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GOVERNOR JAMES DOUGLAS

TO SPEAK AT NEK CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING

Vermont Governor James H. Douglas will serve as the featured guest speaker at the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 12 noon, at the Stevens Dining Hall, Lyndon State College, Lyndon Center. The meeting is open to chamber members and the general public.

Governor Douglas has served the people of Vermont for more than 30 years. He was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 1972. He became assistant majority leader in his second term and majority leader in his third term. Governor Douglas retired from the Vermont Legislature in 1979 to become a top aide to then-Governor Richard Snelling.

In 1980, Governor Douglas was elected secretary of state, a post he held until 1993. His state service continued with his election as state treasurer in 1994, a position he held until his successful run for governor in 2002. He has since been re-elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Outside of government, Governor Douglas has been active in many community organizations. He is a past president of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce and Porter Medical Center and has served on many Addison County and statewide civic and social organizations. He continues to serve as town moderator for Middlebury, a post he has held for more than 20 years.

Governor Douglas has made countless trips to the region in his eight years as governor and is known for having a photographic memory and dry sense of humor. Over the course of his career, Governor Douglas has received more votes than any other person in Vermont history, a testament to his appeal to voters of all political persuasions.

Governor Douglas, who will not be seeking another term, will be receiving a special recognition award from the Northeast Kingdom Chamber for his many years of commitment and service to the region at the Feb. 25 annual meeting. Also scheduled is approval of the chamber’s board of trustees and the awarding of the Kingdom Improvement and Recognition honors.

Reservations are required. The details and cost of the luncheon are still being worked out, but members can call to make reservations to the luncheon by contacting the NEK Chamber at 802-748-3678 or nekinfo@nekchamber.com.  Spaces are limited to the event.

nEK CHAMBER OFFERING EXPANDED RIBBON-CUTTING SERVICES

The Northeast Kingdom Chamber has announced it will greatly expand services when assisting businesses with grand openings and ribbon cuttings. The chamber, based in St. Johnsbury, has 400 members throughout the tri-county region.

In addition to offering its usual services, inviting dignitaries and promoting the openings/ribbon cuttings prior to the event, the chamber will also write and distribute press releases and photos after the event to send to regional and state media outlets. The business will also be given a memento of the celebration - a framed photo of the actual ribbon cutting.

"The Northeast Kingdom Chamber is committed to the highest level of customer service," said Chamber President Wes Ward, from Wes Ward Auto Repair, whose own shop was recognized for customer service by AAA in 2008. "The NEK Chamber wants to look at every opportunity possible to promote local businesses to a broader audience."

The service is being offered to businesses, regardless of chamber membership, and the NEK Chamber will work with other chambers and associations in the region to ensure representation at the event.