I can’t believe that 2023 is almost over!  As I look back on this last year, I am blown away by the talents and investments that community members will make into our organization. I have been humbled and honored to serve in this role the last three years – mostly because of the people that I get to work with on a daily basis. Today’s blog is a bit of a thank you letter to the many people who make our community what it is.

Hats off to our Chamber Staff.  You know them well and know that they are fully dedicated to the economic success of our community and your businesses.  If you have a chance, please let Yvonne Myers, Kim Medina, Kevin Jones, Ryan Loberger, Carol Zick, Suzanne Miller, Taylor Hayden, Mary Shore and Danielle Mason know that they are important leaders in our community.  As well, the Chamber had several strategic partnerships with key consultants in our community this last year.  Amanda Miller and team at the Place Setting Company, Stefanie Merrell, Joe Rowan, Heather Everett and Wade Troxell have helped us move the dial on our leadership programs, events, Work-Based Learning, housing and making connections to CSU that we couldn’t have done without their strength and talent.

A special thank you to our entire Chamber Board – but especially to our executive leadership.  2023 Chair Ryan Schaefer, Immediate Past Chair Brett Kemp, Chair Elect Miles Kailburn, Treasurer Carrie Baumgart and Executive Committee Members Kate Baker and Nicole Staudinger have been keen business advocates providing outstanding leadership and direction for your organization.  They ask really challenging questions and help to drive important policy and action that supports business success.

Chamber volunteers come in all shapes and sizes – and we are incredibly fortunate to have outstanding talent across all the work we do.  Thank you to our Local Legislative Affairs Committee Members, our Red Carpet Committee members, our Moving Fort Collins Forward! Volunteers, our Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance Representatives, our Election Committee members, our Leadership Fort Collins and Leadership Northern Colorado Steering Committee members and our Northern Colorado Prospers leaders.  Your investments of time, talent and treasure allow us to be impactful across the region.

And then there are the numerous partners that drive the work we do as a region.  I have the tremendous pleasure of working with community, business and government leaders across the two-county area.  To all of these incredible partners, thank you for opening the door and allowing business to be at the table to help create this amazing community that we all love.

To the many public servants that make Northern Colorado great – thank you.  My 2023 calendar was filled with conversations with appointed and elected officials and not for profit organizational leaders across the region and I so appreciate the sharing of your time, energy and insight as we work together to support business and the community.

A shout out to the 1,170 business owners that have made an investment into the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce and are proud members of our organization.  It has been an honor to serve you and we are excited to look to 2024 and continued community and economic success.

In a closing note, I will be out of the office the rest of the month of December to recover from a much-needed surgery.  The team at the Chamber is ready and able to support you in any needs you have and we will fill in my weekly space with observations from other community leaders through the end of the month.

Best wishes to you all and Happy New Year!