Thanksgiving is an appropriate time to thank four people who will leave their board positions the end of December. The governing body of our chamber has always had a very special group of people who served for the betterment of our chamber, our city, and of course our business family.
Dave Collins has served on our board for four years. Opportunity Enterprises has been a chamber member for many years. The relationship between the chamber and this member is excellent. Dave’s relationship with his peers is apparent every meeting through the discussions that he initiates and responds to. Dave has been an excellent volunteer offering his time at our PCBN Event and Golf Outing and offering his personal time at every chamber cookout at Town & Country over the last four years. Dave’s attendance at our luncheons and near perfect attendance at monthly meetings has not gone unnoticed.
Bill Satterlee has served on our board for four years. The law firm of Hoeppner, Wagner and Evans, thanks to Bill Satterlee, has been a major supporter of our chamber for four years. Bill has been a resource to our board, active in our events and has continually ended every visit we have had with the quote, “let me know whatever we can do for the chamber”. The first statement from Bill after he realized his term was ending was that Hoeppner, Wagner, and Evans would want to have board representation in Portage in the future.
Ann Marsh is leaving the chamber board after serving eight years. Ann served as Treasurer on the Executive Board for most of her first four years and was then nominated for the Vice-President’s position. The next four years, Ann held a leadership position up to and including the presidency. Ann sat on the Budget Committee most of her time on the board along with the Banquet Committee. Ann is currently Chamber of the Banquet Committee. In spite of working in Chicago, Ann rarely missed a meeting over her eight years of service.
Attorney Susan Kelly-Johnson is leaving the chamber board after serving a four year term which was preceded by an eight year term which included serving as President for a year. Susan has chaired the Directory Committee for several years as well as the Awards Committee. Susan also sits on the Banquet Committee and the Golf Committee. Besides her continuous volunteer hours, Susan is supporting of every event and activity the chamber partakes in throughout the year.
Two things are for sure is losing the four outstanding board members and the second the Portage Chamber of Commerce is a stronger organization today because of the efforts of these four individuals during their terms.
The Chamber of Commerce, the City of Portage, and this directory are incredibly blessed to have enjoyed the gifts and talents of these great human beings and special friends.