if the hackers succeed?
  • How to improve your social media sales approach - Some businesses fail to fully take advantage of social networks because they are still simply broadcasting sales messages. To achieve social media success, businesses should direct their messages at the consumers who will be most interested in it. It's also important to provide high-quality content and ask consumers to share information with you.