Chamber News

Changing of the Guard at MCEP Chamber

The changing of the guard takes place as Barbara Melnyk-Mini (L) retires as executive director of Mont Clare-Elmwood Park Chamber of Commerce. Her replacement is (R) Lisa McManus./photo by David Pollard.

Change is taking place at the Mont Clare – Elmwood Park Chamber of Commerce, with the retirement of outgoing Executive Director Barbara Melnyk-Mini. After 11 years, Barb is retiring effective September the first.

Ms. Lisa McManus, who started working with Barb in July to ease the transition, will replace Ms. Melnyk-Mini.

Mr. Rich Mazzulo, president of Mont Clare-Elmwood Park Chamber of Commerce, said he will miss Ms. Melnyk-Mini’s leadership.

“Barb was outstanding to work with” he said, “But, I’m excited to work with Lisa. Lisa brings a little more to the table with social media and that’s the way we want to present the Chamber. She’s really excited to get it to the next level.”

“The Chamber has come a long way,” stated Barbara Melnyk-Mini. “While I was here, we doubled our membership to 200 businesses and 30 residents.”

“I’ve always been in the community,” Ms. Melnyk-Mini said. “I’ve lived here most of my life. I’m the third generation here.”

Lisa McManus is also a third-generation Elmwood Park resident, having attended St. Celestine Catholic School and Elmwood Park High School, as well as being married with four children. Lisa is also a member of John Mills Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Association.

“I would like to take the chamber and reintroduce it to the community and make it a strong asset,” McManus said.

“A lot of people who live in the area never had to work with the Chamber,” McManus continued. “I want to let people know we’re here and we’ve been here for a long time.”

CONGRATULATIONS ALDERMAN SPOSATO!

The Mont Clare – Elmwood Park Chamber of Commerce salutes our former board member and chamber officer, 36th Ward, Alderman-elect Nicholas Sposato on his victory in the election held on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

Nick, has been a staunch supporter of the Chamber and was a generous donor to the chamber with both his dollars and his time. Upon embarking upon his quest to bring honest and open representation to the community of Mont Clare, Nick left his position with the Chamber Board and all but severed his ties with the Chamber, to avoid creating any hint of conflicts of interest between the Chamber and the previous Alderman’s organization.

Now that Alderman Sposato has won his seat on the City of Chicago Board, the Chamber hopes that he will – once again – be a familiar presence at Chamber events.

Congratulations, Alderman! Well done!

THE CHAMBER CAN HELP

The cost of doing business has gone up! Whether it is utilities, labor, health care or sales tax, small business is being bombarded by additional costs and no recourse. In times like these, you need someone to go to bat for you. Groups like our Chamber are one of your best resources to help you stem the tide. While we don’t have all the answers, we are able to provide opportunities to advertise, to network with other businesses in the area, and local connections to help you in the daily running of your business or organization. We invite you to use our services whether it be attending an after hour’s event, becoming a spotlighted member on our web site, sending an advertising message for our reader sign or providing information on your business for our new resident welcome bags. These services are free to our members.

And if we do not have the answers, we will be glad to help you find them.