The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce today announced its slate of nominees elected to serve on the board of directors for the 2016-2017 program year. The slate includes those elected to serve on the Chamber's executive committee, one-year terms which will end in June 2017 and three-year terms which will end in 2019. Also announced today was the incoming Chairman-Elect, Margaret (Meg) Meister, shareholder with Modrall Sperling.

FRENCH Family President and CEO Tom Antram, who has served on the Chamber's Board of Directors for several years, will lead the organization as Chairman of the Board beginning July 1, 2016. Antram is a native New Mexican, born and raised in Alamogordo. In 1990 he moved to Albuquerque to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of New Mexico. Antram began his career in funeral service at FRENCH in 1993 and since then, he has had the opportunity to work in nearly every area within the company, from cleaning the building to his current role as President and CEO (PHOTO attached).

"The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce is one of the most effective and influential advocates for business in the state of New Mexico," said Tom Antram, incoming Chairman of the Board. "We're constantly assessing the business environment and responding to important issues that arise. We're engaged, informed, and always working to create a city and state where our businesses can be successful. It will be my privilege to lead the board of directors of such an impactful organization and I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity."

Margaret (Meg) Meister was elected to serve as Chairman-elect for FY17 and will serve as the board chair in FY18. Meister is a shareholder with Modrall Sperling and has actively worked to build and support our community's economic efforts for the past 25 years. Working mostly behind the scenes, she has put together major commercial transactions with an emphasis on real estate and energy, both traditional and renewable. Most recently, Meister served as Vice Chair for Membership of the Chamber. She is a past President of Golden Apple foundation of New Mexico and also finds time to do pro bono work for St. Martin's and other non-profits in the Albuquerque area. (PHOTO attached.)

"Albuquerque is rich with histories and traditions that create this wonderful, multicultural place we love," said Meister. "The Chamber of Commerce has been integral to the city's growth since 1917. I look forward to working with Chamber members who share the vision of safe neighborhoods, thriving businesses, great schools, and enjoying life in one of America's most vibrant cities."

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR FY17
Terms will run from July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017

  • Chairman of the Board, Tom Antram, FRENCH Family of Companies
  • Chairman-Elect, Meg Meister, Modrall Sperling
  • Immediate Past Chair, Liz Shipley, Intel Corporation
  • President and CEO, Terri Cole, CCE, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
  • Treasurer, Fred Winter, KPMG LLP
  • Vice Chair, Cindy McGill, McGill Executive Consulting
  • Vice Chair, Sherman McCorkle, Sandia Science and Technology Park Development Corporation
  • Vice Chair, Peter Lorenz, UniRac
  • Education Chair, Rick Alvidrez,
  • Public Safety Chair, Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM
  • Downtown Development Chair, Norm Becker, New Mexico Mutual Group
  • At-large member, Paul Silverman, Geltmore LLC
  • At-large member, Dale Dekker, Dekker, Perich, Sabatini
  • At-large member, Del Esparza, Esparza
  • At-large member, Carlo Lucero, Sparkle Maintenance

The Chamber's existing board also nominated the following individuals to three-year terms which begin July 1, 2016 and end June 30, 2019:

  • Todd Sandoval, Sandia Office Supply
  • Paul Di Paola, US Bank
  • Jim Hakeem, NAI Maestas and Ward
  • Rick Marquardt, Jaynes Corporation
  • Greg Leyendecker, New Mexico Bank and Trust
  • Doug Majewski, The Hartman + Majewski Design Group
  • David Seely, Kirtland Federal Credit Union
  • Pat Vincent-Collawn, PNM
  • Ryan Shell, NM Gas
  • Peter Lorenz, UniRac
  • Cindy McGill, McGill Executive Consulting
  • Cheryl Willman, UNM Cancer Center
  • Tom Jenkins, CBRE
  • Georgie Ortiz, Clifton Larson Allen
  • Lisa Farrell, Presbyterian Healthcare Services

The following were elected today to one-year terms which begin July 1, 2016 and end June 30, 2017:

  • Rick Alvidrez, Miller Stratvert PA
  • Jeff Apodaca, Entravision Television
  • Norm Becker, New Mexico Mutual Group
  • Tom Briones, Briones Business Law
  • Robin Brule, Nusenda Credit Union
  • Morris Chavez, Saucedo Chavez, P.C
  • Debbie Johnson, Central New Mexico Community College
  • Bill Miera, Fiore Industries
  • Joanie Griffin, Griffin and Associates
  • Bob Rubin, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
  • Brian Rule, Blake's Lotaburger
  • Del Archuleta, Molzen-Corbin
  • Jay Rosenblum, Sutin, Thayer & Browne
  • Kurt Shipley, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM
  • Jonathan Priest, Fidelitone
  • Mike Kivitz, Adelante

About the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce mission is to make our community a place where businesses can grow and prosper, where people want to raise their families and where tourists want to visit. As the voice of business since 1917, we envision New Mexicans living in safe neighborhoods, working in rewarding careers at thriving businesses, while their children attend great schools, and enjoy their leisure time in one of the most beautiful regions on Earth. More information about the Chamber is accessible online at www.abqchamber.com.

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