2012 Will See Search for New Chamber Leader

At it’s annual meeting Tuesday, members of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce looked back on a successful 2011 and forward to the challenges of 2012.

The meeting, catered by Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack and Spotted Dog Winery, was held at Stone Arch Arts and Events. About 70 people, including representatives from local businesses, organizations and government, attended the affair.

Outgoing chamber executive committee president Jill Durnen, of Hartman Insurance, passed the torch to Karen Ragland, of DesignHub.

The biggest task facing the chamber in 2012 will be finding a replacement for Executive Director Larry Osterling, who plans to retire May 1 after 12 years at the helm of the organization.

Andrew Lund, Executive Program Manager at Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing and a member of the chamber’s executive committee, announced the chamber would soon begin looking for a new director.

“12 years ago, the chamber looked a lot different than it looks today. That’s because of Larry’s leadership, the staff he has put together, and all of the different boards he works with,” Lund said. “We have enormously big shoes to fill. If you know of anyone half as good as Larry, please contact me or Karen (Ragland) or the chamber.”

Ragland said Osterling was responsible for making the organization an integral part of the community. She said he doubled the organization’s membership and worked to solidify the chamber’s health.

“More importantly, he brought the various elements of the community together—the city, the downtown merchants and organizations. He’s helped make this a very collaborative community,” Ragland said.

Osterling received a standing ovation from the crowd.

“I’ve been fortunate. I just completed my 12th year with the chamber and every board I’ve had has been very supportive. The staff and board work well together and that’s what makes us very effective in the community,” Osterling said.

Earlier in the meeting, Durnen recounted her year as president of executive committee. She recounted the way quick-thinking staff saved the chamber’s golf outing from terrible weather. She recalled the “Lunch and Learn” presentations with a representative from Google, and the successful Holiday Parade.

“It was a good year for the chamber and I had a really good time. I will chalk this up as a life experience I will treasure,” Durnen said.

Durnen thanked Osterling and chamber staff Mary Alice Smith and Sandy Sheets for their day-to-day work in the chamber office.

Here is the 2012 Saline Area Chamber Leadership team:

Executive Committee

• Karen Ragland, President, DesignHub, Inc.
• Jill Durnen, Immediate Past President, Hartman Insurance
• Walt Byers, Vice President, Bank of Ann Arbor
• Kathy Capelli, Vice President, Flatout Bread
• Jeff Dowling, Vice President, LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep
• Andrew Lund, Vice President, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, N.A. Inc.
• Shelley Rankin, Vice President, Fidelity Bank

Directors

• Barb Fielder, St. Joseph Mercy Saline
• Al Hodge, R&B Plastics Machinery
• James Junga, Junga's Ace Hardware
• Tammie King, Bemis Farms Preschool and Childcare
• Chris Michalak, Capstone Tax & Financial
• Sheryl Pomerance, Sheryl Pomerance D.D.S., PLLC
• Denise Rabidoux, Evangelical Homes of Michigan
• Monica Van Overmeer, Jet's Pizza

Ex Officio

• Todd Campbell, Liaison, City of Saline - City Manager
• Scot Graden,  Liaison, Saline Area Schools Superintendent
• Ron Kusz, Treasurer, Rhoades Doehrer & Associates, PLLC
• Larry Osterling, SACC Executive Director
• Sandee Sheats, SACC Administrative Assistant, Recording Secretary
• Mary Alice Smith, SACC Project Coordinator
• Art Trapp, Liaison, City of Saline - Downtown Development Director

Chamber Ambassadors

• Dan Campbell
• Tom Collins
• Ken London