A Message from Chamber President Dennis Goldstrand:

Tenure as President gives chance to promote community, Chamber

JULY 2008  - It is an honor to serve as your Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce president for 2008-2009. The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce has a rich 107-year history, led by many of the business and community leaders of the past. I am proud to follow such a distinguished lineage.

My congratulations to Rick Aschieris for a successful year as president and we thank him for his many years of service to the Chamber.

I have enjoyed my involvement in the Chamber these past years as a board member, member of the executive committee, co-chair of the Government Relations Council and long-term member. I welcome the opportunity to continue to do so as your president this year.

After more than a century, your Chamber continues to be relevant to the business community and critical to the economic vitality of our region. The mission of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively develop and promote an economically vibrant business community.

Programs that support this mission include the Government Relations Council, Manufacturers Industrial Distribution Roundtable, Small Business Council, Stockton Chamber Apprenticeship Program, REDTeam, Business Education Alliance, Conference & Visitors Bureau, Green Team San Joaquin, Liaison Committee, Welcome Squad and other vital programs. I will highlight each of these in my monthly president’s message in the Port-O-Call.

Two areas of major concern for our members are: excessive regulation and the permit process; and the lack of sufficient trained and qualified workforce. We will continue to address these issues on behalf of our members.

Thank you to our talented staff and volunteers for your dedication and commitment to the mission of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce and to our members who support our efforts.

President Goldstrand, Officers and board members were sworn into office by Mayor Edward Chavez at the Installation Dinner.