NEWS RELEASE FOR
ROYAL OAK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
DATE 1/18/07
FROM Sharlan Douglas, Douglas Communications Group, 248-548-5460;
313-319-4846 cell;
mailto:sdouglas@douglasgroup.biz
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (January 18, 2007) Alan Kroll, president
of Space Care Interiors, will be recognized as the businessperson of the
year by the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce at the Best of Royal Oak
Business Awards event on Thursday, January 25, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at
Red Run Golf Club.
Doug Peneny of Community Graphics is the chamber’s volunteer
of the year and Howard Collens of Galloway and Collens PLLC is the
Ambassador of the year.
The chamber will also recognize three winners of the Royal
Oak Chamber of Commerce Beautification Awards: The Royal Oak Farmer’s
Market at 316 E. 11 Mile Rd., Write Impressions at 407 S. Washington and
Leon & Lulu, 96 W. 14 Mile Rd. in Clawson.
Reid Beyerlein from Edward Jones is the chamber’s
networker of
the year, chosen in a drawing from among members who attended 12 or more
events in 2006.
Attendance at
the members-only event is $45 and requires advance registration at
248-547-4000.
While his office interiors business has been in Berkley for
15 years, Kroll’s focus has been on improving the business climate in
Royal Oak, according to Jim Schneider, immediate past president of the
chamber. Kroll campaigned successfully for the tax abatement that kept
Metaldyne and its 600 jobs in Royal Oak. He has served on the chamber
board for 10 years, three of them as president.
“Alan is the one who basically spearheaded the chamber’s
membership drive,” Schneider said. The organization now has 612
members, compared to 350 in 2002. “Alan was the vision behind some of
the networking events that have given untold numbers of chamber members
the opportunity to network and mingle and do business together.”
“Although quiet by nature, Doug Peneny isn’t shy when it comes to
lending a helping hand whenever needed,” said chamber Executive Director
Bill Allen of the top 2006 volunteer. “For the last several years, Doug
has volunteered for virtually every Chamber event, sometimes for more
than one shift and on multiple days.”
Members of the chamber’s Ambassador committee welcome new
members and keep current ones engaged in the organization.
“Howard Collens’ attention to detail behind the scenes has
been instrumental in helping with membership retention,” said Ambassador
chair Christine Chubenko, herself a former award winner. “His
commitment to the Ambassador responsibilities and the professional
manner in which they are delivered set an excellent example for all
Ambassadors.”
Candidates for the beautification awards must be members of
the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce, according to selection committee
chair Susan Carter of Woodwardside GMAC Real Estate. Judges included
city commissioners, an architect and Representative Marie Donigan.
Also at the event,
the chamber will induct its 2007 board of directors. Officers are Mike
Sophiea, Oak City Grille, president; Jackie Galesky, Northwood Credit
Union, first vice president and treasurer and Jim Schneider, Schneider &
Smith Architects, past president. Additional board members are Travis
Beard, Worry Free Lawn Care; Susan Carter, Woodwardside GMAC Real
Estate; Christine Chubenko, What Webs We Weave; Norman Clissold, William
Beaumont Hospital; Jim Domanski, Pronto!; Ted Edginton, U.S. Bank; Steve
Harmon, National City Bank; Rick Johnson, Billings Lawn Equipment; Alan
Kroll, Space Care Interiors; Craig Mangold, Holiday Food Center; Vonnie
Miller, Stagecrafters; Terrance O’Rourke, Certified Financial
Consultants; Anna Saylor-Wither, Van Every Family Chiropractic Center;
Andrey Tomkiw, Tomkiw Dalton, PLC, and Preston True, Accomplishment
Coaching.
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