Advocacy Committee
The Chamber's Advocacy Committee promotes policies conducive to a strong business climate; plans programs and briefings on public policy; updates and interprets the local and Legislative Agendas; and recommends policy positions to the Chamber Board of Directors.
The Committee also incorporates various "Task Forces" dedicated to researching and recommending positions on issues related to their particular area of focus. These include: Education; Environment; Growth; Healthcare; Quality of Life; and Technology.
Committee meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 8:30am at the Chamber.
Task Forces
Technology: Tony Delgado, Peter Elliott, David Robinson
Growth: Maria Mahoney, Julie Townsend, Mike Hickman
Education: Sandra Sheets, Trista Otto, Wendy Dodge
Healthcare: Maggie Mariucci, Michael Spake, Valeria Jorn
Environment: Will Link
Quality of Life: Ashley Troutman, Craig Hill, William Roll
Committee Contacts
Staff: Cory Skeates, Chamber President cskeates@lakelandchamber.com
Chair: Shane Kunze, shane.kunze@publix.com
Opposition to “Strong Mayor”
2018 Legislative Matrix
Business Resource Center Committee
This committee is responsible for advancing the strategy to create a new “Business Resource Center,” a shared facility that will foster a collaborative approach through partnerships, with other area resource partners to help small businesses grow their business. The business community will have access to seminars and education on topics/issues that impact small businesses. This committee will identify the site, recommend the design and then build/renovate the facility. They will also be responsible to complete a capital campaign to raise the resources needed to cover the costs of this facility.
Subcommittees
Capital Campaign: TBA
Site Selection: Alice Hunt (Chair)
Programming: Cory Skeates (Co-Chair) Cedric Joseph (Co-Chair)
Staff: Cory Skeates, Chamber President cskeates@lakelandchamber.com
Darla Sechrest-Petteway, Chief Development Officer dsechrest@lakelandchamber.com
Chair: Matt Clark, Broadway Real Estate Services mclark@resbroadway.com