CONTACT: Kristen Brunkow, co-facilitator, Leadership Greater Topeka, 785.231.6006 TOPEKA, Kan., Dec. 14, 2016: Thirty-six individuals from the Greater Topeka area have been selected to participate in the 2017 Leadership Greater Topeka program. Leadership Greater Topeka, a program of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce since 1984, identifies outstanding potential leaders from various components of the community and teaches participants how to lead in a community setting. There are over 1,000 alumni of the program, 70% of who still live and contribute to the Shawnee County community. Class members will attend a retreat and eight-day-long sessions between January 12 and May 5 to learn about challenges facing the City of… Read More
Continue ReadingMedia Release: Gabriel O’Shea Joins Fast Forward as Executive Director
Gabriel O’Shea, a participant in the trio intern program at Advisors Excel, has been named executive director of Fast Forward, the community’s young professionals organization. Fast Forward’s primary mission is to attract and retain young talent and to develop Topeka’s next generation of leaders. Matt Pivarnik, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and GO Topeka, said Fast Forward, formed in 1999, is one of the oldest organizations for young professionals in the country and will be a key driver in helping grow the community. “The Fast Forward executive director position will be pivotal in the community’s efforts to attract and retain young talent,” he… Read More
Continue ReadingMedia Release: Chamber and GO Topeka Announce New President and CEO
Brent Boles, chairman of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, and Scott Griffith, chairman of GO Topeka, announced today that Matthew (Matt) Pivarnik, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, will serve as president and chief executive officer of the Chamber and GO Topeka, effective Jan. 11, 2016. Boles said the search committee worked with Waverly Partners, LLC, a firm specializing in finding chamber executives across the country. “The extensive search process also included input and guidance from elected officials as well as business leaders in our community,” Boles said. “Chamber staff also had an opportunity to meet candidates and provide feedback. We interviewed several… Read More
Continue ReadingMedia Release: Vice President Membership Development Hired
Curtis Sneden, interim president and chief executive officer, recently announced the addition of Ashley Charest to the Chamber staff as vice president of membership development. “Ashley’s extensive chamber and client relationship experience will serve our members well,” he said. “We look forward to her expertise, enthusiasm and ideas and are eager to introduce her to our members.” Charest graduated from Washburn University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree (magna cum laude) in mass media with an emphasis in public relations and received her MBA from Washburn University in 2006. She gained her Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Washburn University in 2009 and also earned her Certified Association Executive (CAE) in… Read More
Continue ReadingMedia Release: Ichabods Around Town
The Chamber’s Ichabod is up and looking sharp in a mosaic jacket, thanks to a creative, mutual effort with artist Patricia Kahn, who created the distinctive “In the Black” Ichabod. Her depiction is a result of an enduring collaboration between the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and Washburn University. The character represents the university’s business school graduates, who strongly affiliate with the Chamber and its member employers. White lettering on his pants have the words “pride, prosperity and progress” in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Mandarin Chinese. He clutches a large book titled “Good to Great” and his glasses reflect the broad vision of the Topeka cityscape as he steps… Read More
Continue ReadingMedia Release: Topeka Chamber/GO Topeka Changes
The boards of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and GO Topeka have announced changes that the respective chairs of these organizations said will improve efficiency and effectiveness in growing the community. Brent Boles, chair of the Chamber board and president of Schendel Lawn & Landscape, and Scott Griffith, chair of the GO Topeka board and president of INTRUST Bank, said the boards approved the following changes recently: Public posting of GO Topeka board meeting minutes on its website Separate payrolls for the two organizations, effective Jan. 1, 2016 A revised purchased services agreement underway estimated to decrease GO Topeka’s costs for Chamber services by approximately $50,000 and the appointment… Read More
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