San Luis Obispo Business
February, 2000

Cox champions prosperity with balance

On the heels of a record setting year for the Chamber and period of unprecedented economic growth for the country, the first year of the new century will be a time to pursue balance, according to Dave Cox, the Chamber's 2000 Chairman of the Board. Cox spoke of new challenges the Chamber and community will face in the coming year in front of a sell-out crowd at the Chamber's 95th Annual Dinner on Saturday, January 15. The annual gala, held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, boasted the biggest crowd ever in the history of the event.

In a speech delivered to more than 400 guests, Cox emphasized the importance of identifying common goals, working together as an organization and not taking for granted the privileges of being both business owners and operators and citizens of San Luis Obispo.

Cox reminded guests that while the country, and in turn San Luis Obispo, is enjoying a thriving economy, there are challenges on the horizon as a result of this newfound prosperity.

"We're seeing ever increasing pressures of growth, of new development, of impacts on our environment and potential threats to what we've come to describe as the ‘SLO Life'," warned Cox. Because of these challenges, Cox maintained, it will be all the more important for the Chamber to remain an active and positive force in the community's future. And, he said, doing so will take vision and balance.

"Let's see our future clearly. Let's understand that it's good business to maintain a good environment and that a clean environment requires a vibrant economy."

According to Cox, the Chamber will need to play an active role in helping varying interest groups to understand their common goals and should work to build bridges if San Luis Obispo is to continue to be a special place to live.

In addition to Cox's installation and presentation,several new officers took office at the annual dinner, Dave Juhnke of Sinsheimer Schiebelhut & Baggett as Vice-Chair, Legislative/Economic Action; Rafael Alvarez of Morris & Garritano as Vice-Chair, Membership/Operations; Lee Ferrero of Private Industry Council as Vice-Chair, Community Affairs; Jeanne Potter of Glenn Burdette Phillips & Bryson as Treasurer; Jim Buttery of Andre Morris & Buttery as Board Counsel; and Debby Nicklas of Central Coast Health Partners as Immediate Past Chairman of the Board.

The dinner program, emceed by Mike Cannon of Cannon Associates, also included the announcement of Thomas Sullivan as 1999 Citizen of the Year. Following the dinner and program, guests danced to the music of Oasis in the hotel's grand ballroom.

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