BACC

essemerrea

ofhamberommerce December 2006

Communication: The Key To Successful Business

Dixie Nissan Grand OpeningDixie Nissan Grand Opening

Many of the Chamber's board of directors and Ambassadors gath-ered at Heritage Trail Conference Center on October 26-27 to review financial information, strategically plan where the Chamber should be headed, and what the 2007 calendar will look like. Reports, statistics, and information were aplenty. It was a busy time for all.

Ralph Stacy, Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama CEO/President, visited with the board and Ambassadors to discuss the role of board members in making decisions for the Chamber. Ralph emphasized the purpose of the Chamber, which was to in-crease the net worth of members. And that is it in a nutshell: The Chamber is here to grow businesses and to promote business in our area. Without a strong Chamber, local businesses cannot become the most profitable that they are capable of becoming in today's com-petitive business environment.

The Ambassadors and Chamber staff cooked for the group and the food was outstanding. Thursday evening was the usual laugh till you cry and then laugh some more time for all. Friendships and working relationships were forged as the group hammered out the agenda for next year. Mostly the group worked when they needed to and played just as hard. This is always an enjoyable event for those who attend and the memories will last.

Ken Gallo was all smiles as he and partners Alan Pizzitola and Randy Averett gathered on the site of the new Premiere Chevrolet location at exit 108 to break ground and celebrate the long awaited move. Chevrolet representative Mike Moore was also on hand to recognize the accomplishment. Mayor Ed May was there to help them break ground with a gold shovel and there were com-ments from Ken, the Mayor and Ronnie Acker, President of the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce. Located atop the rise across the interstate from another of our dealerships and adjacent to the property USX plans to develop, Premiere will have an ideal location to command attention and promote Chevrolet vehicles to the customers who come to Bessemer's new Car Mall to buy. Ken and his staff have been looking forward to this move and thanks to as-sistance from the City with infrastructure the move is being made. It will be prof -itable not only for Premiere Chevrolet but also for the revenues of the City. We are proud to be a part of a business community that includes great folks like Ken Gallo, his partners and his staff.

InsideInsideIt's Your Business: Attributes of Great Leaders

Community News: Veteran's Day Observences

Chamber News: Jon Staggs Elected Chairman

Chamber News: Board/Amb. Retreat Pictures

Business News: No Raise in Lodgings Tax

Business News: Spotlight on Business

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The Campbell family hit a homerun on November 16th with the grand open-ing of the new Dixie Nissan just off I/20/59 at exit 108. There was outstanding food and drink, great socializing and the attendees loved the hospitality of Tony Campbell, his mother, and sisters. A portrait of long time Bessemer busi-nessman and civic leader Charlie Campbell was on display and the feeling by all that were there was that he would be smiling down on what his son has ac-complished. This is a bold move for the long time Bessemer Super Highway business and it will pay off because the location is outstanding and the vehi-cles that Nissan produces are in demand. The other dealerships in the area were in attendance welcoming Tony and their anticipation is that the more dealerships in the area the bigger the draw for all as far as prospective cus-tomers. The ultra-modern facility that Dixie has will be a drawing asset as well as the location and the display of cars and trucks adds to the great envi-ronment to shop for a vehicle. Mayor Ed May assisted Tony in cutting the rib-bon to make the opening official. City Council members attending were: Sarah Belcher, Jesse Matthews, Jimmie Stephens, and Louise Alexander. Representatives from all those who contributed to the building were there and they were proud of all that they saw. The City of Bessemer can be proud of all our dealerships but at this time we are especially proud of Dixie Nissan and the Campbell family. It was a job well done!

Retreat: Strategic Planning andLearning About the ChamberRetreat: Strategic Planning andLearning About the Chamber

Premiere Chevrolet Breaks GroundPremiere Chevrolet Breaks Ground

Callie Pate,Tony Campbell,

Charlene McMurryand Betty Campbell

with picture ofCharlie Campbelltheir husband and

father

District AttorneyArthur Greenworking hard

at planning session

"No community will ever be very much better than its Chamberof Commerce causes it to be." President Ronald W. Reagan

Tony Campbelland

Mayor Mayofficially open

the newDixie Nissan

Mike Moore,Ken Gallo,Mayor May,

Alan Pizzitola,and Randy Averetuse gold shovelsto break ground

Board membersand

Ambassadorspose for picture

duringStrategic Planningsession

www.bessemerchamber.com

22 It's Your BusinessIt's Your BusinessFrom the PresidentFrom the PresidentAt this Christmas season taking time to reflect on the reason for the season is helpful and is good business. Good businesses need good leaders. And by Christians Jesus Christ is considered the greatest of all leaders, the perfect example and pondering the attrib-utes of any great leader is time well spent. As businessmen and women being a leader is important but to become a great leader we must first learn how to follow. Good examples are the best way to set our pattern to eventually become the leader we all wish to be.

It doesn't matter whether you are a Caucasian, African, Hispanic, Asian, Christian, Jew, Moslem, Buddhist, agnostic, or atheist, Using great examples is a good way to begin your path to becoming a great leader. Following a good example crosses all lines of race, reli-gion or nationality. So we all must look at great leadership examples in our own realm of reality. Below my own examples of great leaders help me answer the following question.

What are the attributes of a great leader?

There is a thin line between being confident and being arro-gant and President Abraham Lincoln set a great example for us to follow. He never was arrogant or never came across as arrogant but he was definitely confident. Coming from a meager background but achieving great-ness he was always humble. Most of us see leaders in three ways; A) as confident (competent) and we follow, B) as arrogant (competent or not) so we challenge and dis-rupt, or C) incompetent so we do our own thing. Which are you?

Example is a great way to lead and General Omar Bradley set that for his troops. He did everything he asked his sol-diers to do. They could not say he was telling them what to do, he showed them what to do. He was a soldier 's General. As leaders we must be willing to show our em-ployees how to work hard, how to treat a customer, or how to find compromise when working with others.

A great leader communicates with his followers and lis-tens to them. Take for example President Ronald Reagan, the Great Communicator. We as businesspeople need to learn to be better listeners and to communicate more effectively. A great leader is not a dic-tator where all you need is a title, position, force or coer-cion to be the leader. The great leader considers the views of those that disagree with him and considers their alternatives. A true leader knows that others have good ideas also. Yogi Berra said, "You can observe a lot by watching."

Ethical behavior and moral principles set the great leader apart from all other leaders. The great leader shuns even the appearance of unethical behavior and has unim-peachable moral principles. George Patton stated, "Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men." As businesspeople this is extremely important so we must not compromise.

Finally, a great leader makes all those around him better. He raises others up and does not press them down. His is a hand up not a slap across the face. He is a people per-son and people matter to him. Knute Rockne put it this way, "The secret of winning football games is working more as a team, less as individuals. I play not my 11 best, but my best 11."

The great leader is humble in that he or she recognizes that their success is dependent on the actions and results of others not just on themselves. No one person can lead when there is no one to follow him or her. "Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the suc-cess of the organization. When that happens people feel cen-tered and that gives their work meaning." So says Warren G. Bennis.

Next a great leader must be a great follower. Take for example General George Patton, before he was a great General he was a great lieutenant, captain, major, colonel, etc. He said, "Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way." A potential great leader recognizes that as a follower he or she must make their leaders look good and all those around them.

Great leaders are aware that to be great they must develop great followers. Personnel development begins by choosing good people. Vince Lombardi chose good but not necessarily great players and molded them into one of football's greatest dynasties. He said, "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies ex-hausted on the field of attle-victorious." The Packers became great because he taught, motivated and demanded their best. Jerry Kramer put it this way about Coach Lombardi, "He made us all better than we thought we could be."

You can become a great leader and we have many in our area. Look how they lead, get involved with them and when the time for you to lead comes you can use the U.S. Army Infantry's theme, "Follow Me!" Most great leaders came from humble beginnings, and live by the adage of Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, "A man who makes trouble for others is also making trouble for him-self." You have been given so much in your life and so you must learn to lead your employees to be their best. You have to be a great leader because it's your business.

President

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1907 - 2006

City of BessemerVeteran's Day CommemorationCity of BessemerVeteran's Day Commemoration

Canaan BaptistHonors VeteransCanaan BaptistHonors Veterans

Bessemer City CouncilProviding Food For NeedyBessemer City CouncilProviding Food For Needy

Buy a Bessemer Firefightera Throw For ChristmasBuy a Bessemer Firefightera Throw For Christmas

Jefferson County District Judge Pete Johnson, featured speaker, provided some personal insights on his obser-vance of Veterans Day as he addressed those attending the City of Bessemer Veteran's Day Celebration in Debardeleben Park. Judge Johnson related his service in Vietnam as an Armored Calvary platoon leader. His re-marks were inspiring and insightful.

The choir from West Hills Elementary School provided a great tribute to our country and its veterans while the American Legion provided support throughout the event. The 313th U.S. Army Band played for the crowd and did an outstanding job. Dr. Leonard Woods gave the invocation and benediction.

Speaking and bringing greetings to the crowd were: Bessemer Mayor Ed May, Council President Dorothy Davidson, State Representative Priscilla Dunn, and Amer ican Leg ion Commander Gordon Sea le . Representative Dunn made a special recognition of Gordon Seale's service to the area, veterans and to the Veteran's Day ceremony. She went over all of the many accomplish-ments of Mr. Seale including his love of American Legion baseball in the state.

City Council Pro Tem Sarah Belcher was Chairperson of the Veteran's Day Committee serving along with Mr. Seale from the American Legion and Ronnie Acker from the Chamber. Ms. Belcher closed the meeting by thanking all those who participated and supported the event including the Chamber's Ambassadors and staff. District 21 of the American Legion then retired an unusable American flag in a touching ceremony and the event ended as it began with pa-triotic music from the Army Band. It was a great event and a beautiful day.

In a tribute to veterans the kindergarten at Canaan Baptist Church on the corner of 9th Avenue and 15th Street sang as only small children can sing. They were inspiring and en-thusiastic. Representatives from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force were there in their uniforms. Police Chief Nathaniel Rutledge and four of our fire fighters repre-sented our local first responders. ROTC units from Jess Lanier and Union Town attended in uniform as well. Flags, songs and veterans speaking made this tribute one to en-joy. Pastor Doug Caddell and the staff at Canaan did a great job and provided a positive event for the City.

As is usual for the City of Bessemer, Council President Dorothy Davidson headed up the annual Thanksgiving food distribution to needy persons in the City. Dorothy has taken this on for several years and does an outstanding job. Sarah Belcher will have hot meals for her district for those who need a great Thanksgiving and delivery is avail-able. The Council set aside money in the General budget to support this effort and it is a compliment to the City at the big hearts their City Council has in regards to those less for-tunate than most. For more information contact Dorothy Davidson at (205) 424-4060.

There are specially designed throws made just for the Bessemer Fire Department and the department is wanting to provide one for each firefighter which numbers about 100. If you or your business would like to give a firefighter a gift for Christmas please contact 428-5151 by December 8th, the cost is $25 each.

33Community NewsCommunity News

City Council members

Jesse Matthews, Sarah Belcher,

Dorothy Davidsonand Earl Cochran

enjoyVeteran's Day

ceremony

West Hills Elementary School participated in Veteran's Day event

AMERSON ENGRAVINGParnell Amerson3100 Warrior RoadHueytown, AL 35023(205) 491-4901 fax (205) 491-7766email parnella@bellsouth.net*Manufacturing:Signs and Banners

OWENS CARPET & UPHOLSTERYEric Owens329 Sylvan AvenueBessemer, AL 35020(205) 215-6412fax (205) 428-9326*Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

ANYTIME FITNESS &BRONZED TANNING STUDIOBreland Booth4955 McAdory School Road #101McCalla, AL 35111(205) 428-9115 fax (205) 428-9123email mccallaal@anytimefitness.comweb www.anytimefitness.com*Health Club

REGENCY RETIREMENT VILLAGEDavid Cruce285 W. Oxmoor RoadBirmingham, AL 35209(205) 942-3355fax (205) 942-3366email dcruce@yahoo.comweb www.regencyretirementvillage.com*Assisted Living

Welcome New Members for NovemberWelcome New Members for November

Jon Staggs ElectedChairman-electby Board of Directors

Jon Staggs ElectedChairman-electby Board of Directors

Tourism Meeting Heldat Chamber BuildingTourism Meeting Heldat Chamber Building

Alabama Power's Jon Staggs was elected unani-mously by the board at the November 21, 2006 meet-ing to be the Chairman-elect in 2007. He is the Business Office Manager for the Power Company in the Hueytown office just off Allison-Bonnett Parkway. Jon will serve on the Executive Committee and as-sume leadership of the Chamber in 2008. Kenneth Gulley will be the Chairman in 2007 with Pam Nichols moving to Past Chairman. Leadership in the Chamber is a challenge and is very rewarding be-cause of all the positive contacts you make. Please join us in congratulating Jon in this important office.

Prior to the City Council meeting on November 7th the Chamber's Tourism Committee met at the Chamber offices to discuss the proposed increased lodgings tax, additional billboards promoting the lodgings facil-ities in the City of Bessemer, and other items the com-mittee needed to talk about. This monthly meeting is usually held at the Bessemer Civic Center but be-cause of the council meeting it was moved to the Chamber. The purpose of the committee is to pro-mote tourism in the western Jefferson County area and specifically the City of Bessemer.

Chamber NewsChamber News44

NOW OPEN!

Our Beautiful

Exit 108I 20/59

Bessemer

NEW LOCATIONNEW LOCATION

1701 19th St. N.Bessemer428-0111

428-9064

1713 Third Avenue NorthBessemer, Alabama 35020

USSELL & OMPANY, LLC USSELL & OMPANY, LLCR CCERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTSCERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Board/Ambassador Retreat in PicturesBoard/Ambassador Retreat in Pictures

Ms. Ora Foster makes a point as Kay Baggett,Sunny Lippert, Arthur Green, Nelda Pate

and Lori Covington listen.

Ray Hardin of Alagasco, Mike Turner of Turner Taxand Dr. Deborah Horn of the Bessemer City Schools

listen to retreat presentation.

55Chamber NewsChamber News

Chamber leadership at retreat: Ambassador Coordinator Connie Fuell of White Industries, Treasurer Kenneth Coston of Coston General Contractors, Finance

Committee Chairperson, Joni Holt of Holt Insurance, Chairman Pam Nichols of Noland Health Services, and Chairman-elect Kenneth Gulley of Lawson State.

Featured speaker Ralph Stacy of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama talks with Chamber President Ronnie

Acker prior to addressing retreat attendees.

You would be proud of the hard work your Board members and Ambassadors put in at the annual Strategic Planning retreat. They worked hard to set the direction for your Chamber over the next year and beyond. And as usual when the social time came they enjoyed their time together. We have some great business people in Bessemer and they want to move the City forward in a positive way. Thank them when you get a chance and as your time allows join in to be a leader in your Chamber.

Chamber Board member, Tim Thornton, and the staff at UAB Medical West had a preview opening of the new Medical West Surgery Center. Held on November 9th, the event included a tour of the facility and some great food. Haley Tingle coordinated the event for the hospital and did an outstanding job. Doctors, hospital staff, Medical West board members, and foundation board members joined to-gether as they were very impressed with the new healthcare available in the western Jefferson County area. Medical West is leading the way to make state of the art healthcare available to everyone in Jefferson, Bibb and Tuscaloosa counties. When the facility opens make sure you take advantage of it and use the medical care avail-able in our area when it is needed.

Medical West Previews New BuildingMedical West Previews New Building

491-0000

www.alabamaford.com5041 Ford Parkway Bessemer, AL

Visit today and

see for yourself !

Just off Hwy 150, minutes from I-459.

THE LODGE Assisted Living

THE ORCHARD Dementia Care

Garden Homes

Separate and distinct living choices:

THE GROVE Independent Living

VALUE AND SERVICE IN

SENIOR LIVING SECOND TO NONE.

Noland Health Services 481-1271

66 Business NewsBusiness NewsWorkwise Holds Open HouseWorkwise Holds Open House City Council Does Not

Raise Lodgings TaxCity Council Does NotRaise Lodgings TaxNovember 2nd was the open house for the new

occupational therapy facility for Workwise located on Memorial Drive across from UAB Medical West. Workwise President Mary Holden and the staff opened up their facility and their hospitality as a large number of interested supporters, Ambassadors, Chamber members, and local companies dropped in to view the professional therapy that is available to employees of our local businesses who might be injured or become incapacitated on the job. This is a great healthcare option for all in our area and we encourage our businesses to look at Workwise as a partner in your support of your employees.

Local hotel managers/owners and Chamber Board members went before the Bessemer City Council to object to the proposed raising of the City's lodgings tax. Rupesh Patel, Hampton Inn, and Traci Channell, Best Western, spoke for the group and did a very professional job. They answered questions from the council and presented their reasons the tax should not be increased. After hearing from the council, those from the community who were pro or con, and from the Mayor the Council rejected the increase for lack of a second. Council member Louise Alexander made the motion to increase the tax but no Council member would second. Council President Dorothy Davidson then stated the motion died for lack of a second. The Chamber objected for two reasons: 1) the increased tax would put our local hotels in a competitive disadvantage to their competition and 2) the best way to increase revenue to the City is to grow businesses not tax them. This will probably be brought up again by the Mayor and Council member Louise Alexander.

Mary Holden, President of Workwise,and Chamber Board member Tim Thornton

of UAB Medical West enjoy open house

77Business NewsBusiness News

NOTE TO MEMBERS: This monthly article presents the thoughts and suggestions of members of the Chamber about business related topics. This month's focus is on our members who want to make a difference in their lives, their community and in their business. Taken from an arti-cle in The Chamber of Commerce Pacesetter, September 2006 and written by Mark Sanborn, CSP.

For instance, have you made a positive or negative dif-ference to:

The positive or negative impact you have on each per-son above varies only in magnitude. The principle is the same. When you choose not to make a positive differ-ence, you almost always make a negative one.

Difference makers: everyone matters-everyone makes a difference. I don't think everyone knows that. Most peo-ple grew up being told that they could make a difference, not that they do make a difference. As a result, some peo-ple believe they can choose to be neutral, making neither a positive nor a negative difference. In practice, that just is-n't so.

Have you recently encountered a person who didn't seem engaged? Perhaps he or she seemed wrapped up in his own private world, and you were left with the impression that you weren't important enough to gain admittance. Don't you hate to be ignored that way?

If you were to press that person, he might tell you he was simply being neutral. He might not have been helpful or in-terested in you, but he wasn't doing you any harm.

To me, that kind of rationalization is akin to the bystander at a mugging who chooses not to get involved. The fact is he has acted, in this case negatively, by not getting involved. In practical terms, neutrality is a myth.

The greatest insult in business or in life is indifference. You can't engage the world in a meaningful way by being "neu-tral". The perception on the part of others will be that they don't matter enough for you to engage with them.

My point is that everyone makes a difference. The choice we all have is whether we want to make a positive differ-ence or a negative one. The important question isn't, "Did you make a difference today?" The important question is, "What kind of difference did you make?"

In a gesture of true appreciation and community pride, local businessman Anthony Underwood presented a framed article from the Western Star featuring Ron Cook. Ron is the Chef at Regency Retirement Village, one of the Chamber's new-est members. Located at 285 West Oxmoor Road, Regency provides an outstanding facility for retirement living. Executive Director David Cruce was proud of the accomplishments of his food service group headed by Ron. Managing partner Scott Edens was on hand with David for the presentation from Anthony. Also, attending and showing the resident's appreciation was Ms. Marti Hughes who gave Ron a big hug. It was a special day as one Chamber member recog-nized another.

Mayor Ed May and Dr. Tanya Sigvaldson at Morgan Chiropractic and Wellness Center offi-cially cut the ribbon opening her new facility at 3054 Morgan Road just off I-459 at exit 6 to her patients. A complete wellness program can be found at the center including facials, therapeutic massages, and chiropractic medicine. Chamber ambassadors, family members and the staff at the center joined Dr. Sigvaldson in the event. Dr. Sigvaldson can be reached at 424-8400.

What Kind of DifferenceDid You Make Today?What Kind of DifferenceDid You Make Today?

Spotlight on Business:Spotlight on Business:Anthony UnderwoodRecognizes Local ChefAnthony UnderwoodRecognizes Local Chef

Morgan Chiropractic and WellnessCenter Has Ribbon CuttingMorgan Chiropractic and WellnessCenter Has Ribbon Cutting

Your client or customer, who was in a pinch and needed immediate attention?

Your son or daughter, who wanted you to read to him or her when you were busy preparing for the next day?

The stranger on the way to work who said good morning to you without getting a response?

Scott Edens,Ron Cook,

Anthony Underwood,David Cruce

and the Chamber'sLatasha Cook

show off plaquepresented to

Ron at Regency.

Dr. Tanya Sigvaldsonand Mayor Mayofficially open

wellness center.

To enhance ourcommunicationswith your office

or location, send youremail address to us at:

mmilan1@bellsouth.net

email

www.bessemerchamber.com

BESSEMER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OFFICE HOURSMonday-Friday 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.Phone: 205-425-3253 Fax: 425-4979Toll Free: 1-888-4BESSEMER (Toll Free)

www.bessemerchamber.com

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

P.O. Box 648Bessemer, Alabama 35021-0648

PRESORTED STANDARDU.S. POSTAGE

PERMIT NO. 149BESSEMER, AL 35020

PAID

YOUR CHAMBER STAFFYOUR CHAMBER STAFF

Ronnie Acker, President

LaTasha Cook, Vice President

Mary Milan, Administrative Specialist

Jean Brown, Accounting Specialist

CelebratingCelebrating 8484Years of ServiceYears of Service Cut out this logo to place in your ads for higher name recognitionCut out this logo to place in your ads for higher name recognition

BESSEMER AREACHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2006 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pam NicholsChairman of the BoardNoland Health Services

Jack WhitePast Chairman

White Industries

Kenneth GulleyChairman Elect

Lawson State Community College

Kenneth CostonTreasurer

Coston General Contractors

Dr. Deborah Horn, Bess. Board of Educ.Ross Mitchell, Baptist Health System

Sam Modder, Brown Service Funeral HomeJon Staggs, Alabama Power Company

Tim Thornton, UAB Medical WestMike Turner, Turner Tax

Hank Tyler, Henry H. Tyler EnterprisesRyan Underwood, Anthony Underwood Auto.

Thelma Vanderburg, First American Bank

Gene Cochran, Buffalo Rock CompaniesMelonie Delee, Alabama Adventure

Grover Dunn, Jefferson Co. Tax Collector Arthur Green, JeffCo District Attorney, Bess. Div.

Brian Hammonds, Brian's Carpet and TileDon Holmes, Holmes Oil Company

Joni Holt, Holt Insurance

Calendar of Events December 2006Calendar of Events December 2006White Industries

Hueytown

Downtown

Chamber Closed

Civic Center

Chamber

Chamber

Chamber

Chamber

Chamber Closed

Chamber Closed

Chamber Closed

Coffee & Contacts

Hueytown Christmas Parade

Bessemer Christmas Parade

Staff Christmas Luncheon

Tourism Division Meeting

Holiday Open House

Executive Committee Mtg.

Board of Director's Meeting

Board/Ambass. Holiday Lunch

Christmas Day

Christmas Holiday

New Year's Eve Holiday

Dec. 7

Dec. 9

Dec. 9

Dec. 12

Dec. 14

Dec. 14

Dec. 19

Dec. 19

Dec. 19

Dec. 25

Dec. 26

Dec. 29

8:15 A.M.

10:00 A.M.

2:00 P.M.

11:30-1:00 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

5-7:00 P.M.

11:00 A.M.

11:30 A.M.

12:30 P.M.

Holiday

Holiday

Holiday