Economic Future Topic of Columbus Chamber Annual Meeting

    COLUMBUS, OH, February 25, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- More than 1,100 business and community leaders attended the Columbus Chamber's Annual Meeting, held in the new Battelle Grand at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The event focused on economic development plans for the Columbus region, including a vision for 2020 and the Chamber's ongoing commitment to retain and expand existing businesses in central Ohio.

The Columbus2020! strategy is designed to take this region to the next level, using the basic elements of economic development - attraction of new companies; expansion of existing companies; creation of new companies; and the enhancement of workforce, infrastructure, and quality of life.

"The Chamber is pleased to be an integral part of the Columbus2020! strategy. Retaining and growing existing businesses is our highest priority, as these organizations create 60 to 90 percent of all new jobs," said Ty Marsh, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber. "Moving forward, the Chamber is eager to bolster our programs that provide assistance to both large corporations and small companies across the region. It is our mission at the Chamber to help them succeed and prosper."

Presentation overview
Alex Fischer, president and CEO, The Columbus Partnership, helped to unveil the details of the Columbus2020! initiative. The initiative will focus on three core strategies to ensure the economic success of Columbus over the next decade: retaining and expanding the companies and industries that call central Ohio home today; attracting major employers to establish operations in the region; and creating more commercial enterprises by leveraging the region's research assets and entrepreneurs. The community collaboration of the initiative is unprecedented.

Jack Partridge, president, Columbia Gas of Ohio, and incoming chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors, discussed the role the organization will play in nurturing existing businesses to foster growth.

"Through Columbus2020!, the Chamber will deliver an essential resource to our region - a blueprint for economic growth and vitality of our existing businesses, as well as the energy, synergies and partnerships to make it happen," said Partridge. "As we move through this transformation in our community, your Chamber will serve as a catalyst for change."

Columbus Award
Michael Morris, chairman, president and CEO, AEP, received the Columbus Award, the most prestigious award given by the Columbus Chamber, recognizing an area business professional for outstanding business and community leadership. The award was presented by Dave Blom, president and CEO, OhioHealth and the Chamber's immediate past chairman, and Partridge.

"Mike has devoted his expertise to build a better Columbus, leading AEP's commitment to build the Scioto Mile, a mile long system of bike and pedestrian paths, urban streets, new riverfront park spaces and activities along the Scioto River," said Blom. "In an integral role at AEP, Mike also brings national attention to Columbus for his knowledge and work on environmental issues. It is a true honor for me to bestow this year's award to a most-deserving recipient."

Morris received a unique piece of art created exclusively for the Columbus Award by Dawson Kellogg, assistant professor, dimensional studies program, the Columbus College of Art and Design.

Board of Directors elections
As part of the annual meeting, the following members were re-elected to serve another term on the Columbus Chamber Board of Directors.

• Terri L. Hill, president, Nationwide Better Health, and executive vice president, Nationwide Administration
• John P. McEwan, office managing partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
• Lonnie L. Miles, CEO, Miles-McClellan Construction Co., Inc.
• Gregory R. Overmyer, CPCU
• William W. Pfeiffer, chairman and CEO, CareWorks
• Elaine Roberts, A.A.E., president and CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority
• Eric C. Smith, vice chairman emeritus, Team Fishel

New to the board are:
• Robert D. Irwin, president and CEO, Sterling Commerce
• Jeff M. S. Kaplan, senior vice president, administration and planning, and special assistant to the president, The Ohio State University
• Stephen E. Kelly, senior vice president, Battelle, and president, National Security Global Business
• Catherine M. Lyttle, vice president of corporate communications and investor relations, Worthington Industries, Inc.
• Kathleen P. Murphy, president, MurphyEpson, Inc.

The Columbus Chamber 2010 Annual Meeting was presented in partnership with State Auto Insurance Companies. Event partners include Leaders Columbia Gas of Ohio and Columbus C.E.O. Magazine and Patrons Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, Schneider Downs, Sophisticated Systems, Steptoe & Johnson, and Agil IT. Additional support is provided by Columbus Chamber Partners Anthem and CompManagement, Inc., with media promotion provided by Bartha Audio Visual, 99.7 the Rock, Classic Hits 103.9, and WMNI AM.

The Columbus Chamber, with nearly 2,500 area businesses and organizations, leads and supports economic growth and development for the Greater Columbus community.

Website: http://www.columbus.org

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