ELMHURST CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR FETES PAST CHAIR
ELMHURST, Ill., January 20, 2009 – Real Estate Agent Dare Messina, outgoing Past Chair of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Board of Directors, will receive the 2008 Chairman’s Award at the Chamber’s 90th Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon in the Presidential Room at Diplomat West Banquet Halls in Elmhurst on Wednesday, January 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In addition to her duties as Past Chair in 2008, Messina served an Interim Treasurer and Chair of the Ways and Means Committee for the past six months.
“I am extremely honored and grateful to be chosen for this award,” said Messina.
Traditionally, the annual award is given to a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors for his/her outstanding service to the Board, Chairman and President/CEO, or to a non-Director for praiseworthy contributions or performance.
Outgoing Board Chair Debra Klosterman of Integrus Lending Group (105 South York Street, Suite 200) will present the award to Messina.
“It is only fitting and makes complete sense that Dare should be the recipient of our 2008 Chairman’s Award,” said Klosterman, who is only the sixth female Board Chair in Chamber history, but the fourth female Chair since 1999.
“As Past Chair, Dare’s responsibility was to be supportive to me and help in times of crisis,” Klosterman added. “Unfortunately, we did face a critical issue this year and Dare unselfishly volunteered to finish out the year as my Treasurer and Ways and Means (Committee) Chair—a huge undertaking in addition to her responsibility as Past Chair.”
Preceding Klosterman and Messina as female Board Chairs were Virginia “Ginny” Harmon (1982) of Unique Travel Service (170 North York Street), Nancy Phillips (1988) of York State Bank, Gloria Duarte (1999) of Cafй Las Belles Artes and Cathy Bajkowski (2003) of CB Health Insurance (188 Industrial Park, Suite 226).
A Chamber member since 1997, Messina is a Real Estate Agent with L.W. Reedy Real Estate (101 North York Street) and has nearly 25 years of experience in the residential real estate market. Prior to L.W. Reedy, Messina worked at RE/Max East-West (191 South Route 83) for 20 years before joining Keller Williams Realty Results (112 South York Street).
A two-term Director (elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2005), Messina was a five-year member of the Board’s Executive Committee, including 2007 Chair. Her Executive Committee service included First Vice Chair and Chair of the Marketing Committee in 2006, Second Vice Chair and Chair of the Membership Committee in 2005, Treasurer and Chair of Ways and Means in 2004. She also served on the Membership Committee for five years (2002-05).
As a realtor, Messina has represented the Chamber with an Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 study and was a member of the College of DuPage Real Estate Advisory Committee (1998-01).
A 38-year Elmhurst resident, Messina has served on the Elmhurst Atrium Townhouse Association’s Board of Directors (including Secretary and Treasurer) since 1970, and is a member of Visitation Catholic Church and the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst (including President for 2007-08).
Messina is a Past Co-Director for United Way Campaign at United Airlines, where she worked as a flight attendant for 35 years until 2001, and a former member of the Elmhurst Jaycees.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.
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