Topeka, KS, March 21, 2017– Backed by GO Topeka and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Included aims to be the authority on diversity and inclusion within businesses and organizations throughout the region. Each of the participating organizations has made the commitment to improve and grow their diversity and inclusion initiatives to increase awareness in their own organizations as well as the overall community. The Included committee is currently made up of representatives from Advisors Excel, Alorica, Bartlett & West, Big Heart Pet Brands, Express Employment Professionals, FHLBank Topeka, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Mar’s Chocolate, OneGas, Payless ShoeSource, SE2, Security Benefit, Topeka Public Schools, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Washburn… Read More
Continue ReadingGreater Topeka Chamber of Commerce’s Military Relations Council Announces First Luncheon of 2017
Topeka, KS, January 27, 2017– After hosting a sold-out inaugural luncheon in October of 2016, the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce’s Military Relations Council is privileged to announce its first quarterly luncheon of 2017. The MRC’s mission is to raise awareness and appreciation between our military and civilian sectors so that Topeka will truly be a Community which values its military installations and servicemen and women, active and veteran, as integral parts of our local economy and culture. The public is invited to join the Chamber and the MRC on February 8 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, Sunflower Ballroom. The council will recognize the… Read More
Continue ReadingForge Selects New Chair-Elect
Contact: Gabriel O’Shea, 785.221.9240 Topeka, Kan., Jan. 5, 2o17: Forge, Topeka’s young professional’s organization, voted Ty Hysten as the 2017 chair-elect during their December Leadership Team Meeting. Hysten works as employee benefit consultant at Hysten Financial L.L.C. and holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Washburn University. He is a licensed insurance agent in the states of Kansas and Missouri for accident, health and life, as well as certified in long-term care insurance. Hysten is a United States Army veteran having served in both the Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom conflicts. He has been involved in the young professional’s organization since 2013. “Forge, to me means… Read More
Continue Reading2017 Leadership Greater Topeka Class Announced
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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