- February 1, 2025
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The 2019 Port Orange South Daytona Leadership class. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Leadership Steering Committee Chairman Joe Coury speaks at the annual banquet and leadership graduation at Riverside Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Sara Cherapan shakes South Daytona Mayor Bill Hall's hand after graduating from the chamber's leadership class at the annual banquet and leadership graduation at Riverside Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ricardo Gil shakes Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette's hand after graduating from the chamber's leadership class at the annual banquet and leadership graduation at Riverside Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Outgoing Board members Dr. Jamie Young, Janice Griffin, and Laura Bond Walker with past President Shawn Goepfert. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
2019 Ambassador of the Year Michael Agri with past Chair Shawn Goepfert. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
2019 Friend of the Chamber Award winner Ray Donadio with past Chair Shawn Goepfert. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
2019 Business Person of the Year Tom Clapsaddle with past Chair Shawn Goepfert. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
New Board Chair Jennifer Card is installed by Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Past Chair Shawn Goepfert and current Chair Jennifer Card. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette installs the new officers for the board. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
President Debbie Connors unveils the new logo for the chamber. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet and leadership graduation on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Riverside Pavilion where the new board of directors and officers for 2020 were installed.
A total of 19 people graduated from the 2019 leadership class, including people in the healthcare, government, insurance and restaurant industries. The 9-week program is designed to inform and develop leadership in the community, according to the chamber website. The program is offered annually, and include sessions revolving around topics like criminal justice and team building.
Leadership Steering Committee Chairman Joe Coury said the leadership class was given a "gift of knowledge and insight," and he challenged the graduates to see what they can do with these gifts;
“I know from looking at that group and working with them personally, the talent is there," Coury said.
The power of influence is more significant than the power of authority, Coury said of leadership.
“Once you suddenly learn what that really means, you will know that anyone who achieves that to a high level earns the title of being awesome, and that title is not used often.”
The chamber board chair was also installed at the banquet. Jennifer Card, of Realty Pros Assured, is replacing past Board Chair Shawn Goepfert, of Iten Insurance Agency.
During Card's first remarks after being installed by Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette, she recognized the chamber staff and her fellow board members for their hard work, saying it "really does takes a village."
“There’s so many people that have been instrumental in making our past important, and our present important," Card said.
The chamber will be adopting a tagline of "Collaborate, Develop and Advocate" moving forward to continue its mission to "enhance the quality of life in the community by advocating for business development, building relationships and supporting economic opportunity," Card said.
The chamber will continue its networking efforts, as well as work on retaining students in the area post-graduation via economic and workforce development. It is also hoping to increase collaboration with other chambers. It will also keep developing programs like the leadership class and new business mentoring, while also striving to advocate for businesses in the community.
A new logo for the chamber was also unveiled at the meeting, presented by Chamber President Debbie Connors.
