The Chamber has sought since its founding to create and maintain a community
that is attractive and prosperous to current and future business ventures. Through
our diligent efforts to build and facilitate economic success, we strive to meet
the ever-changing needs of our diverse business community. A key measure of our
success is being able to understand those needs and to attract business leaders
whose energy and ideas shape and inspire our messages and programs. If you want
to expand your opportunities for success, join the Clay County Chamber of Commerce.
Ron Coleman
2009/10 Chair, Clay County Chamber Board of Directors
Baronco Management Consultants, Inc.
“I've been a Member of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce for almost exactly
one year. I have to say it was the best marketing decision I made all year. I met
some amazing people and participated in some great events, and almost won a motorcycle!
It has really helped me grow, not just in the business sense but also personally.
When I first joined I could barely introduce myself, and although not quite ready
for speeches I have definitely built up my confidence! I have learned how to network
and have built some very solid relationships. I'm very proud to be a part of the
Chamber and will continue to maintain membership until they kick me out! “
Olivia Burkhalter Gonzalez - 2009
Director of Sales and Marketing/Social Media
Executive Food Service/ Catering and Events
“Chamber membership gives me the chance to connect with others in building a
strong sense of community. Membership also gives me the privilege to represent the
employees of Orange Park Medical Center who are committed to delivering high-quality,
customer- focused and cost effective healthcare to our community. Finally, chamber
membership has given Orange Park Medical Center the opportunity to sponsor the Business
Excellence awards, which recognize businesses that serve as an inspiration to all
members.”
Thomas Pentz
CEO, Orange Park Medical Center
“Attending chamber meetings gives me the opportunity to put out the Bug Out name
into the business community. I’m able to network with other business professionals,
gain a few leads and close a few sales. I get a since of community involvement that
I don’t get at other networking functions I have attended in the past. I attend
both North and Southeast business council meetings each month. It has improved my
bottom line and keeps me informed with county changes. And the lunches aren’t half
bad.”
Matt Harvey,
Bug Out Service, Inc.
“The Clay County Chamber offers such a supportive and nurturing environment for
businesses large and small. There’s no end to the amount of resources that Chamber
member can tap into to help their business succeed.”
Theresa Smith
2008/09 Chair, Clay County Chamber Board of Directors
Jacksonville Jaguars
“The Chamber offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for nonprofits such as the Early
Learning Coalition of Clay, Nassau, Baker and Bradford Counties. This is the key
place to connect leaders in our community to the work we do on behalf of children
and their families. Business leaders who learn about the importance of getting children
off to a good start support quality early learning opportunities. Our membership
in the Chamber helps us engage support and future board members for our coalition.
Our membership in the Chamber is vital to our community outreach and awareness effort.”
Steve Mountain
Executive Director
Early Learning Coalition of Clay, Nassau, Baker & Bradford Counties
“Simultaneously upon opening our office doors in July, 2008, we joined our local
Clay Chamber of Commerce. As an active member, we have been able to immediately
jumpstart our business by networking with other business leaders in the area. Due
to the unique service we offer, we needed a way to promote our business quickly
in the area and the Chamber has been an excellent outlet for this. Our commercial
construction business uses our certifications to combine metal, modular and conventional
construction to take a building project from infancy to completion for a total turnkey
operation, considerably reducing construction time and costs. Our Chamber associations
have assisted us in getting this information out, because we heartedly believe the
statement, “If they don’t know you’re there, they can’t use your service. We are
looking forward to a business enriched future for our company, along with a bright
economic outlook for the county by working with the Chamber through our various
committee opportunities and community activities. Our business definitely continues
to grow as a result of our involvement with the Clay County Chamber.”
Keith R. David
President , Keith David Commercial Group
“I Am The Chamber, because I am a representative of the business community in
Clay County. I am a local professional entrepreneur of Health Information Management.
My company assists medical providers, outpatient, and inpatient facilities in Orange
Park, Jacksonville, and surrounding cities with the implementation of the electronic
health record, medical billing, and medical practice management. The Chamber has
afforded me great networking exposure. Professionalism, character, and vision is
notably genuine at the Chamber. Members are personable, pillars in the community,
and open to encouraging new businesses. The Clay Chamber officially recognized my
company, A ZShakespeare Enterprise, as a serious business in Orange Park with a
welcoming ceremony and plaque, in addition to providing a business room for meetings
when I needed the extra space. I am grateful to the executives, chairman, banking
staff at Atlantic Coast, my mentor, the Clay Chamber support staff, and colleagues
who are active Chamber members for their leadership and friendship. Yes, I Am The
Chamber, here to invest, support, and positively contribute to the town of Orange
Park and surrounding communities.”
Zarsa P. Shakespeare, President
A ZShakespeare Enterprise, Inc
“I've been a Chamber member for over 5 years now. It has consistently been THE
best marketing investment for our business. If I had to choose to ONLY use one marketing
vehicle, it would be my Clay County Camber Membership. They do so much to help businesses
like mine succeed. Their people are second to none and they always go out of their
way to support their members. The next best reason to become a member, are the members
themselves. You will NEVER find a better group of people to network with and know
than the fine businesses here in Clay County. We're talking "salt of the earth"
people that also go out of their way to help other members out. My advice is simple:
Stick your toe in the water & become a member. Then join some committees and attend
some networking events and see for yourself! Your satisfaction is guaranteed - so
you have nothing to risk and everything to gain!”
Mark Carillon
Web904.com
“The Sleep Inn & Suites Fleming Island is a year old and almost as soon as we
opened we immediately joined the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has
benefited the hotel through their networking opportunities where we get to meet
and mingle with business leaders, through sponsorship opportunities to get our name
out there in the community, and attending the luncheons and hearing informative
guest speakers talk on variety of things. The Sleep Inn & Suites Fleming Island
has gotten very involved by sponsoring a luncheon, a prospect event next month,
and donating rooms. I also sit on the board of the Southeast Council and I attend
almost every council luncheon, After-Hours Networking, and Chamber Connections.
The only way to reap benefits from the Chamber of Commerce is to GET INVOLVED. You
get back what you give.”
Susan Soltys
General Manager
Sleep Inn & Suites Fleming Island