In November, our Young Professionals of Osceola County recognized eight new Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Award recipients. Each year, the YPs honor a new group of outstanding individuals under the age of 40. Candidates are nominated by their coworkers or peers before completing a detailed application. The only requirement is that they live or work in Osceola County. A selection committee comprised of past winners and community leaders then selects the honorees.
This year’s group included Osceola School District Research & Evaluation Specialist David Maddock; Valencia College’s Charminta Brown, who also owns her own business, Brown Joy LLC; Osceola County Government Affairs Director Mike Nichola; Co-owner/Executive Director of A Helping Hand Counseling Center Kira Takanen; the City of Kissimmee Events & Venues Supervisor Jozef Bladek; Carla Rivera, Legislative Aide for State Representative Kristen Arrington; Denn John Middle School Principal Michael Ballone; and Assistant State Attorney Lauryn Day.
These eight professionals and their accomplishments were celebrated at an awards reception at The Heritage Club surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, as well as members of the Young Professionals Board of Directors. Attendees enjoyed light bites, a full bar, and time for networking between awards. The Silver Spurs Club was also recognized as a champion supporter of the Young Professionals.
Be on the lookout in 2023 to nominate next year’s batch of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today!
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
The Osceola Chamber will host our 98th Annual Meeting on February 4th at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Every year at this event, attendees look forward to learning who will take home our major awards, including the Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award and the Unity Award.
The Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award is named after Linda Goodwin-Nichols of Goodwin Realty & Associates, two-time Chairman of The Osceola Chamber Board of Directors, and a stalwart of Osceola’s Business Community for over 40 years. Throughout her career, Linda has epitomized community involvement and giving back selflessly, and this award honors an individual who will carry on her legacy. Recent past winners include Kelly Trace, Gene Terrico, and Larry Walter. Click below to nominate deserving individuals for this award.
Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award Nomination Form
To recognize the importance of the Chamber’s core values of “Embracing Heritage,” “Creating Opportunity,” and “Building Unity,” and our partners who promote them, in January of 2018, Chairman Tim Finkenbinder announced the creation of an award to emphasize these values – particularly “Building Unity.” For the fourth year, The Osceola Chamber will present this award in 2023. Previous winners are Guillermo “Bill” Hansen, Tommy Tompkins, and Martin Levert. Click below to nominate deserving individuals for this award.
Nominees will receive an application to complete and winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. The top three finalists will be announced ahead of The Osceola Chamber’s Annual Meeting on February 4, 2023 and the award recipient will be revealed at the event.
Have you heard the news? The Osceola Chamber is beyond excited to share with our members and community that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded us the designation of “Accredited with 5 Stars” for our “sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.” (Their words!) This honor makes us the 9th 5-Star Accredited chamber in the state of Florida and part of only 2% of chambers nationwide.
The purpose of the U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation Program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across America. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, communications, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.
At The Osceola Chamber, we first began looking into seeking accreditation several years ago and have worked steadily to implement best practices in all areas of operation with improvements – some gradual, some overnight – over the last few years. Our accreditation journey has included everything from CPR training and building improvements to a complete re-brand and establishment of a political committee.
“Chambers of commerce that achieve an Accreditation designation are truly leaders in their industry.” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. Chamber Vice President, Federation Relations and IOM. “This rigorous review includes all aspects of a chamber’s policies, operations, and programming. When chambers of commerce earn the distinction of becoming Accredited, it is a mark of excellence for the organization, its staff, and its leadership. Accredited chambers are recognized for their ability to serve as a resource to their region’s businesses while maintaining transparent governance practices, sound financial controls, safe work environments, effective communications, and value in programming. They are commended for their continued advocacy of free enterprise, and for their commitment to serving members and their local businesses. Congratulations on this tremendous accomplishment.”
Our 2022 Chairman Kevin Crain had this to say about our accreditation news, “Only 11 other Chambers in the state of Florida are accredited – and now we are the ninth with five stars. I thank The Osceola Chamber Board of Directors for supporting this effort and our outstanding Chamber staff for their relentless pursuit of this accolade, a well-deserved recognition of President Newstreet’s leadership and our staff’s dedication to excellence. I cannot wait to celebrate with my fellow directors and Chamber members.”
Chamber President/CEO John Newstreet added, “The Chamber’s tagline states ‘Business Works Better Together,’ and it is to the credit of our members, board, Chairman, and staff that we were able to demonstrate that message to our accreditors and walk away with a distinction that puts us among the top 3% of Chambers in the United States. This result, from an extremely arduous process, validates the important and fulfilling work we collectively do every day as The Osceola Chamber. Thank you to my team, my leadership, and all of our partners, especially Chair Kevin Crain, whose vision now translates to an impressive legacy! It makes me proud to know that we do it as well as or better than every other Chamber in the country, but our work continues, and we invite each and every reputable business to join our ranks and help each other achieve greater success.”
Chairman Crain and President Newstreet will celebrate with The Osceola Chamber Board of Directors at their next board meeting on December 15, 2022 at The Osceola Chamber offices.
More on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Accreditation
Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.
The Chamber of Commerce of the United States is the world’s largest business organization. Members range from the small businesses and chambers of commerce across the country that support their communities, to the leading industry associations and global corporations that innovate and solve for the world’s challenges, to the emerging and fast-growing industries that are shaping the future. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a trusted advocate, partner, and network, helping them improve society and people’s lives.
