Serving the east-metro area including: THE CHAMBER Aurora Bennett Centennial Commerce City Denver JULY/AUG 2016 NEWSLETTER A day golfing Get involved: Diversity and Inclusion Council is better than… The Diversity and Inclusion Council is people. Nita ended with a final gaining traction — and members, with thought that ‘diversity is Some say that ‘a bad day golfing more than 50 attendees at the May 13 everywhere, but inclusion is is better than a good day at work.’ meeting. intentional.’ Add a Caddyshack theme to the mix Nita Mosby Henry, Chief Human This same message carried over — and it made for a great day at this Resources and Inclusion Officer at to the June 10 meeting with guest year’s annual Leadership Aurora Golf Children’s Hospital Colorado, gave an speaker Maria Velasco, Program Tournament on June 16! inspiring presentation on inclusion in Manager for Intercultural Training The shotgun start at 8 am sent the the workplace and what that means for and Consulting at The Spring golfers rolling out to the course to businesses and their clients. She talked Institute. Velasco spoke about test their skills and to have some fun about diversity fatigue, the use of building a culturally competent in the sun. After 18 holes, the power in the workplace, and how to organization and the difference participants were treated to a build inclusive systems. Mosby Henry Nita Mosby Henry refers to Maslow’s between diversity and inclusion. burgers and brats lunch, and the explained the importance of being Hierarchy of Needs, relating it to the Velasco explained cultural awards ceremony. importance of how messages are aware that no matter who is speaking delivered, and understanding that any competence as “a set of congruent In line with the Caddyshack and what message is being spoken, it message can be received and interpreted behaviors, attitudes, and policies theme, the MCPN team received is received differently by different five different ways. [continued on page 8] Leadership Aurora gopher club covers for 1st place, and Legends of Aurora Sports Grill team got camouflage golf hats for 2nd place. 2016 AFRL honors Military Members Denise Denton with Aurora Health Access was awarded “best dressed” of the Year and recognizes WWII Veterans [continued on page 9] The Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Defense Council held its 40th annual Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon on May 13, 2016, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Hotel to honor the military serving in the Metro area. The Colorado Technical University-sponsored event includes business, professional, and community leaders, honoring 11 military members representing Denise Denton was awarded “best each of the branches of dressed,” accompanied by her (also service and their best dressed) husband, Denny O’Malley. Reserve and Guard components, as well as Presenting the AFRL 2016 winners. Back Row, left to right: Senior Airman Kevin Pedraza (USAF); Staff Sergeant Patrick Lippiatt (USA); Petty Officer Robert Thompson one civilian from the (USCG); Master Corporal David Shaefer (Canadian Forces); Sergeant Rjan Robertson (USMC); community. and Corporal Kandis Ruiz (USMC) Front Row, left to right: Staff Sergeant Frank Ells (USA); “This luncheon is our Technical Sergeant Sabrina Connally (USAF); Petty Officer Samuel Tomasik (USN); and Petty way of recognizing the Officer Rachel Graves (USN). Unable to attend and missing from the photo is Technical members of the Armed Sergeant Amee Espinoza (USAF) (Photo courtesy Brian Molitoris Photographer) Forces—Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard—throughout This year’s keynote speaker was Major General Northern Colorado including the Denver-Aurora area,” (Select) Nina Armagno, Director of Strategic Plans, said AFRL Luncheon Chair Marissa Banker with Programs, Requirements and Analysis, Headquarters Colorado Technical University. “They make such a Air Force Space Command. Gen. Armagno inspired significant contribution to our community and to our nation.” [continued on page 5] President’sLetter Pay attention to these ‘Unresolved Opportunities’ The Aurora Chamber of Commerce has spent more than a century Support: developing deep roots and trust in Kevin Hougen Adams, Arapahoe, and Denver counties. SCFD Tax President & CEO That strong foundation provides us with Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) renewal of the local sales the resources, reputation and tax to support the arts in the metro area. relationships needed to bring people Cherry Creek Schools 3A, 3B and organizations together to focus on improving lives and A $300 million dollar bond, supporting the district and over 54,000 strengthening the business community. students in the district. We have many challenges in our communities, even with a fast growing economy in Colorado, we still have what we want to call ‘Unresolved Opportunities.’ These opportunities are what we work on every day, building relationships that benefit our Oppose: business communities, to ultimately grow their active roles as a Initiative/Amendment 78 good citizens. The Aurora Chamber of Commerce is a business 2,500 set back on occupied structures/areas of special concern. association that not only creates and produces wealth in the Amendment 78 would make 90% of Colorado land UNAVAILABLE for communities we serve, but we also become involved in solving oil and gas development. 102,000 high paying jobs at risk…$1.6 billion problems and building partnerships. dollars in tax revenue to the State and Local communities at risk…over We need to accept the fact that making big things happen 30% of downtown Denver leases are to the Oil & Gas industry. requires involvement in the public policy arena. And yes, sometimes stepping up means you open The Chamber up to Initiative/Amendment 69 criticism. Communities need great champions and problem- Creates a health care payment system that provides coverage for all solvers. Cities and regions that thrive in the long-term do so Coloradans. All people would have access to affordable health care through leadership and purposeful engagement. This is the role regardless of their ability to pay. Creates $25 billion in new taxes to our board of directors and staff need to accept and embrace. fund a massive government-run health care system called The Chamber has taken the following positions that will be on ColoradoCare. No guarantee that patient care is improved, expanded the November 2016 ballot. n access or it will reduce health care costs. A new 10% payroll tax increase will be added to working families, entrepreneurs, military, veterans and seniors. ChamberBoard EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS DIRECTORS STAFF John Adams | Colorado Technical University Kevin Hougen | President and CEO CHAIR OF THE BOARD Joe Barela | Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center Ryan Simpson | The Medical Center of Aurora, Randy Berner | Adolfson & Peterson Construction Rene J. Simard | Executive Vice President HealthONE Lisa Buckley | American Automation Building Services Naomi Colwell | Director of Marketing Christy Dobson | Children’s Hospital Colorado Rachel Gruber | Director of Member Services CHAIR-ELECT Chris Fasching | Felsberg, Holt & Ullevig & VICE CHAIR-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Gian Gandalfo | Hilton Garden Inn – Denver Airport Chance Horiuchi | Director of Business Development Suzanne Pitrusu | Community Banks of Colorado Tom Henley | Xcel Energy Linda Lillyblad | Director of Finance Kristi Kleinholz | Outback Steakhouse – Abilene Beth Kline | FirstBank - Aurora Havana Tamara Mohamed | Director of Community Relations IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Rich Kolberg | Boeing Corporation Paul Rosenberg | Vice President, Membership Development & VICE CHAIR-MEMBER SERVICES Peter Lee | Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership Mitzi Schindler | Director of Communications Jason Altshuler | Westerra Credit Union Courtney Morehouse | Your Castle Real Estate Dr. Betsy Oudenhoven | Community College of Aurora TREASURER David Patterson | Falck Rocky Mountain ASSOCIATES Reneé Gullickson | Wells Fargo Bank Keith Peterson | University of Colorado Health Cheri Prochazka | Fitzsimons Federal Credit Union Kathryn Lobdell | Procurement Technical Assistance Centers SECRETARY Brittany Rodgers | Colorado Access Jeana Capel-Jones | Greater Metro Denver Matt Weber | Kaiser Permanente Louis Salazar | ConocoPhillips Healthcare Partnership Michael Sheldon | Aurora Highlands Todd Trace | Century Link . VICE CHAIR-COMMUNITY SERVICES Mario Waller | Six & Six, inc. | Newsletter Design Dale Mingilton | Adams 14 Education Foundation HONORARY DIRECTORS Col. Floyd Dunston / 140th Wing Colorado Air National Guard VICE CHAIR-PUBLIC ISSUES Barry Gore | Adams County Economic Development Dwight Taylor | Rocky Mountain Law Group, LLC The Honorable Steve Hogan | Mayor, City of Aurora Bill Holen | Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners THE CHAMBER’S Paul Suss | Suss Buick GMC MISSION Gary Wheat | Visit Aurora The mission of the Aurora Charles ''CJ'' Whelan | City of Centennial Chamber of Commerce is to give a voice to the business community and serve as an advocate for DON’T FORGET: “Every employee of a Chamber member is a member of The Chamber” its members, creating a positive business Please route this issue to your sales reps, account managers, marketing directors, HR and PR departments. You environment that can also access each month’s newsletter online at our website, www.aurorachamber.org, so you can forward encourages their growth it to every employee in your company! and long-term economic vitality. 2 A successful partnership – creating a culture