ELMHURST CHAMBER HONORS COMPUTER EXPERT
AS AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
ELMHURST, Ill., January 5, 2007 — Local businessman Tom Coffey will be recognized as Ambassador of the Year for 2006 at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 88th Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon at the Waterford Banquet and Conference Center at the Quality Inn (933 South Riverside Drive) on Wednesday, January 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The award is presented annually to a member of the green-coated Chamber Ambassadors for his/her outstanding service.
Coffey, Owner of Electronic Specialty Design (549 East Granville Avenue, Roselle), a Chamber member since 1993, has served as an Ambassador and Team Captain since 2000 and 2003, respectively. A former member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, he served consecutive elected three-year terms from 1995 through 2000.
“Having left corporate life to begin my own business in Elmhurst, it quickly became velar to me that I could now truly participate in my community and its life with the local businesspeople by joining the Elmhurst Chamber,” said Coffey. “Participation in the Chamber has always been very important and rewarding to me.
“It is a great honor to be chosen Ambassador of the Year, and I am so very thankful,” Coffey added. “I certainly enjoy working with our Ambassadors and getting to know our members at Chamber events. I look forward to working with the Chamber for many years to come.”
“Tom models what it means to be a Chamber Ambassador,” said John Quigley, Chamber President and CEO. “His attendance at new member ribbon-cuttings and other Chamber events is exemplary, and he faithfully wears his green jacket with pride.”
In 2000, Coffey became the inaugural recipient of the “Tee Off for Toche” Good Works Award honoring the late A.J. “Toche” Terrones, who passed away the day prior to the 1999 Golf Outing after a decade of service as Chamber President. A non-golfer, he volunteers by working the registration table and a contest hole, and selling raffle tickets.
A computer networking guru, Coffey designed a proprietory software program that the Chamber utilized to invoice members for their annual due payments in the late 1990s, prior to the monthly mail merge system in use since 2000. He also served as an expert consultant when the Chamber switched over from film to digital photography.
Coffey and his wife, Carol, are always among the most festively-attired guests at the annual Ambassador Holiday Party hosted by Betsy Hanisch.
Former residents of Elmhurst, the Coffeys moved to Roselle in 2005.
Ambassadors represent the Chamber at numerous member business functions, including ribbon cuttings (working under a captain in three teams of 10), grand openings, anniversaries and other celebrations and special events. The group is comprised mostly of current and former members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
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.