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a message from the chairman Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce 2013 Board of Directors Chairman, Jim Hammond Comfort Keepers Immediate Past Chair, Michelle Lopez AVON Finance Vice-Chair, Jason Ross Law Office of Linda Roberts-Ross Board Members Cheryl Benton, NuSkin Enterprises Capt. Lee Hamblin, Yucaipa Police Department Cheryl Marshall, Crafton Hills College Bob Miller, Retired Law Enforcement Paul Norwood, Safe Harbor Design Dora Ordonez, Asaderos Supermarket CHAMBER STAFF Pamela Emenger, President/CEO Ellen Benefiel, Membership Development Coordinator AMBASSADOR TEAM Cheryl Benton, NuSkin Pamela Brierley-Vengarick, Good Nite Inn Marlyn Crampton, Yucaipa Rotary Club Nancy Kenny, Prime Lending Michelle Lopez, Avon Dora Ordonez, Asaderos Supermarket Mission Statement The Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting a vibrant business environment by cooperative interaction among business, government and community For more information, call (909) 790-1841 • Fax (909) 363-7373 35139 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa, CA 92399 info@yucaipachamber.org 4 "Every associate is a self-portrait of the person who taught them. Autograph your work with excellence." This quote is on a piece of marble in my office that was given to me years ago that I still cherish and try to live by. I've had the opportunity to have many great employees, or associates as we called them in my previous career, work with me over the years; many have surpassed me in their careers. It is our responsibility to relieve ourselves from those who are not meeting our expectations, and then we can nurture the great ones. Our success depends on those who we guide to become our future leaders. I think you'll remember the movie Karate Kid, where a handyman mentored a young man who then became very capable without even realizing the life lessons he learned along the way. If we show patience and commitment to our young people, we will not only have a great work force but a greater community. If you are a new business in town, or an established one, please come by the chamber and take advantage of all that we have to offer. We have so many successful business leaders here in town; I am sure that they would be happy to share some of their knowledge and experiences. You may have insights you can share as well. So many of our leaders of today started with a paper route on a bike, or selling lemonade at a stand, or perhaps selling cookies door to door. I started at a young age picking up trash around my uncle's restaurant, then delivering papers, working on neighboring farms, and now running my own business. I've had many mentors, including Sam Walton, who has had so much influence on the way I manage my business today. If you are a mentor or would like to assist others, check out our web site and join us for breakfast or a walk around the Farmers Market. The essence of your Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce is volunteers who work to ensure we represent the local businesses with excellence. Since the chamber is a non-profit service organization, our assets are our members and volunteers. The chamber has two, yes only two, paid positions that do so much for our town from attending meetings with city staff and other leading organizations, to visiting businesses, to organizing and running many events including the Farmers Market. And, speaking of the Farmers Market, what a beautiful sunset we had on Friday night, Aug. 2. I witnessed individuals using their phones to capture that beautiful sight. If you have not had an opportunity to stop by, I highly recommend it. Last Friday, my wife and I had a great meal, purchased some wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables, and she found a great gift for an upcoming birthday. Join us at the annual golf tournament on Sept. 20, benefiting our scholarship foundation. I hope you have a successful month and I hope to see you around our Yucaipa. ~ Jim Hammond, Chamber of Commerce Chairman OUR YUCAIPA | SEPTEMBER 2013 | CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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