Volunteer Opportunities

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Are you looking for a great way to get involved in your community? Commerce Lexington Inc. offers wonderful opportunities for you or your company to get involved and serve on various planning committees or assist with the formation of the organization’s public policy statements. Commerce Lexington’s success depends on the many volunteers that participate in the variety of events, programs, and services that are presented each year – from our Ambassador Program to the Winner’s Circle resource development program. Volunteers like you are absolutely necessary for Commerce Lexington and the community to achieve its long-term goals. All of Commerce Lexington’s volunteer choices not only provide you with great networking opportunities, but also your company with wonderful visibility within the community.

Ambassador Spotlight (June 2013): Larry Prinssen, Quality Construction Company

This month's Ambassador Spotlight is Lawrence (Larry) Prinssen, who is an agent for Quality Construction,Company. Quality Construction was started in 2004 by David Banks and has been growing every year. In the last eight months alone, Quality has more than doubled its workforce from ten employees to 20-plus employees. Last year, it opened the largest design showroom in Central Kentucky (over 6,000 square feet) and formed relationships with a number of prominent construction suppliers.

Although it is a full service construction company, a large portion of the work Quality Construction does is kitchen and bath remodels. Prinssen said, "I started working with David and his company after the fabulous work he did on my house. I was so pleased with the finished product, but even more pleased with the care his workers took while in my house. They cleaned up every night before they left, never leaving a mess or tools laying around."

Now in his second year as a Commerce Lexington Inc. Ambassador, Prinssen also volunteers for Commerce Lexington's Winner's Circle program and is active in the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Patty, and own SPS, LLC, a sales company, and they are also the Kentucky Agents for Quality Construction and Meridian Star Merchant Services, an electronic funds transfer company (think credit cards).

He has found great value in participating in chambers of commerce. He said, "In my business, networking is the best way to find new customers and being an Ambassador is the best way to network within the chamber."

Working for IBM eventually brought him to Kentucky, where he was part of the transition to Lexmark in 1990. In 1999, he joined PowerCart, Ltd., and then in 2004, he started an electronics company called Knight-ED, LLC with Mark Knight. After being retired for a short time, his wife decided that his handyman efforts were not helpful, and she suggested that he go back to work.

To find our more about Quality Construction Company, contact Larry Prinssen at larrymsms@gmail.com.

Ambassador Spotlight (May 2013): Allison Case, LM Communications Radio Group

This month's Ambassador Spotlight is Allison Case, who began working at LM Communications last August, after spending a year living in Myrtle Beach. She has a minor in mass communications, so working in the radio and media industry is an ideal area for her. She said, “Meeting new people and learning about businesses in Lexington are my favorite things about my job.”

Some of her roles and responsibilities include seeing current clients on a regular basis to maintain a strong relationship, prospecting on a daily basis, preparing proposals and campaigns, writing/voicing radio commercials, and staying organized.

"Commerce Lexington has been a great way to meet new people in Lexington," she said. "It allows me to network with others in a fun and exciting way. Being part of Commerce Lexington helps me to learn about other businesses in the community and expand my book of business."

A native of Lexington and graduate of Western Kentucky University, she decided that Lexington was where she wanted to live and begin her career. "I have enjoyed meeting and getting to know the other ambassadors so much. It’s a great group of people that are all willing to help each other."

Contact Allison at 859-233-1515, ext. 516, or at allison.case@lmcomm.com.

Ambassador Spotlight (April 2013): Amy Sellin, Red River Gorge Zipline Tours

This month's Ambassador Spotlight feature is Amy Sellin, Marketing Director for Red River Gorge Zipline Tours in Campton, Kentucky. The Red River Gorge Zipline is a five-line tour consisting of a three-line canopy tour and two lines that take zippers across Cowan Fork Gorge. The fourth line is nearly 2,000 feet long and the fifth is nearly 350 feet high.

During a trip to Hawaii last year, her cousin signed the pair up for a ziplining trip. She said, "I loved it! When I returned to Kentucky I searched for a similar adventure and found Red River Gorge Zipline. Fortuitously, they happened to be looking for a marketing director."

Amy manages all of the zipline's marketing efforts and the office staff, which most recently became responsible for the property's 16-room lodge and conference center on property which hosts corporate events, weddings, family reunions, and many other gatherings. There will also be a restaurant called the Mountain Grill Cafe, which will be opening soon.

Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Amy lived in Texas and California until her father retired from the Navy, and her family settled in Lexington, which is home for her mother’s family. Amy said she had intended to leave Lexington as soon as she turned 18, but she said, “After getting to know the area and the culture, I have fallen in love with Lexington.”

“As an ambassador, I have the opportunity to talk to many business leaders," added Sellin. "I have had the opportunity to speak with long time members that did not realize Commerce Lexington had so many events and opportunities available to them. Commerce Lexington is a great resource for small businesses. It provides not only great networking opportunities, but exceptional educational outlets as well. I love attending the Business Resource Round Tables and the Business Links."

Contact Amy Sellin at Red River Gorge Zipline Tours at (606) 668-6222 or find out more on-line at www.redrivergorgezipline.com.

Ambassador Spotlight (March 2013): Ashley Moore Anderson, UK Gatton College of Business & Economics

This month's Ambassador Spotlight is Ashley Moore Anderson, the Assistant Director for Employer Relations for the Graham Office of Career Management with the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College with a double major in Communications and Media Studies and Political Science, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kentucky’s Martin School of Public Policy and Public Administration and is currently working to obtain a Master’s Degree in Adult and Higher Education with a concentration in Communications from Morehead State University.

Ashley said, "I love having the opportunity to provide career coaching services to students in helping them set goals and plans to get them connected with internships and full-time job opportunities as they begin their careers. It’s always very satisfying to help a stellar student who is incredibly driven and passionate about starting their career get connected with the right company and to have them come back and express appreciation for my help and share their successes."

Working with students is fun, because I share their passion for following their dreams and pursuing their goals and living a life they love," she added. "I also love working with employers to identify needs within their organizations and help provide outreach opportunities for recruitment of employees, as well as events for companies to gain branding exposure and provide information on the reasons their company is a great place to work."

She added, "I have loved serving as an Ambassador and in other roles in the community, because it gives me an opportunity to meet all kinds of new friends. I really enjoy learning about the professional and personal journeys of different people and have been able to have some amazing conversations and make some excellent contacts around the community."

Contact Ashley at (859) 257-5348 or by e-mail at ashley.anderson@uky.edu.

Ambassador Spotlight (February 2013)
Brandi Howard, Manpower of Central Kentucky

Manpower is a full service staffing agency that specializes in Professional, Administrative, and Industrial staffing. It has been in business for over 60 years. This month's Ambassador Spotlight person, Brandi Howard, has been a part of Manpower since May 2012, working as a business development specialist.

"As my first full-time job out of college, I was attracted to Manpower because it offered everything I was looking for in a career," said Bandi. "It gave me the opportunity to work in a professional environment, be active in the community, continue to develop my leadership skills, and have a positive impact on the lives of others. My main focus is to expand relationships, get new business and provide individualized business solutions for our clients."

A Pikeville native and recent University of Kentucky graduate, Brandi said, "I believe in community involvement. Volunteering and becoming involved in Commerce Lexington provides a venue for me to serve our community."

"Although this is my first opportunity to serve as an Ambassador, it will allow me to not only meet local employers, but to learn who they are, what they do, and what their vision is for the future." Contact Brandi at (859) 268-1331 or visit the Manpower office at 162 Todds Road, Suite 280, in Lexington.

Mark Wiemer Named 2012 Ambassador of the Year

Mark Wiemer is a banking center manager for Republic Bank & Trust Company. "As a Banking Center Manager for Republic Bank, I have the privilege of working with the great people of Lexington to help them achieve their financial goals," said Wiemer. "Republic Bank is a great community partner and is dedicated to giving back to the communities in which it serves." Wiemer believes this is a great time to be living in Lexington. He said, "There is an air of excitement that is creating a feeling of optimism and confidence. I feel fortunate to be a part of a community that is thriving, in light of economic issues that so many other communities are confronting. We, as a community, are doing things the right way. Government, education and business leaders are engaged in a common goal to make Lexington a desired destination. This is why I am so excited to continue my work as an Ambassador with Commerce Lexington," added Wiemer. I get to meet, monthly, with business owners and hear of their optimistic attitude, not only for themselves and their businesses, but also for the city and region." Contact Mark Wiemer at (859) 264-1347 or by e-mail at MWiemer@republicbank.com.