Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for a great way to get involved in your community? Commerce Lexington Inc. offers wonderful opportunities for you or your company to get involved and serve on various planning committees or assist with the formation of the organization’s public policy statements. Commerce Lexington’s success depends on the many volunteers that participate in the variety of events, programs, and services that are presented each year – from our Ambassador Program to the Winner’s Circle resource development program. Volunteers like you are absolutely necessary for Commerce Lexington and the community to achieve its long-term goals. All of Commerce Lexington’s volunteer choices not only provide you with great networking opportunities, but also your company with wonderful visibility within the community.

Ambassador Spotlight (May 2012)
Jim McGary, Mass Mutual Financial Group

This month's Ambassador Spotlight is Jim McGary, a financial services professional with Mass Mutual Financial Group. Jim said he really likes working for Mass Mutual, because of the fact that it is a mutual company. "This means we don't have to choose whom we serve between stockholders and clients," added McGary. "Our participating policy holders are our owners. They participate in dividends and never take a back seat to short term financial pressures. I firmly believe this is why we, financially, are still very solid and strong even in a very challenged economy."

Jim was attracted to the industry for a couple of reasons. He said, "First of all, the products and services are important to everyone. We all hope and plan to retire at some point, and careful planning is necessary to retire on our own terms. In addition to executing a sound financial plan, you need to recognize the risks that everyone faces and have a plan to address those risks. These are not goals that should be in competition with one another, but should work together as part of a cohesive plan."

"Secondly, after working in corporate environments for 15-plus years, I decided I was not going to move myself and my family anymore and that I was not going to cross my fingers and hope while mergers were being discussed, downsizing options were being reviewed, and strategic changes were being considered. I just wanted to have more control of my future and my family's future. To have this sort of control and help people impact their own future and their family's future is an exciting opportunity."

A Lexington native, McGary graduated from Henry Clay High School and then went to Centre College. He moved away in 1991 and recently returned after 14 moves. "This is home, and this is where I will remain," he said. "I thought the chamber of commerce might help me reacclimate to this market. It has done that and much more. The networking has been very good, but the other programs that that Commerce Lexington offers are even better."

Contact Jim McGary at Mass Mutual at (859) 223-4141 (ext. 324) or by e-mail at jmcgary@finsvcs.com.

Ambassador Spotlight (April 2012)
Sue Miller, Al Torstrick Insurance Agency

Sue Miller is a commercial lines producer with Al Torstrick Insurance Agency. She is constantly calling on businesses to talk about their insurance needs. She said, "I travel most of Central Kentucky, so the days are never boring."

A Lawrenceburg native, Sue relocated back to the Bluegrass from Western Kentucky in the mid-1980's.

"Commerce Lexington Inc. has been great for me personally, because I have met people I might not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise," said Miller. At Commerce Lexington events, members of the Ambassador committee not only meet with new businesses, but also come in contact with well established businesses in the area.

"As an Ambassador, I call on several businesses on a monthly basis," she added. "Some of them are new to the area and some are not, but it is great to be able to discuss the many advantages of Commerce Lexington membership with them and encourage them to be active in the organization."

Contact Sue Miller at (859) 233-1461 or smiller@altorstrick.com.

Ambassador Spotlight (March 2012)
Dell Link, Unified Technologies

"I have worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 25 years now, and I love it because it changes so rapidly. I have been with Unified Technologies for a little over six months and I was attracted to the company because of the tremendous opportunity that exists to help companies connect more seamlessly and easily. Everyone has a mobile device today and many of us do not truly just work from a desk any longer. Being able to do business from anywhere through instant messaging, phone, or even video and audio conferencing is essential, which is what I get to help companies do everyday. Our company has grown more than 200% in the last year, which exemplifies our expertise in what we do and the need for these types of services."

Dell enjoys sitting down with a company to understand their business processes. She said, "I look at how their employees are currently communicating, and how they need to be communicating to be more effective. I then put together a comprehensive plan that not only integrates their voice and data needs, but improves their internal and customer service, and often even saves them money."

Dell is a Kentucky native, and has lived in Lexington since 1971. "What I love about Lexington is the ease of doing business. Our city is so supportive of entrepreneurial companies and thus, it is a great place to start and grow a business."

She concluded, "I have always enjoyed being involved in my community, especially when it comes to business organizations. It has been an honor for me to be an Ambassador as I have the opportunity to meet so many people that I may not otherwise come across. Many of the business acquaintances that I have met as an Ambassador have also become great friends."

Contact Dell Link at Unified Technologies at (859) 899-3314 or by e-mail at dlink@unified-team.com.

Ambassador Spotlight (February 2012)
Riki Whitlock, Community Trust Bank

Riki Whitlock has been in banking since 1998 and took a small break in 2008 when she joined a small local non-profit. "That is where I came across an old co-worker that suggested I join her at Community Trust. I’ve been here since July 2010 and it’s been no turning back since. I am Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of the Leestown Road location."

She said, "As Branch Manager of Community Trust Bank, I have the honor of telling the great story of the largest privately-owned bank in Kentucky that is also led by a woman, Jean Hale. We operate on the community bank model that puts our relationships with customers first. My main focus is to expand relationships, get new business and provide top quality service."

A Lexington native and lifelong resident, Whitlock has seen the changes our city has gone through. "As a young adult, it’s exciting to see the new happenings develop in our downtown area. Overall, I’ve chosen to stay in Lexington because it’s a great place for my husband and me to raise our family."

In her first year as a Commerce Lexington Ambassador, Riki is looking forward to the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting and influential people our community has to offer. "Commerce Lexington has a great story to tell, and I’m honored to help them share their story," she added. "I love being in the community meeting new people, and the Ambassador program is the perfect outlet to achieve maximum networking. The Ambassador Program will give me the chance to connect business owners to Commerce Lexington, as well as Community Trust Bank.

Contact Riki Whitlock at (859) 258-2659 or whitlori@ctbi.com.