2008 Advocacy Council

The mission of this council is to represent the business community at it relates to public policy to insure we maintain a thriving economic community that supports a hight quality of life.

The 2008 Plan of Action:

Develop and maintain passage of the 2008 Amherst Chamber of Commerce Legislative Agenda
Host Legislative Reception
Host Quarterly Meetings with Public Officials representing our community
Host Annual Meeting with the Amherst Town Board and Chamber leadership
Improve communication with the membership on key community issues and launch an interactive electronic communication system.
Develop and monitor council "Buddy System" with Public Officials
Develop monthly Advocacy Electronic Newsletter

Advocacy Council

Chair: Stewart Haney, Wendel Duchscherer Architects & Engineers

Akash Desai, Lance Technologies

Jennifer Foley, Geico

Richard Ford, Finger Lakes Technologies Group

Kenneth Jagodzinski, Verizon

Steve Lelinski, Key Bank

Suzanne Lemke, Technology Solutions

Mark Meyerhofer, National Grid

Suzie Rivo Solender, Solender Services

Richard Romer, Lumsden & McCormick

Christie Rothschild, M.J. Peterson Relocation

Richard Wojtowicz, Mainstream Funding Network, Inc.

Laura Zaepfel, Uniland Development Company

Sub-Committees

The Advocacy Council has three active Sub-Committees this year:

Issues Committee - All issues are forwarded to this committee for vetting. Vetting will include looking at the impact of issues on the organization, the impact on our community and the value of our taking a position. All positions on issues will be sent back to the Chamber's Executive Committee and/or the Board of Directors for final approval.

Legislative Reception & Agenda Committee - Each year the Chamber hosts a Legislative Reception and unveils its Legislative Agenda. This committee will serve as hosts of the reception and asist staff in presenting the event. Further, they will work with the President in identifying the annual agenda.

Town Board Liaion Committee - The committee members will be assigned to keep in contact with one Town Board Member and act as a liaison between the Amherst Chamber Advocacy Council and the Town Board.

To learn how you can volunteer for any of these subcommittees, please call the Amherst Chamber at (716) 632-6905.