Chandler Chamber president, retention program honored

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

A Chandler Chamber of Commerce program and its president/CEO both earned state-level awards this fall — and those awards were acknowledged at a recent Chandler City Council meeting.

The Chandler Chamber was awarded Outstanding Chamber Program of the Year by the Arizona Chamber Executives for its Business Retention and Expansion program — developed in partnership with local Chandler education and community leaders, according to a news release.

President / CEO Terri Kimble was named Industry Leader of the Year.

“Our Business Retention and Expansion program is where we go into businesses, not only with Council members or city staff, but also with some of our educational partners,” Kimble said. “This is a one-stop-shop program that’s been really important to our businesses.”

Mayor Kevin Hartke said the city’s grateful for its strong relationship with the Chamber.

Helping the mayor present the city’s recognition was Council member Jane Poston.

Chamber Board of Directors members and staff who were at the Nov. 10 meeting to pose for photos alongside Kimble and the mayor and Council were Peter Sciacca of WGNSTAR, Rick Huemann of CMA, Hilen Cruz of the Salt River Project, Crystal Blackwell of Crystal Clear Results and Grant Thompson and Carly Wakefield.

Jason W. Brooks can be reached at jbrooks@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as those meet our  Civility Guidelines.

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.