FROM THE CHAIR & PRESIDENT
I
t ’ s no secret that the demographics of our Nation are changing . In a report by Fortune , it was noted that two-thirds of the population is made up of minorities and women , and that those two demographics alone , make up 57 % of the workforce . In addition , we have all heard that by the year 2025 , the millennials will pass the boomers in making up the majority of our workforce . Why is this important ? It ’ s important because we have to embrace and look at implementing changes in our businesses to prepare for our future . In this issue of EVOLVE , you will see several examples of businesses that have realized the importance of diversity and inclusion . We applaud them for their efforts and know there is much work to do .
Most often we think of diversity as gender and ethnicity . We also need to think about this in terms of generations and those who are not part of the traditional workforce . As we plan our programs every year , we are forced to think about multiple value statements for our very diverse membership . We have typically used the word diversity as it relates to business size , product and service , and geographic location . Now we need to expand upon the word diversity and ask ourselves very important questions such as how do we look as an organization to varying groups based on age , gender and ethnicity . Are we taking into account the diversity of our members workforces ? Are we understanding the demographics of our voting population ? All of this plays into a well-rounded chamber of commerce .
From the standpoint of the millennial generation , we are very proud of the Volusia Young Professionals Group , an affiliate of the Chamber . Often branded with a strong stereotype of being too social , our VYPG has done incredible things for our community from hosting clothing drives and food drives to cleaning our beaches and providing a platform for lifelong learning . Their commitment to developing emerging leaders is helping to groom our young professionals as our future community leaders . They are truly setting a great example of blending social needs with community involvement .
When it comes down to it , an important job of the Chamber is to continue to collaborate and lead the conversation of diversity and inclusion with the end result being shared prosperity for all . We are open to your ideas to make sure we are prepared to meet the needs of our changing demographics .
SKIP LILLY Chairman Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce Vision H . R ., Inc .
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NANCY P . KEEFER CCE President & CEO Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
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CHAMBER STAFF Nancy Keefer , CCE • President / CEO Janet Kersey , CDME , CFEE • Executive Vice President / COO Jim Cameron • Senior Vice President , Government Relations Bob Elkin • CFO Consultant Jami Gallegos • Membership Director Kim Hover • Communications & Marketing Director Kerry Karl • Executive Director of VCARD Linda Nash • Membership Relations Specialist Ken Phelps • Events Director Jennifer Pipes • Administrative Assistant Nichole Sprague • Business Manager
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Skip Lilly • Chairman / Vision H . R ., Inc . Randy Dye • Chair-Elect / Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM Fiat Eric Peburn • Immediate Past Chair / Halifax Health Rodney Cruise • Special Events Chair / Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Bart Leek • Government Relations Chair / DBL Surety , LLC Bob Lloyd • Legal Counsel / Brown & Brown , Inc . Leonard Marinaccio , III • Treasurer / Bomar Construction Mike Mitchener • Small Business Development Chair / Sam ’ s Club Frank Molnar • Economic Development Chair / The M Group Ed Noseworthy • Membership Development Chair / Florida Hospital Kelly Parsons Kwiatek • Community Development Chair / Cobb Cole Charlie Van Derven • Marketing and Communications Chair / Social Advisors
2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Shawn Abbatessa • The Arc of Volusia Maia Albrecht • Shuffield Lowman John Anthony • JTA Financial Services , Inc . Tina Barnes-Budd • Ladies Professional Golf Association Sead Besic • Wells Fargo Bank , NA Owen Chittenden • VYPG Chair / The Shores Resort & Spa Cheryl Coxwell • International Speedway Corp . Bob Davis • Lodging & Hospitality Association of Volusia County Tad Durrance • Halifax Paving , Inc . Steve Farmer • Brown & Brown , Inc . Alan Florez • Halifax Insurance Partners Hubert Grimes • Bethune-Cookman University John Guthrie • Halifax Health Todd Huffstickler • Vann Data Services , Inc . Nellie Kargar • ICI Homes William Landreth • BB & T Dr . Tom LoBasso • Daytona State College Kim Lundstrom • SunTrust Bank , East Central Florida Bill Offill • Daytona Beach News-Journal Patrick Opalewski • Root Company Cynthia W . Politis • Bank of America Julie Rand • Florida Hospital Teresa Rand • Volusia Flagler Family YMCA Bud Ritchey • Jon Hall Chevrolet Dave Schandel • Florida Health Care Plans Ray Schumann • Rice Law Firm Mike Sibley • James Moore & Co . Dr . Stephen Sevigny • Radiology Associates Imaging Jim Tobin • Realty Pros John Ufheil • Daytona Beverages Larry Volenec • Florida Power & Light Jim Weite • TD Bank Chip Wile • Daytona International Speedway
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