All of us at the Chamber hope that you are enjoying a most safe and joyous holiday season! Thanks to you and our Western Maryland Delegation for our well attended Pre-Legislative Breakfast (December 11 at the Holiday Inn Downtown). We also thank you and DJ Brian Mo and M&T Bank for making a fun-tastic Holiday Reception (December 13 at M&T Bank).

By the way, if you missed the above, or if you are less-than-active in our Chamber, why not adopt the New Year's Resolution (see below): I can and I should. I promise that your business, your organization, and you (personally) will benefit.

We all need to thank the following for their service to our Chamber through the years: Rick Collins now joins the Chamber sages as past past President and re-engages as CEO of Mel's Business Systems; Jon Loff will be joining the ranks of almost full-time golfer after he wraps up a successful Allegany College of Maryland career; John Kirby will be devoting his time and energy to the City of Frostburg and his role as city administrator; and Jeff Walsh is relegated to a lot of international travel for his employer, AES. Leopards don't change their spots. So I dare say these names will remain familiar through community service. They have changed hats, not committment.

At our Chamber's Dec. 6 Annual Meeting and Election we elected three brand new directors and reelected three for a second three-year term. Then, the new board of directors quickly met and elected executive officers. Please welcome the following new directors to their first three-year term: Tim Grambley, General Manager of Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort, Karen Johnson, Executive Director of the WMHS Foundation, and Joe Gordon, CEO of Leading Edge Design and Systems. We re-welcome Tim Grambley back to Allegany County and back to our Board. We also re-elected the following directors to another three-year term: myself, Steve Nelson, Publisher of the Town Planner calendar, and George (Mac) Mckinley, Attorney at Law. The new board then met and elected your new officers: myself as chairman, Steve Nelson as 1st Chair, and Stu Czapski, Assistant Vice President Business Banking, M&T Bank as 2nd Vice Chair.

Please note that the members present also approved some by-laws revisions which changed some "job titles," in order to be more aligned with other Chambers, Barb Buehl's new title is President of the Chamber. The Board officers are now considered chair, 1st & 2nd vice chairs, etc.

As we speak, our very active board and committee chairs will be going through a fun-yet rigorous planning retreat at Nemacolin Woodlands. Some products of last year's board retreat were the successful Spring Fling, Sojourners' Welcome, and a much higher-level of director-to-committee involvement in the 2007 activities. Because of the vitality and commitment of the individual members involved, these retreats are a far cry from some organizations' "chalk & talk" retreats.

Let's have a round of applause for the stewardship that now-Past President Liz Skidmore brought to our organization this past year. It was my pleasure to spend a great part of 2003 and 2004 with Liz, in our Leadership Allegany! class. We became friends. Then I had the pleasure of following Liz through "the executive chairs." Liz is a class act and the queen of organization, who, I am glad to say, will remain actively engaged in her new role as Past President. Thank you, Liz, for guiding us and goading us last year, even while expanding Coldwell Banker Professional Real Estate Services, and buying and improving a place on the river.

New Year's Resolution: When Janey & I first returned to Allegany County in 2000, I reacquainted myself with some former Jaycees, met many business leaders through Rotary, and made several new friends. Every time I sought counsel from thse folks as to whether I should get involved in the Business Expo, help develop Chamber membership, be vocal and active on the board, etc., I was told, "You can and you should."

My promise above: If you go to www.alleganycountychamber.com on a regular basis, read your monthly newsletter and pass it along to coworkers/employees, participate in every free Chamber activity, and attend a committee meeting or two (just pick one that fits your schedule) you will benefit immensely. I promise you. You will grow personally and professionally. And in the meantime, Allegany County will be strengthened by your interest and efforts. Ever wonder why some people are so totally involved in Chamber activities? Because they are having fun!

                                                     Daryl