Committees

Education Committee

Chair Jeanne Knopf DeRoche, The Knopf Company
The Education Committee implements a scholarship program for the Chamber and local service clubs to reward four deserving local students. The committee also recognizes the efforts of the School Board with a special presentation each spring called the “Bridge Builders.” This committee also addresses issues such as student workforce preparedness and other educational issues affecting the Plymouth Canton Community School District. The committee also interacts with the Youth Leadership program.

Governmental Affairs Committee

Chair Cindy Ash, GLA Surveyors and Engineers, Inc.
The Committee monitors public policy at a state and local level that effects the business community. They disseminate information to members on these issues and recommend policy positions for the Board of Directors to adopt. Additionally they host the State of the Community Breakfast each year that brings together our local and county leaders to discuss issues prevalent in the community. The Committee also will host forums during elections with candidates running for office.

Industrial Advisory Committee

Chair Joe Grima, Freudenberg-NOK
The committee provides a forum for industrial companies in Plymouth to interact with each other and local government officials. The group meets two to three times a year to address the common interests and concerns.

Retail Committee

Chair TPD                                                                                         The retail committee is a forum for retailers in the downtown or the near vicinity to coordinate local sales and promotional campaigns. The committee also distributes information to these retailers and provide a forum for collective discussion and action on issues affecting their businesses.

Small Business Committee

Co-Chair Maria Barone, Barone Law Offices
Co-Chair Mark Evenson, Community Financial
Oversee the Business Showcase and Taste of Plymouth, which is a business expo and restaurant sampling that takes place in May. The event attracts 80-95 exhibitors and 600-700 attendees.

Ambassadors Committee

Chair Mike Ritter, AFLAC                                                             Works on new membership recruitment and retention of existing members.  The group attends Chamber events, ribbon cuttings, contacts new members on a regular basis and hosts new member orientations.

The Golf Outing Committee

Golf Committee: Chair Greg Blackwood, Fraza Forklifts               Plans the annual Golf Outing that takes place each summer and is a major fundraiser for the Chamber                  

Auction Comittee

Co-Chairs: Chair Greg Blackwood, Fraza Forklifts and Joe Grima, Freudenberg-NOK
2009 Auction Committee:
Cindy Ash, GLA Surveyors; Mark Baker, National City Bank; Sue Dillon, Graphic Visions; Dominique Duong, New York Life; Mark Evenson, Community Financial; Nancy Finley, Harper, Finley & Associates; Cindy Fletcher, State Farm Ins.; Deena Heath, Huntington Bank; Fred Hill, ReMax on the Trail; Liz Kerstens, Plymouth Historical Museum; Kris Mayer, New Liberty Bank; Sandy Marulis, Michigan Made & More; Scott McGlone, Cincinnati Time Systems; Steve Miller, Celebrity Weddings; Lori Morrison, Ribar Floral; David and Linda Siegrist, Siegrist & Siegrist; Jim and Nancy Vermeulen, Vermeulen Funeral Home, Sarah Webb, Comfort Keepers.  
These two committees involve the entire business community to make the Chamber's two major fundraisers a continued success and a source of pride.