2019 ANNUAL MEETING: NEW PRESIDENT, PHIL MINDEN

Mrs. Clark also said that 56 members earned their Chamber Professional Development Certificates, 34 members became participants in Leadership Bartow XVIII, and the Chamber added two new events with LeaderCast Women - a simulcast offered to the Central Florida community; and Shop Small Saturday, which brought attention to participating small business with in the community.

Last, but not least, Mrs. Clark talked about the social media following, which had increased by 82 percent.

And speaking about the Chamber's social media presence, within the next few months, the Chamber will be unveiling a new digital package, which will benefit members, boosting their online presence and helping them network and interact with others. The Chamber will become the "go to" platform for digital connections, so businesses will no longer have to try to figure out how to best become a force online.

Mrs. Clark also thanked the retiring board members: Len Jordan, Madrid Engineering Group, Inc.; David Carmichael, Boswell & Dunlap, LLP; Callie Neslund, Mosaic; and Josh Palmer, Palmer Insurance.

New directors for 2019 were announced: MIchell Githens, Michell Githens State Farm Insurance; Sean Parker, Boswell & Dunlap, LLP; Shannon Medley, Florida Polytechnic University; David Little, Crosswired Electrical Services; Jennifer Hall, SEMCO Construction; and Rebecca Duvall, Chinault Family Chiropractic.

The Chamber group tasked to promote the Chamber, welcome new members and make Chamber events successful and enjoyable for all the members are the Ambassadors. New Chamber Ambassadors were honored: Kathy Hall, Central Florida Regional Planning Council; Mary Ann Harrell, Mosaic Retiree; Sherry MacBlane, American Legion Post 3; Len Jordan, Madrid Engineering Group, Inc.; and Sherry McCollough, Polk County Board of County Commissioners.

Following this announcement, Mrs. Clark asked BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center's CEO, Mr. Phil Minden to come to the stage and presented him the ceremonial gavel to him as the Chamber's 78th president.

Minden accepted the gavel and presented Ms. Clark with a past President's plaque for her good service to the Chamber. Minden announced he had been given the honor to direct two hospitals temporarily - St. Joseph's in Riverview and Bartow Regional.

As past award recipient, Bartow's City Mayor, Leo Longworth, was asked to come to the stage and present the George W. Harris Leadership Award. The award is given each year to a class member or steering committee member of Leadership Bartow. Longworth, "let the cat out of the bag," when he began describing the recipient, and before he reached his third line of his description, everyone knew the winner was . . . Trish Pfeiffer!

Born and raised in Bartow, Mrs. Pfeiffer graduated from Bartow High School. She left Bartow in 1979 and worked as a professional dancer in Dallas, Las Vegas and Reno, where she met her husband, Bob. She and Bob moved to Los Angeles and started a family. Moving back to Bartow in 1989, she found her calling in community service including:

• Serving as a volunteer at Bartow Elementary Academy, Union Academy and Bartow High School.
• A Board member for the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity and Main Street Bartow
• And serving on the Polk County Planning Commission for 7 years

For many years, she has organized and implemented Bartow’s Tour De Tow and Bloomin’ Bike Ride cycling events. This past year, she began a new Bartow event, Bartow’s
Chalkwalk Festival. She is the recipient of the Silver Zone to Work Award, and the Volunteer of the Year Award at Bartow Elementary Academy. She has also the only person ever to win 2 Spirit of Bartow Awards, including a special award for leading Bartow’s volunteer
army after Hurricane Irma.

A faithful Chamber supporter, she has served on many committees, and was the Chair of the Leadership Bartow program for Classes 14 and 15. In 2014, she saw an opportunity to run for Bartow City Commissioner. She was elected, and won her second term in 2017.

Serving as Mayor in 2016/2017, she was known as “Mayor on the Move,” as she promoted small businesses, area schools and local landmarks. She received her Certificate of Completion for the Advanced Institute for Elected Municipal Officials, and was recently recognized by the Florida League of Cities for being a champion of the League’s Municipal Home Rule Initiative.

Mrs. Pfeiffer was described in her nomination as a trailblazer. Other words that can describe her are bold, talented, creative, forward-thinking and fearless. "But, perhaps the only way to truly know Trish Pfeiffer is to know her heart," Longworth said. "Trish has a heart that beats for Bartow, and her faithful service and commitment to fostering hope, opportunity and action for the community. It is my honor and pleasure to announce Bartow City Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer as the winner of the George W. Harris Leadership Award," Longworth said.

Mrs. Pfeiffer walked to the stage with her mother, Mayme Burdin Clark. Mrs. Clark was the past director of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce for many years. She thanked everyone and accepted the award from Longworth, Minden and Jeff Clark.

"I think that was the first time I've seen Trish speechless," said a fan. The award was truly a surprise to Trish and greatly deserved!"


2019 ANNUAL MEETING: NEW PRESIDENT, PHIL MINDEN Mrs. Clark also said that 56 members earned their Chamber Professional Development Certificates, 34 members became participants in Leadership Bartow XVIII, and the Chamber added two new events with LeaderCast Women - a simulcast offered to the Central Florida community; and Shop Small Saturday, which brought attention to participating small business with in the community. Last, but not least, Mrs. Clark talked about the social media following, which had increased by 82 percent. And speaking about the Chamber's social media presence, within the next few months, the Chamber will be unveiling a new digital package, which will benefit members, boosting their online presence and helping them network and interact with others. The Chamber will become the "go to" platform for digital connections, so businesses will no longer have to try to figure out how to best become a force online. Mrs. Clark also thanked the retiring board members: Len Jordan, Madrid Engineering Group, Inc.; David Carmichael, Boswell & Dunlap, LLP; Callie Neslund, Mosaic; and Josh Palmer, Palmer Insurance. New directors for 2019 were announced: MIchell Githens, Michell Githens State Farm Insurance; Sean Parker, Boswell & Dunlap, LLP; Shannon Medley, Florida Polytechnic University; David Little, Crosswired Electrical Services; Jennifer Hall, SEMCO Construction; and Rebecca Duvall, Chinault Family Chiropractic. The Chamber group tasked to promote the Chamber, welcome new members and make Chamber events successful and enjoyable for all the members are the Ambassadors. New Chamber Ambassadors were honored: Kathy Hall, Central Florida Regional Planning Council; Mary Ann Harrell, Mosaic Retiree; Sherry MacBlane, American Legion Post 3; Len Jordan, Madrid Engineering Group, Inc.; and Sherry McCollough, Polk County Board of County Commissioners. Following this announcement, Mrs. Clark asked BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center's CEO, Mr. Phil Minden to come to the stage and presented him the ceremonial gavel to him as the Chamber's 78th president. Minden accepted the gavel and presented Ms. Clark with a past President's plaque for her good service to the Chamber. Minden announced he had been given the honor to direct two hospitals temporarily - St. Joseph's in Riverview and Bartow Regional. As past award recipient, Bartow's City Mayor, Leo Longworth, was asked to come to the stage and present the George W. Harris Leadership Award. The award is given each year to a class member or steering committee member of Leadership Bartow. Longworth, "let the cat out of the bag," when he began describing the recipient, and before he reached his third line of his description, everyone knew the winner was . . . Trish Pfeiffer! Born and raised in Bartow, Mrs. Pfeiffer graduated from Bartow High School. She left Bartow in 1979 and worked as a professional dancer in Dallas, Las Vegas and Reno, where she met her husband, Bob. She and Bob moved to Los Angeles and started a family. Moving back to Bartow in 1989, she found her calling in community service including: • Serving as a volunteer at Bartow Elementary Academy, Union Academy and Bartow High School. • A Board member for the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity and Main Street Bartow • And serving on the Polk County Planning Commission for 7 years For many years, she has organized and implemented Bartow’s Tour De Tow and Bloomin’ Bike Ride cycling events. This past year, she began a new Bartow event, Bartow’s Chalkwalk Festival. She is the recipient of the Silver Zone to Work Award, and the Volunteer of the Year Award at Bartow Elementary Academy. She has also the only person ever to win 2 Spirit of Bartow Awards, including a special award for leading Bartow’s volunteer army after Hurricane Irma. A faithful Chamber supporter, she has served on many committees, and was the Chair of the Leadership Bartow program for Classes 14 and 15. In 2014, she saw an opportunity to run for Bartow City Commissioner. She was elected, and won her second term in 2017. Serving as Mayor in 2016/2017, she was known as “Mayor on the Move,” as she promoted small businesses, area schools and local landmarks. She received her Certificate of Completion for the Advanced Institute for Elected Municipal Officials, and was recently recognized by the Florida League of Cities for being a champion of the League’s Municipal Home Rule Initiative. Mrs. Pfeiffer was described in her nomination as a trailblazer. Other words that can describe her are bold, talented, creative, forward-thinking and fearless. "But, perhaps the only way to truly know Trish Pfeiffer is to know her heart," Longworth said. "Trish has a heart that beats for Bartow, and her faithful service and commitment to fostering hope, opportunity and action for the community. It is my honor and pleasure to announce Bartow City Commissioner Trish Pfeiffer as the winner of the George W. Harris Leadership Award," Longworth said. Mrs. Pfeiffer walked to the stage with her mother, Mayme Burdin Clark. Mrs. Clark was the past director of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce for many years. She thanked everyone and accepted the award from Longworth, Minden and Jeff Clark. "I think that was the first time I've seen Trish speechless," said a fan. The award was truly a surprise to Trish and greatly deserved!"
LBbrowntemplate - January 29, 2019