by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce is out to score on the economy in 2009.
That was part of the message in the Chamber’s annual meeting Thursday at the Florida Theatre, a Super Bowl and TV studio analysis themed event pitting the organization against a down economy.
It was a passing of the torch for two of the organization’s “quarterbacks” as Mike Hightower began his year as Chamber chair.
“It is still an overwhelming feeling,” said Hightower. “It’s hard to verbalize just how excited I am and how very special it is to be following in the footsteps of the Chamber’s great leaders.”
Hightower has been with the organization for 28 years and is the first non-president or non-CEO of a business to chair the organization.
“I can’t express enough gratitude to everyone around me who has helped me along the way,” said Hightower. “I truly am the product of a great team effort and I’m going to continue to stress working as a team.”
Ron Autrey, 2008 Chamber chair and “quarterback,” said the annual meeting is always a special time, as it’s one of the only times during the year Chamber members and business owners have a chance to get together. Around 700 people attended the annual event Thursday.
For Autrey, it was also a time to reflect on his work and time as chair in 2008.
“We boosted our efforts in the global trade markets,” said Autrey. “I’m proud of everyone’s work in such difficult times and I’m happy for all the many friendships I’ve made in the past year.”
Chamber President Wally Lee said he was “extremely happy” with Autrey’s leadership and how he left things for Hightower in 2009.
“I’m enthusiastic,” said Lee. “It’s a tough economy but the Chamber has the leaders and the members to tackle it head on.”
Other notes from the annual Chamber meeting:
• Bonnie Arnold won the 2009 “Small Businessperson of the Year” award. Arnold is a member of the Chamber’s Downtown Council and owner of Bonnie’s Floral Designs.
• Hightower received the gavel, a ceremonial passing of Chamber leadership, from Autrey during the ceremony. It was something the new chair was looking forward to all evening. Hightower was mentored in his early Chamber years by Ron’s father, Buck Autrey, and said the moment was “very special and felt full circle.”
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