The West Chamber Serving Jefferson County recognizes Xcel Energy, Community First Foundation and other leaders at Inaugural Celebration

Lakewood, Colo. – January 22, 2013 – The West Chamber Serving Jefferson County kicked off the New Year last Friday January 18, 2013 with the Chairman’s Inaugural Celebration luncheon. Outstanding businesses from the community, individuals and chamber members were recognized at this event.

“All of these companies and individuals are recognized for their community involvement, strong leadership and commitment to business. Jefferson County is such a vibrant community, and each award recipient adds to that,” Brian Willms, President/CEO of the West Chamber said.

Xcel Energy received the Large Business of the Year for 2012 Award for their commitment to expanding use of renewable energy sources in Colorado and providing funding to non-profits. They are a national leader in offering business incentives to promote solar development; during the past six years more than $260 million has been provided to Colorado companies. The Denver Post recognized Xcel as the state’s largest corporate donor to charitable organizations, in Jefferson County alone the company donated almost $63,000 through their foundation to non-profits. These initiatives help retain companies in Colorado and create an array of jobs, to date Xcel employs about 4,000 people in the state and 500 people in Jefferson County.

“Xcel Energy is proud to be the ‘2013 Business of the Year for Large Employers,’ because this award recognizes the positive aspects that come from our continuing, excellent partnership with Jefferson County and The West Chamber business community,” said Jerome Davis, regional vice president. “Xcel Energy is a major part of Jefferson County in so many ways, from our community engagement and volunteer efforts, to our overall business operations and the energy services we provide.”

Honored with the Small Business of the Year Award for 2012 is A Master’s Hands LLC, offering local remodeling and handyman services. Since joining the West Chamber in 2008, the company has grown from one employee to 15 and has received an excellence award from Colorado Governor Bill Ritter in 2010 for workplace development.

"It's a tremendous honor to be recognized with this award.  I want to thank our team members and our entire client base because it's their belief in our company that's helped us achieve the success we've enjoyed," said Jim Bartlett, Co-Founder & CEO of A Master's Hands.  "Joining the West Chamber almost five years ago was the best business decision we've made, by far.  Not only have we gained a valuable network to recommend our services to clients, but all the professional services we use to help us run our business have come via partnerships formed through the chamber."

Equally impressive, however, is A Master’s Hands LLC’s commitment to giving back. They are a partner with the Jeffco Workforce Center and have repeatedly helped struggling individuals by providing training and job security.

Brandy Davis, Child Support Analyst/Lead Worker for Jeffco Human Services said of Bartlett after working with him, “This is the kind of collaboration our agency needs with small businesses – Jim is definitely blazing a trail and showing how our collaboration can be effective in truly serving the underserved.”    

Best known for creating Colorado Gives Day, the 2012 Non-Profit of the Year award went to Community First Foundation. Their mission is to improve the community by funding initiatives such as last year’s Aurora Victim Relief Fund. To date they have awarded almost $75 million dollars in grants across the state. The 2012 Colorado Gives Day raised more than $15 million dollars for about 1,200 non-profits. Some of Community First Foundation’s major recipients include the Jeffco Action Center and Family Tree.

“We are honored to be selected as the Nonprofit of the Year,” said Marla J. Williams, president and CEO of Community First Foundation. “Community First Foundation was founded on the west side—we are proud of our deep roots and long history of serving this community, which makes receiving this award especially meaningful.”

The luncheon also honored Don Rosier as Elected Official of the Year, Guy Ditorrice as West Chamber Ambassador of the Year, and Tory Pearson as Young Professional of the Year.

About The West Chamber

The West Chamber is considered a regional chamber, and serves Jefferson County. The Chamber started in 1947 as the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. In 1990 the group merged with the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce to be The West Chamber – Serving Jefferson County. Comprised of more than 800 local companies, the Chamber offers a vast array of educational and networking programs to help its members, both large and small, gain the skills and resources necessary to thrive and prosper in today's economy. As a founding member of the Jefferson County Business Lobby (JCBL), the Chamber also serves as an advocate for business, working on behalf of entrepreneurs to lead and influence local, state and federal policy on issues affecting the unique interests of business in Jefferson County. For more information on The West Chamber, please call (303) 233-5555 or visit www.westchamber.org.

 

WEST CHAMBER SERVING JEFFERSON COUNTY KICKS OFF 2013 BY WELCOMING TWO NEW STAFF MEMBERS

 

Lakewood, Colo. – The West Chamber Serving Jefferson County (www.WestChamber.org) is pleased to announce the addition of two new staff members for 2013. Tom Livingston joins the chamber as its new Business Development Manager, while Jordan McNamara assumes the role of Communications and Programs Manager.

“I’m thrilled to have Jordan and Tom joining our team. They both bring distinct skill sets to add value for our members and attract new ones. 2013 is going to be a great year,” Brian Willms, CEO/president of the West Chamber said.

Livingston has spent the last four years as the senior reporter for Northern Colorado 5 CBS in Fort Collins. He was responsible for coverage in Greeley, Loveland and Fort Collins in addition to parts of Wyoming. Prior to that, Livingston was also a news anchor and reporter for Newsradio 850 KOA in Denver. Livingston’s ability for putting others at ease and utilizing connections will be vital for engaging members within the chamber.

“One of the chamber’s focuses for 2013 is urging members to get their membership working for them by attending networking events and serving on committees, Livingston said. “I’m looking forward to channeling my enthusiasm for engaging community into the chamber membership to make the value of joining the chamber very apparent.”

His wide range of contacts developed from years of sniffing out a story will be valuable assets for helping members grow their businesses. A longtime resident of Broomfield, Livingston is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and two sons in a position closer to home.

McNamara joins the chamber after working as the project coordinator for the Denver Art Museum’s community-sourced exhibition, Open For Design. As the first exhibition open to local submissions, the opportunity gave McNamara valuable insight into program facilitation and implementation of a comprehensive communication and branding approach.

Born and raised in Arvada, McNamara attended Ralston Valley High School. She is connected to the West Chamber service area and is dedicated to the continuing economic prosperity of Jefferson County. McNamara graduated from University of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in Advertising and Humanities, giving her a unique focus on building brand image through integrated messaging with emerging tools and technologies.

“I’m excited to help strengthen the West Chamber’s role as a community leader and appeal to a wider audience by incorporating innovative forms of communication, such as social media, within current programming,” McNamara said.

The West Chamber kicks off their event calendar later this month with the Chairman’s Inaugural Celebration. This luncheon honors incoming board members, committee members and other distinguished professionals within Jefferson County. The event will take place on January 18, 2013 from 11:30 am to 1:30pm at Terrace Gardens Event Center at Ken Caryl. This is a ticketed event.

About The West Chamber

The West Chamber is considered a regional chamber, and serves Jefferson County. The Chamber started in 1947 as the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce. In 1990 the group merged with the Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce to be The West Chamber – Serving Jefferson County. Comprised of more than 800 local companies, the Chamber offers a vast array of educational and networking programs to help its members, both large and small, gain the skills and resources necessary to thrive and prosper in today's economy. As a founding member of the Jefferson County Business Lobby (JCBL), the Chamber also serves as an advocate for business, working on behalf of entrepreneurs to lead and influence local, state and federal policy on issues affecting the unique interests of business in Jefferson County. For more information on The West Chamber, please call (303) 233-5555 or visit www.westchamber.org.