email : Webview : CCC Chamber@Work Newsletter (6-26-2014)

Join Us in Welcoming Paul La Schiazza, President of AT&T Illinois, as the New Chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber

Paul La Schiazza (photo courtesy of the Chicago Tribune)

Yesterday we celebrated the 110th Annual Meeting of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce at Chicago’s historic Navy Pier. As many of you know, outgoing Chamber Chairman Scott Swanson passed the gavel to incoming Chairman Paul La Schiazza. Paul, who is President of AT&T Illinois, will serve a two-year term as Chairman of our Board of Directors.

As one of our founding members in 1904 when it was known as Illinois Bell, AT&T has been one of the strongest supporters of the Chamber throughout our 110 year history. Paul is a long-time member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, where he provided quality guidance for years before serving as Vice Chair from 2012 to 2014.

We couldn't be more excited about the leadership Paul is bringing to the table. A 35-year veteran of AT&T Corporation, he began his telecommunications career in 1979 with Indiana Bell. He has held several positions in AT&T companies in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Texas and Wisconsin and was named President of AT&T Illinois in October 2006.

Throughout his tenure, Scott Swanson was instrumental in driving our mission to promote business growth, encourage collaboration and foster competitiveness in the region. We expect Paul to carry on this Chamber tradition as a passionate leader, advocating on behalf of the Chamber’s efforts to strengthen our economy and drive growth.

Sincerely,

Theresa E. Mintle
President & CEO
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

John Roa, Founder and CEO of ÄKTA, Wins James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award

We announced at our 110th Annual Meeting of Membership Tuesday that John Roa, Founder and CEO of ÄKTA, is the winner of the 2014 James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award. The award includes a $25,000 cash prize in addition to valuable business training and consulting services donated by Chamber sponsors.

"Through his success at ÄKTA and his philanthropic efforts with Digital Hope, we believe John Roa best represents the spirit and values of late Chicagoland Chamber Chairman and business leader James Tyree," said Theresa E. Mintle, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber. “Small businesses drive our regional economy, and we are excited to provide growth opportunities and mentorship through initiatives like the Jim Tyree Award to small businesses in the Chicago area.” Read More

Click here to read a Blue Sky Innovation story on Roa winning the Jim Tyree Award.

Click here to listen to the WGN Steve Cochran Show interview with Roa.

Annual Meeting 2014: A Celebration 110 Years in the Making

On October 9, 1904, 93 local merchant and manufacturing leaders united to form the Chicago Commercial Association. On Tuesday, over 800 business and civic leaders came together at Navy Pier to celebrate the 110th anniversary of that organization, now called the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

WGN Radio’s Steve Cochran Show did a live broadcast from Navy Pier for the duration of the event, which featured interviews with Jim Tyree Award winner John Roa, Founder and CEO of AKTA; Chamber member Letty Velez, CEO of Chicago Mini Bus Travel; and a combined interview with Chamber President & CEO Theresa E. Mintle and new Chamber Chairman Paul La Schiazza, President of AT&T Illinois.

During the event, Mayor Emanuel called on the business community in attendance to give our children and our future workforce the best chance for success by increasing investment in education, job training and programs like City Colleges of Chicago’s College to Careers initiative.

John Stankey, Group President and Chief Strategy Officer of AT&T, delivered the keynote address with a focus on the radical transformation currently underway in the mobile and digital landscape.

“The last six years have been about mobilizing the Internet. The next six years will be about interconnecting everything with the Internet, which will transform every industry,” Stankey said. “The Chamber, the Mayor, everyone here today recognizes this. You expect this from a city that’s always been an innovation leader.”

Click here to view a photo gallery from the event.

CPAC (Chamber Political Action Committee): Help Us Fight on Your Behalf

Your support of the Chicagoland Chamber’s public policy advocacy is key to building a pro-business climate in the Chicagoland region.

The Chamber PAC provides individual members with a way to participate in our political system. CPAC supports political campaigns of business-friendly candidates, focuses on raising awareness of public policy issues important to the business community, and opens doors to engage with policy leaders. CPAC is the Voice of Business for our community. We are currently in the middle of a fundraising campaign to support the November 2014 General Elections and February 2015 Municipal Elections.

Please click here for more information on the CPAC or to donate. We hope you will get involved with our campaign, as the success of your business is critical to the future of our economy. Invest with us in this very important endeavor to protect current and future business opportunities here in Chicagoland.