Long-Time Board Member Regina Ramalheira Assumes Presidency

Outgoing President Rachel Haviland Thanked For Her Service To The Chamber

After serving seven years on the Board of Directors, New Tampa Chamber of Commerce President Rachel Haviland, Ph.D., is stepping down two months early due to her commitments as co-founder and COO of Marketing Tecs, Inc. a cross-channel marketing agency which launched at the beginning of 2012.

“Leaving the board is bittersweet for me.” says Haviland, “My time with the New Tampa Community Council and being a part of the transition into the New Tampa Chamber has been a very rewarding experience. It has been an honor to serve the New Tampa community for so many years and to contribute to the growth and development of the organization.”

Haviland will continue to be involved with the Chamber as an Ambassador and help with the upcoming 20th annual Taste of New TampaTM, which is being planned for March of 2013 at the Primrose Park, located adjacent to the Primrose School off Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms, opposite Freedom High and Liberty Middle School.

The Chamber is proud to announce that 17-year veteran Board member and local Realtor, Regina Ramalheira, who was serving as the Board’s Vice President, is stepping up to take Haviland’s place.

“I have no doubt that Regina will do an outstanding job as the new President of the Chamber,” says Haviland. “She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the organization and to New Tampa as a whole. We could not be in better hands! Regina has a committed Board of Directors to support her, just as they supported me.”

As incoming President, Regina has some serious plans to try to increase interest and participation in, awareness of and membership.

“I want to improve and increase our membership by offering more business-to-business opportunities and to promote our members’ businesses and allowing them to speak at our ongoing events and to offer additional benefits at each membership level,” Regina says.

Regina adds that her goal is to “Build friendships and bonds of support for our members” and hopes that Chamber members and local residents will look to do business with other member companies first. “I believe that despite the traffic, Bruce B. Downs is not that long a road and literally has everything we need right here!”

So, Regina hopes that anyone who isn’t yet a Chamber member will consider purchasing a membership, the cost of which starts at just $125, with Chamber business sponsorships ranging between $50 and $1,500.

“I am really counting on the big businesses located on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. to step up and join us on a bigger level, because I know so many of them live here, too, with their families,” Regina adds. “I am proud to live in New Tampa and lead the Chamber here and hope more local residents will see the value of joining our Chamber.”

Regina, who has lived in New Tampa since 1991 and who first joined what is now the Chamber in 1996, also has been the Volunteer Coordinator for the Taste for about a decade and she hopes even more local residents and business owners will volunteer for this year’s 20th annual Taste.

“We also need more speakers, more attendees and more networking opportunities at our events,” she adds. “It’s time for everyone to get involved. Feel free to call me at 813-245-8893 and I will set up a convenient time for us to meet personally so we can discuss the benefits of the Chamber.”

Regina notes that the theme of her presidency will be that of “T.E.A.M.,” which stands for “Together, Everyone Accomplishes More.”

The Chamber also welcomes Jayne Baker, a Certified Natural Health Professional, as its new Executive Assistant. “Unlike other older and larger chambers, the New Tampa Chamber doesn’t have full-time staff,” Haviland says. “The organization is run entirely by volunteers, all of whom have their own businesses or full-time jobs. The past year has been challenging without an assistant and keeping the Chamber running with a skeleton board.”

“We’re thrilled Jayne accepted the job,” adds Ramalheira. “I believe she will be a great asset to the Chamber.”

 

Chamber Lunches Move To Tuesdays!

• NEW! - Chamber lunches are now being held the 2nd Tuesday of each month, noon, at Hunter’s Green Country Club (18101 Longwater Run Dr.). $15 for Chamber members/$20 non.

This month’s Chamber luncheon is being held on Tuesday, August 14, and will feature guest speaker Steve Hayes of Visit Tampa Bay, whose topic will be, “Leveraging a Major Political Convention for Future Business.”

Also, check out the Chamber’s first “Networking on the 9s” event to be played at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club on Thursday, Sept. 6.

Visit NewTampaChamber.org for info about this and other events.