Arvada Chamber of Commerce

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Board of Directors

Larry Barker, Chairman
Sonsio

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I serve on the Arvada Chamber Board to support the business community where I live, and collaborate with exceptional leaders.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Each of the 7 priorities of the Arvada Chamber is critically important and I am impressed with the progress in each area but in 2020 the resiliency initiative helped save many businesses in Arvada and Jefferson County.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Focus as much time working on your business as you do working in your business.

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Chris Adams
Thrive Workplace

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I love being part of teams that make a genuinely positive impact on others and the Arvada Chamber does that and more. I'm honored to be part of such a great team!

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

I am very proud of the work the chamber does is developing leaders. I believe great leaders and teams truly change the world we live in. I'm grateful the Arvada Chamber has a strong vision for developing leaders.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Get connected to other business leaders. Don't do this alone.

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Nathan Cooper
SMACNA Colorado

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

To help solve the common challenges of businesses in Arvada - There's so much we can accomplish collectively that each individual doesn't have the resources to accomplish.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Connecting the future workforce to Arvada employers through Arvada Works. Providing a platform to allow members to invest and grow is critical to success of the business community.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Plug into your community and give - time, funding, insight - whatever talent you have. It will pay dividends for you personally and professionally.

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Paul Danborn
Frie, Arndt, Danborn & Thiessen P.C.

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I truly enjoy the chance to work with other Board members on issues facing the Arvada business community and by extension, the entire Arvada community. Every member of the Board brings a unique perspective and hearing from them and the Chamber's excellent staff is valuable. It is very fulfilling to play a small part in the Chamber's work to make Arvada a better place to live and work.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

I am most proud of the advocacy efforts the Chamber continues to engage in -- as a liaison between the business community and city and state government, educational institutions, nonprofits, and residents.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Join the Chamber, and get involved!

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Mollie Gilligan
Payroll Vault
Katie Groke
Apex Park and Recreation District

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I serve on the Board of Directors because Apex values our partnership with the Chamber and believes if we work together we can maximize our ability to serve the community. If we share resources and collaborate we can all save time, money and resources!

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

I am most proud of the community outreach. We have done such a great job communicating our priorities and bringing together coalitions to discuss important issues that affect the whole community.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Stay positive and get involved!

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Andrew Heesacker
Arvada Rent-Alls

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I am passionate about helping my community including businesses!

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

The focus on workforce development is what I am most proud of.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Stay consistent and disciplined in your journey in business no matter what level you are at.

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Matthew Herbert
I-kota, LLC

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I believe being of service is a critical component to life. I have been fortunate to have the ability and given the opportunity to be part of the chamber board. It has been a great group to be part of to help find ways to better serve our community and I get to learn from an extremely talented group of people along the way.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Being part of Arvada Works has selfishly been my favorite part of Arvada Chamber. I-kota, LLC being a general contractor working in the affordable housing industry, we are continually working to hire low income individuals and introduce high school students to the potential of a career in the construction trades. It has been a very collaborative approach networking between the passionate individuals with the Arvada Chamber and those needing help in the affordable housing market in Colorado.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Take time to celebrate your successes. It is common to always look towards the next challenge, or the next goal. It takes discipline to devote time to celebrate together.

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Christopher Hill
Odyssey Beerwerks

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

My wife and I own a business in Arvada, Odyssey Beerwerks Brewery & Taproom), work full time at Odyssey, live, and play in Arvada. We are deeply invested in the continued growth and livability of the city.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Advocacy for Business. Many business owners and residents don't really know about ALL the proposed policy changes, legislation, property developments, council meetings, etc. that have the potential to impact them. It's amazing that the Arvada Chamber of Commerce has a seat at the table for nearly all of these conversations - and is a respected advocate for the businesses that may be impacted.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

No matter how much you love what you do (and I do love beer), it's still a business. Treat it as such and you will run into fewer problems.

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James Johnson
Varra Financial Associates

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I have grown in my career through the Chamber and its programs. I want to play a role in continuing the work the organization has been doing to be a reliable and trusted resource for the business community.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

I believe the Leadership programs are critical to helping our current and future leaders continue to learn and improve so they can be more effective leaders in their work and daily lives.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Don't go it alone! This community will lift you up!

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Michael Juergeons
Rise Benefit Solutions
Vanessa Kendrick
Your Castle Real Estate

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

Serving on the board allows me to give back to the Chamber which has given so much to me and my business. I also enjoy working alongside so many great business leaders in our community.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

I am most proud of my role in shaping and leading the Leadership Arvada priority area. It is a passion project of mine since I graduated from Leadership many years ago. I am also really excited to begin work in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion priority area and see the value this work brings to our business community.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

You will get out of Chamber what you put in. Get involved!

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Jennifer Kroetch
Red Rocks Community College

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors to engage the college as an integral part of a healthy, thriving community.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

I am most proud of the healthcare KAPS council and the opportunity it gives businesses in Arvada.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Get involved in the community! We all know Arvada is a great place to live, work, play, and learn.

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Rita Lawrence
All Secure Lock & Security

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors because I enjoy giving back to the business community that has helped us. I also enjoy helping shape the future of the business community and influencing legislation.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

The work done in the covid recovery has been nothing short of amazing. This area has had the most impact on my business. However, I am most proud of the Workforce development work that has been done. The idea of a talent pipeline—connecting schools with training to businesses that need the talent—is something that I didn't think was possible. Being part of workforce development has been eye-opening.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Get involved! When you talk and spend time with other business owners and share ideas you no longer only have the one idea that you came up with, you have two ideas!

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Scott Phillips
Centura Health

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I am privileged to serve on the Arvada chamber board as both a resident of Arvada and a Healthcare Administrator that can bring a subject matter expertise to the role and organization.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

The Healthcare initiatives that deal with getting Arvada businesses access to affordable healthcare products.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Get involved. The more you work with us, the more we can support you!

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Lindsay Reinert
Lutheran Medical Center | SCL Health
Edward Rothschild
AlphaGraphics

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

To help move business forward in our community and to contribute, to the extent I can, in providing leadership and direction for the Chamber and its mission.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Assisting with the assessment and support of legislation that impacts the business community in Arvada and Jefferson County. We can make a difference.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Join the Chamber and find at least one aspect to actively participate in.

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Dave Runyon
CityUnite

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

To become friends with people who care about the common good in Arvada.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Arvada Works. Connecting people with good jobs is the best thing we can do to help individuals and our community thrive.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

When you are working, work hard...and when you are not working, don't work.

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Kathryn Seehusen
Colorado Home Realty
William Sheridan
SFInvest
Lisa Steven
Hope House Colorado

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

Our nonprofit, Hope House Colorado, and the teen mothers we serve, have been embraced and welcomed by the City of Arvada. Many businesses in Arvada contribute goods and services, as well as financial resources, to Hope House. I am privileged to serve on the Board of the Chamber and give back to our business community in this way. I am also truly excited by the Chamber's innovative solutions to business problems and issues!

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Development KAPS council, as we are working to provide a sustainable future for the Chamber, and also the Advocacy KAPS Council as it seeks legislative solutions that are business-friendly

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

Being a part of the Chamber is more than a networking opportunity - it is a chance to be a part of a positive, motivated, engaged community!

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Barb Stevens
Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)

Why do you serve on the Arvada Chamber Board of Directors?:

I serve on the Arvada Chamber Board to connect with and support Arvada businesses and business leaders. I hope that my learnings from taking a business from start-up, no revenue and 6 people to over $50M in revenue and 180 people can help other leaders learn how to organize and grow their own business - both what to do and what not to do.

What Chamber priority area are you most proud of and why?:

Both Leadership and Resiliency because of the programs the Chamber offers in support of growing the current and next generation of leaders, as well as providing support and education to help businesses plan for things that are critical but not always top of mind until something becomes an issue.

However, what I am most excited about and proud of is working with the Chamber team itself. Through their passion and creativity, the Arvada Chamber has redefined how a Chamber of Commerce can contribute to and support local business. I am proud to be a small part of what the Chamber does.

What piece of advice would you offer another business?:

As an Ops leader and an EOS Implementer, this should come as no surprise. Always have a plan and align your team around it so you are all working towards the same end goal.

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arvadachamber_partner
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
By appointment only

Arvada Chamber of Commerce
7305 Grandview Ave.
Arvada, CO 80002

Contact
(303) 424-0313

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