Eleven elected to Marion Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Eleven members of the Marion Chamber of Commerce have been elected to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Each will serve on the Board from 2016 to 2019.
 
Five are new board members, and the remaining are incumbents.
 
The six incumbents are:

• Rick Richert with Flanders Electric
• Dr. Keith Oates with Community Unit #2 Schools
• Shannon Johnson with Williamson County Tourism Bureau
• Steve Cook with Farmers State Bank
• Jennifer Olson with Farmers State Bank
• Amber Ciochetto with Crisp Container Co.

 
The five new board members are:
 
Matt Lee with First Southern Bank
Lee is a commercial loan officer with First Southern Bank and is the President of the Marion Lion’s Club, Treasurer of the Williamson County Fire Protection Board, and Board Member of the Unit 2 Foundation Board. He has been involved in Marion Youth Sports as a Recreation and Travel Baseball Coach.
To Lee, his perception of a Marion Chamber of Commerce Board member is to “actively participate in growing and promoting the Marion Chamber,” including “interacting with, supporting, and promoting Chamber members and other businesses in the community and assisting in planning and decision-making to help further the Chamber’s mission and purpose.” Lee added, “I believe my 23 years of business and volunteer experience will be an asset to the Marion Chamber Board.”
 
Michelle Hamilton with John A. Logan College
Hamilton is the Director of Corporate Education with John A. Logan College. She is President of Williamson County 708 and Board member of Centerstone of IL and Shawnee Health Services. Her community services/volunteer involvement includes Marion Elks Lodge #800, Marion Unit 2 Wellness Center Advisory Committee, SI Parrotheads, Middle Child Inc., Mike Strang Scholarship Foundation, IL Community College Economic Development Association, and SI Connect.
“I have worked with many of the businesses in Marion and the surrounding area, served on several boards and advisory committees and am very involved in the community,” Hamilton said. “Being in Workforce Education at John A. Logan College for the past 19 years, I am familiar with the needs of Southern Illinois businesses.”
 
Matt Monchino with Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Monchino is the General Manager at Holiday Inn Express and Suites and the Chairman of the Williamson County Tourism Bureau. He has also served on HerrinFesta security team and Black Diamond Harley Davidson concert volunteer group.
Monchino is confident that his proven leadership and results, both at his job and in the community, and his experience and expertise will be an asset to the Marion Chamber and its members.
 
Jessica Force with Williamson County Government
Force is the Human Resources Director for the Williamson County Government. Force as been involved in Southern Illinois Professional Management Association and Society for Human Resource Management.
“My perception of being on the Board of Directors is to help the Chamber grow by continuing to be involved and promoting the benefits of joining,” Force said. “I believe that working together as a board is very important in bringing new ideas and life to the Chamber as a whole. I enjoy hearing the ideas of others.”
 
Mindy Reid with Banterra Bank
Reid is the Banking Center Manager at Banterra Bank on Carbon Street and serves on many Marion Chamber committees. Reid said she hopes to bring to the table “thoughtful insight, creative ideas, confident decision-making, compromise, motivation, teamwork, dedication, and the follow-through needed to assist in making the Chamber a success as well as continued growth.
“I am best qualified due to the experience I have gained not just by being a member but by being an involved member. Through my years of employment, whether in the financial field or sales industry, I have honed my customer service, teamwork, and leadership skills.”
 
The new directors were presented during the December Monthly Membership Luncheon on Tuesday, December 8 at Kokopelli.
 
“The Marion Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all of the candidates who allowed their names to stand in the election, and all of the Chamber members who exercised their right to vote,” said Dalus Ben Avi, executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to working with all of the Board of Directors in the coming year to ensure the continued growth and success of the Chamber and the greater Marion area.”
 
The new Executive Board was also announced at the December Monthly Membership Luncheon. Those serving on the Executive Board for 2016 are:

• Immediate Past Chair - Ashley Gott with Bank of Herrin
• Chair - Doug Kimmel with Williamson County Regional Airport
• 1st Vice Chair - Kenya Garner with State Farm Insurance
• 2nd Vice Chair - Janet Jensen with Withers Broadcasting
• Secretary - Gail Barger with Priority Staffing Group Ltd
• Treasurer - Kimberly Walker with Kemper CPA Group LLP

 
The term of the newly elected directors officially begins the evening of the 95th annual Marion Chamber of Commerce Auction & Awards Banquet on Friday, January 15, 2016, at the Pavilion of the City of Marion. Reservations for the event are currently being accepted. To RSVP for the Annual Banquet, call the Chamber office at (618) 997-6311, email director@marionillinois.com or visit www.marionillinois.com.



From left: Matt Monchino, Rick Richert, Amber Ciochetto, Jessica Force, Mindy Reid, Shannon Johnson, Michelle Hamilton, and Dr. Keith Oates attended the December Monthly Membership Luncheon at Kokopelli on Tuesday, December 8.


Jennifer Olson


Matt Lee

Not pictured: Steve Cook