A Message from Chamber President Rick Aschieris:

An exciting year comes to a close

JUNE 2008  - What an amazing experience the last year has been. In June 2007,  I became the President of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Throughout its 107 years, the Chamber, its staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly for the betterment of Stockton ..

Those efforts have paid off making the city a far better place to do business. In the last year the City has seen the grand opening of the Sheraton Stockton Hotel at Regent Pointe and Paragary’s Bar and Grill, key pieces of downtown’s continued redevelopment. The city has also added the Elephant Bar and BJ’s to the city’s culinary scene and witnessed the development of the Stonecreek Village Shopping Center , adding to shoppers’ list of retail choices.

The Chamber honored those businesses that continued to expand the area’s industrial base with our Industrial & Technology Barbecue in September at Micke Grove Park .

The Chamber honored the area’s rich agricultural history when the events department put on the Stockton Ag Expo in January. The Expo brought together customers and suppliers of some of the area’s biggest and smallest players in the agricultural industry.

Keeping an eye toward the future, the Chamber’s Green Team San Joaquin sponsored Rexpo IV that focused on ways businesses can increase profits through use of “Green” technologies.

We at the Port Of Stockton were honored to host the 2008 State of the City Luncheon where we highlighted all the Stockton has accomplished and looked forward to what looks to be a bright future. It was a great want to help continue a year-long celebration of the Port’s 75^th year in operation. The Port continues it efforts to bring commerce and jobs to Stockton, San Joaquin County and the rest of the country.

It has been a pleasure to serve this Chamber. The Chamber could never complete its mission without the help of its board members, volunteers and members like you.

While it has been an honor and pleasure to serve as your president, it is time to pass the torch to the next president. Dennis Goldstrand will take the post as president for the 2008-2009 year and be installed at the installation dinner on June 19.

He brings to the post his years of business experience and dedication to the Chamber and its members. The future looks bright for the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, its members and the business community of San Joaquin County .