Thanks to Tom Bennett for bringing a representative from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to town this morning and thanks to the Elk’s for a tasty breakfast.
New Members
SOCU celebrates 80 years!
Thanks for having us, it was a blast!
Golf Success!
A big shout out to everyone that helped to make this year a success. From sponsors to volunteers to golfers, thank you so much! See you next year.
Welcome New Member, Livin’ in Color!
Owner, Donna Comens is bringing a splash of color top to our beautiful downtown! Stop in and have a look around. Visit her online at livinincolor.com
Welcome Our New Executive Director!
The Pontiac Area Chamber Board of Directors is pleased to announce Catherine (Cat) Coppinger as our new Executive Director of the Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce. Cat has been involved with the Pontiac Area Chamber and active within the community for many years. Most will know Cat from her work with the Radio Station. Cat states that one of her favorite parts of both her previous job and the Chamber is; “the connection I get to make with the business community from the square to the interstate and corridors beyond”.
Cat’s previous experience as an owner of a small business with her husband, along with Chamber experience, the Radio Station, and already established relationships within the business community, will equip her well to fulfill the role of Executive Director. Cat has the skills and the passion to lead the Chamber in working with our members and other community agencies to demonstrate value for our business membership and benefit to the community as a whole.
Please join us in welcoming Cat to her new role in the community!
Congratulations Joan Bullard, Business Person of the Year!
The Pontiac Area Chamber announced today that Joan Bullard, of Joan Bullard Realty, was chosen as the 2019 Business Person of the Year.
“Joan brings so many years of wonderful business experience to Pontiac and Livingston County. Plus, she is very civic and community driven. She is just an amazing woman,” said Mindi Terrell, Executive Director of the Pontiac Chamber.
Joan and her husband Bob built and operated US Co-Tronics Coil Factory in 1985, and eventually sold the business in 2000. By 2002, Joan started Joan Bullard Realty and these days she is one of the busiest real estate agents in the county.
“Joan truly cares about her employees, especially giving women a helping hand. She had 40 plus female employees at the coil factory and worked with them daily, helping them achieve their goals,” said Terrell. “And now as part of her real estate office, she has six individuals that she coaches on matters of real estate.”
Amy Duffy, who opened Kind Living Therapy, also noted “Joan’s kindness and sense of community. Joan was there when I was starting up my business. She was always willing to lend me a hand in getting my business off the ground.”
In addition, at a time when some folks may be contemplating retirement or slowing down, Joan decided to go back to school to obtain a business degree.
Joan supports many civic and community organizations. She serves on the board of directors for the Pontiac Chamber and is intricately involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County. She has served as Republic Precinct Committee Person and as a member of the Republican Central Committee. She has served on the Livingston County Board. She is also very involved with St. Paul’s Church & School along with St. Jude Appreciation Award.
Those interested in attending the Annual Banquet to support Joan may find out more information and reserve a spot by contacting the Chamber or by clicking here.
Agri-Business Person of the Year Announced
This year, the Pontiac Area Chamber is pleased to announce two winners for the Bill Edwards Agri-Business Person of the Year award. Jesse Faber and Parker Bane, both agriculture teachers at Pontiac Township High School, have been selected as this year’s recipients and we look forward to honoring them at the Annual Banquet, to be held March 7th at the Pontiac Elks Lodge. They are pictured above with their families.
Paul Kelly of KSR nominated the two teachers for the award, based on their exponential impact on the agriculture industry in Pontiac through educating local students interested in pursuing Ag as a career.
Parker Bane has been with the school district for fourteen years, and his energy and determination were the driving forces behind the reintroduction of agriculture curriculum to PTHS. Superintendent Jon Kilgore says of Bane, “Within 5 years of restarting our program, our enrollment has grown so quickly that we had to hire another teacher in the agriculture program. This speaks volumes about the quality and quantity of work that Parker has done for this program and this community.”
Jesse Faber also has made important contributions to the agriculture program at PTHS. “His students consistently perform at a top level when entered into competition,” says Kilgore, who also notes that the excellence and reputation of the agriculture program has allowed it to grow even when the overall school enrollment has dropped.
Both teachers have proven themselves to be a vital part of the local agriculture community. Their commitment to excellence instills their students with a love of agriculture in a way that stimulates the local ag industry and will continue to do so for generations to come.
To attend the Annual Banquet and honor these award recipients, please RSVP to the Pontiac Area Chamber by February 27. The cost is $30 per person to attend. More information can be found here.
The Pontiac Area Chamber is a non-profit organization committed to creating and maintaining a favorable business climate in the Pontiac area; and to stimulating pride and involvement among its constituency. It was created in 1917 and currently has more than 240 member businesses from Pontiac and the surrounding communities.
Calvert & Martin to Host December Mix & Mingle
Calvert & Martin will be hosting the December Mix & Mingle on Thursday, December 13 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Come join us at the Pontiac Elks Lodge as we celebrate city employees and politicians. It will be a free evening of socializing and great food. Everyone is welcome.
Pontiac Elks Lodge
459 Elks Club Road, Pontiac.
RSVP no later than Friday, December 7. Call 815.844.5131 or email admin@pontiacchamber.org.
Chamber Has Welcome Center in Downtown Pontiac
In the crazy holiday season remember to shop at your local retailers. Saturday, November 24 is Small Business Saturday. Come out to downtown Pontiac from 10 am to noon and enjoy free donuts and cinnamon rolls from Pfaff’s Bakery, coffee from The Cup & The Scone, along with some delicious hot chocolate. The welcome center will be stationed outside Charmed Boutique.
Make sure to stop by our new retailers such as Tattered Wings, Aleena’s Bath & Body Boutique, The Little Red Barn, The Modern Smithy and Nola + Kennedy along with our stalwarts such as Home Wishes, Hustedt Jewelers, PK UnKorked, Route 66 Kites, Frugality, Wright’s Furniture, Charmed Boutique, Once ‘N Again, The General Store, and Pontiac Community Art Center.
As you are out and about over the weekend, make sure to stop by our local restaurants for some rest and sustenance. Check out Baby Bull’s, Cafe Fontana, Monical’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Route 66 Nutrition, DeLong’s Casual Dining, Edinger’s Filing Station, Pontiac Family Kitchen, Dairy Queen, and Old Log Cabin!