A VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE APPEARS IN THE RED ROCK NEWS

July 16, 2021

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I recently worked with our Board to identify four organizing principles that define our mission of success for the chamber, greater Sedona and the Verde Valley:

>> Advocating for business.
>> Managing our sustainable destination.
>> Convening residents and public agencies to solve problems.
>> Tackling the labor crisis, including the issue of housing availability and affordability.

Thanks to Outgoing Board Chair Lonnie Lillie

This month, we welcome five newly elected members and before introducing them, I want to thank outgoing Board Chair Lonnie Lille. Last spring, he agreed to serve an extra year to help Sedona respond to the COVID pandemic. His steady leadership helped our business community stay flexible and innovative, keeping our economy going while  our economy and protecting and serving our residents. Thank you, Lonnie!

Five Newest Members are Dedicated, Accomplished Professionals

Please join me in welcoming these dynamic new members:

Dr. Beth DuPree – Breast Surgeon Cancer, Medical Director of Oncology Services, Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona. Voted NAH Physician of the Year for Verde Valley Medical Center in 2020, Beth leads a breast cancer program that received national accreditation in 2019. She previously served as Vice President of Holy Redeemer Health System in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at The University of Pennsylvania. She was a Philadelphia Magazine 2016 and 2017 ‘Top Doc’ in surgery and complementary medicine.

Gary Glenn – Gary Glenn Portraits Gary found Sedona in 2013 when a film he created was accepted in the Sedona International Film Festival and he visited from Australia, where he lived for 40 years. As a photographer, videographer, professional public speaker and business consultant, he has worked with hundreds of businesses improving sales, management, and staffing practices.

Julia Kaiser GM, The Arabella Sedona  Julia is a seasoned Sedona hotelier, serving at the Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa, the Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, and the Hampton Inn before taking her current position. She believes the chamber has a crucial role in convening all stakeholders to solve present challenges and make Sedona and the Verde Valley better.

KC Kinsey GM, Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock  Decades of hospitality experience have seen KC operate some of the West’s finest resorts and oversee major renovations and conversions. He is a Board member of The Warburton, an annual fundraising event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In addition, he has served on several tourism councils, community boards, and steering committees. KC resides in the Village of Oak Creek.

Ed Rose GM, Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority  During a 40-year aviation management career which included a stint as President of the New York Airport Manager’s Association, Ed has worked with local governments, economic development corporations and chambers of commerce to integrate aviation resources with the managed growth of communities. An advocate for environmental preservation, Ed led his own outdoor adventures service in New York’s Hudson Valley.

New Board Officers Will Set the Pace

Four of our current Board members are advancing to executive positions. They are:

>> Al Comello of Comello Media Services, Board Chairman
>> Jennifer Perry, Regional Director of the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona, Vice-Chair
>> Wendy Lipmann, General Manager and Resident Partner for Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village and Tlaquepaque North, Board Secretary
>> Mike Wise of Arizona Prime Real Estate, Sycamore Group, Board Treasurer. 

You can read the complete bios of all our board members at SedonaChamber.com.

Ex-Oficios and Outgoing Members Have Earned our Gratitude

I also want to thank our outgoing members who served the chamber and community so well, especially during the depths of the pandemic crisis. The ex-officio members are:

>> Jerry Hayman, GM, Sedona Golf Resort
>> Linda Goldenstein of Goldenstein Galleries
>> Mike Hermen, VP of Pink Jeep Tours

And outgoing Board members

>> Whitney Cunningham of Aspey, Watkins & Diesel, LLC
>> Kyle Larson, GM, Larson Newspapers
>> Ralph Woellmer, Owner, Matterhorn Inn

With thanks to our departing members, our newly constituted Board is ready for the challenges ahead!

-Candace Carr Strauss,
President/CEO

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