Greater Indianapolis Chamber puts into motion bold plan for growth through election of new board officers and directors

The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce board of directors yesterday elected officers and new directors to its 2006 board:

Chair: J. Albert Smith, president, Chase in Central Indiana
Vice Chair: Catherine A. Langham, president, Langham
Vice Chair Elect: Charles J. Garcia, president, GM Construction, Inc.
Secretary: William R. Neale, partner, Krieg DeVault LLP
Treasurer: Stephen E. Sterrett, chief financial officer, Simon Property Group, Inc.
President: Roland M. Dorson

"We intend to build on the legacy that the Indianapolis Chamber's leadership has created, acting even more boldly, with a broader regional focus and increased emphasis on economic growth," Al Smith, incoming chair, said. Smith added that the Chamber would visit the Indiana delegation in Washington, D.C., and spend time in another community that has had success with a more consolidated approach to marketing itself.

Roland Dorson, newly elected president of the Indianapolis Chamber, said the organization also would become as active politically as necessary to achieve the goal of a more streamlined local government. "The last thing we want to be doing as a region is moving backwards," Dorson said.

The following people also were added as new members to the board.

To serve a one-year term ending 12/31/06:
Peter Dunn, president, Steak n Shake
Sanford E. Garner, partner, A2SO4 Architecture, LLC
Darrin D. Gray, CEO, Brandirect, Inc.
Morris Maurer, president, The National Bank of Indianapolis
Thomas M. O’Neil, president, OfficeWorks
Phillip A. Terry, CEO, Monarch Beverage Co., Inc.
John T. Thompson, president, Thompson Distribution Company, Inc.
Steven F. Walker, president/CEO, Walker Information
Mary Weiss, president/CEO/publisher, Weiss Communications, Inc.

To serve a three-year term ending 12/31/08:
Steve Powell, director, external affairs and local government relations, SBC

To fill an unexpired three-year term ending 12/31/06:
Kay E. Pashos, president, Cinergy/PSI
Larry Sablosky, senior executive vice president, Finish Line

To fill an unexpired three-year term ending 12/31/07:
Beverly A. Pitts, president, University of Indianapolis

To become an emeritus member:
Thomas H. Sams, president, Waldemar Insurance

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Founded in 1890 by Colonel Eli Lilly and a group of Indianapolis business leaders, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the central Indiana business community. Today, with a membership of nearly 4,000 businesses, the Indianapolis Chamber is still a voice of progress and improvement, bringing together businesses for a thriving community. For more information on the Chamber, visit indychamber.com.