Our Chamber "Goodwill" Ambassadors

Ambassador of the Quarter

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it to happen, others make it happen."

- Anonymous

 Triston Wright Burrows, right, of Moore Coal Company in Bessemer, was recognized at the April 18 Chamber Luncheon as the Ambassador of the First Quarter of 2013, in front of over 200 attendees, by Hoover Chamber First Vice President Andy Peters. A former Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama 2005, Trisston has been an outstanding ambassador since becoming involved in the Hoover Chamber almost two years ago, attending almost every chamber event during the past two years. As Marketing and Public Relations Manager, she is able to get out and represent her employer, Moore Coal Company, throughout the area at Chamber events. Andy Peters is General Manager of The Wynfrey Hotel, soon to be renamed Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel.

Member involvement is an important asset to any organization, but the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce thrives on it. The activities planned by the Chamber's staff simply couldn't happen without the cooperation of many volunteers.

Among the volunteer groups assisting with Chamber activities are the Board of Directors, the Economic Development Committee, the SEC Baseball Committee, two golf tournament committees (one to assist with the Regions Charity Classic event and the other to carry out the Chamber's own tournament) and the Lila Parks Scholarship Committee.

But probably the most visible group of volunteers within the Hoover Chamber is our Ambassadors. These individuals represent the Chamber at a variety of functions, including ribbon cuttings, monthly Coffee & Contacts events, and Business After Hours events. Ambassadors also meet and greet the members, newcomers and guests who attend the monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheons.

In return, Chamber Ambassadors experience above-average networking opportunities, maximize their business and social potential and establish their presence in the business and civic realms of Hoover. They also enjoy the added benefits that hands-on involvement brings such as a sense of personal accomplishment and a feeling of ownership in the organization.The only requirements for becoming a Chamber Ambassador are membership in the Chamber and a desire to help make things happen. If you are interested in becoming a Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, contact Bill Powell at (205) 988-5672 or bill@hooverchamber.org.

For more information on the Chamber Ambassador Program, call the Chamber Office at 988-5672 or Chairman Joe Thomas with Capstone Financial Group at 444-5588. 

Ambassador are requested to send their email address, short bio and photograph.

Ambassadors can download the monthly Ambassador Score Sheet as a .pdf File.

Joe Thomas is Chairman of the Ambassadors committee and is a registered representative with Capstone Financial Group, in Hoover, Alabama. Capstone Financial Group specializes in three main areas Life Insurance, Disability Insurance and Group Benefits. Joe works with small to medium sized businesses helping them maximize their benefit dollars while focusing on the individual needs of all the employees. As a disability and benefit specialist, he is equipped to help employees understand their benefits and plan for the future. In 1997, he graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Prior to his current position he developed and wrote a medical practice management software system with a company in Birmingham. Joe is also an Eagle Scout. He is a life long native of Birmingham and enjoys working with everyday people who want an above average retirement. Joe can be reached at 444-5588 or joe@thecapstoneway.com. His website is http://www.thecapstoneway.com/.

Dr. Jerry Nesseler, My Chiropractor drjerry@my-chiropractor.net. Dr. Jerry Nesseler has been one of the most active of all Chamber Ambassadors since joining the Hoover Chamber in 2000. Dr. Jerry, as he is well known, is a living example of how Chamber involvement can help anyone grow their business. Dr. Jerry Nesseler practices in Hoover, Alabama and has treated hundreds of patients with injuries to the muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones as well as the nerves of the spine and extremities. He does work with sports, work, and auto-related accidents as well. He has been trained to identify the cause of problems and works closely with medical doctors in the area. Dr. Nesseler combines chiropractic, physical therapy, nutrition and acupuncture, and together offers healthy options to give his patients the freedom they need while staying in control of their own health care.

Andrew L. Graffeo, Registered Representative, Securities America. My objective is to service and assist each client to achieve their long-term goals. I will always strive to treat the client with respect and integrity, and keep their best interest in mind.Andy Graffeo is a Registered Representative with Securities America, Inc., an SEC registered investment firm.With over twenty-five years experience as a self-employed business owner and tax preparer, Andy has assisted many individuals and small business owners. He is a member of NATP. Andy attended UAB and completed the CFP course study. He holds several certifications including the State of Alabama Life and Health Insurance License, the Series 6 Securities License, and the Series 63 State Regulatory License. Andy is active in various civic and professional groups, including the Hoover Chamber where he serves as Ambassador. He is also active at St, Peters Catholic Church where he serves on the board of the Knights of Columbus. Andy is married to Ramona and has two grown children. He enjoys Golf and Tennis, and spends a good bit of his spare time at Smith Lake with his family.

Shannon Tyndall is Executive Director of Corporate Office Centers, located at One Chase Corporate Center, Suite 400 in Hoover, offering corporate office Suites and services. She can be reached at 403-8800.

mailto:styndall@corpoff.com
http://www.corporateofficecenters.com/

Charlie Santiago is the Director of Ticket and Retail Operations for the Birmingham Barons Baseball Team. Charlie has worked for the Barons in various capacities for 3 seasons. He is a Birmingham Native as having lived in multiple locations throughout the metro area for most of his life. He graduated from Troy University in December of 2006 with a sport management degree. You can reach Charlie at 205-988-3200 or Charlies@barons.com.
http://www.barons.com/

Amanda Smith is the Director of Marketing & Public Relations for Cahaba Valley Computer Services located on Valleydale Road. Amanda joined Cahaba Valley Computer Services to promote the company's unique IT solutions for small businesses and to enhance business development. Amanda aims to serve our community as a professional resource and volunteer with the area chambers & community organization. Cahaba Valley Computer Services has been a Hoover Area Chamber member for over 9 years. For more information about Cahaba Valley Computer Services, visit http://www.cvcsllc.com/ or contact Amanda at 205-541-7755 or amanda@cvcsllc.com

Angela Finley is the Preferred Travelers Sales Manager for The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover. She is a Birmingham native living in Hoover most of her life. Angela has worked for The Wynfrey Hotel since 2005, and has been involved with the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce since 2009, serving as a Chamber Ambassador. She resides with her husband and two children in Hoover. The Wynfrey Hotel is located at 1000 Riverchase Galleria, just off I-459 at U.S. Highway 31 and Interstate 65, just south of Birmingham. Angela can be reached at (205) 987-1600 or angela.finley@wynfreyhotel.com. See more information on The Wynfrey Hotel at /hoover/info/hotels/ or http://www.wynfreyhotel.com/

Ronnie Blakney is the General Manager for South Hall "Drive Inside" Climate Controlled Storage and Realty, a climate controlled storage operation with 3 locations in the Hoover area. South Hall offers the ability to "Drive Inside" the buildings to load and unload out of the weather and in safety. The facilities are climate controlled and offer exterior parking for vehicles of all sizes, with video monitoring. Ronnie is a member of the Building Owners and Managers' Association of Metropolitan Birmingham, previously serving as President, and has been the Association Executive for the last 20 years. He has been involved with different aspects of sports in the area in the past: Mortimer Jordan High School Athletic Boosters President; Jefferson State Community College Athletic Boosters President; University of Montevallo Athletics Baseball Operations. Present activities include: Samford University Athletics, Basketball Scorer's Table Operations and Football Game Day Operations; Birmingham Basketball Officials Association, High School Basketball Official; Gardendale First Baptist, Upward Basketball Director; Birmingham Barons, MLB Advanced Media Staff. He is an avid golfer and enjoys traveling. Ronnie resides in Kimberly, AL with his wife, Diane, who works at Samford University in the Athletic Department for Head Football Coach Pat Sullivan. Their son Zac is completing his degree at the University of Montevallo, after competing in baseball in college and in the pros. Contact Ronnie for any information, or discounts available, at South Hall "Drive Inside" Climate Controlled Self Storage. He can be reached at 205-981-8705 or ronnie.blakney@southhall.com or visit South Hall "Drive Inside" Climate Controlled Storage at http://www.southhall.com/

Samantha Hall - the Director of Operations and Co-Founder of Trustway in Hoover. Samantha brings Trustway the expertise and insight needed to successfully manage the firm's operations. Samantha is responsible for marketing, public relations, coordinating public and private speaking events as well as coordinating client events. In addition, her responsibilities include overseeing many of the firms day to day operations. Samantha is an active member of the community. She is an Ambassador for the Hoover Area Chamber, a member of the Events Planning Team at Church of the Highlands and a regular contributor and speaker at St. Vincent's East Bariatric Support Groups. samantha@adefiniteplan.com http://www.adefiniteplan.com/

Trisston Wright Burrows - is the Marketing & Public Relations Manager at Moore Coal Company, Inc. Moore Coal Company, Inc is a locally owned commercial waste removal and recycling business located in Bessemer, Alabama and has been in operation since 1929. In 2000, Trisston graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a degree in Marketing at the top of her class in the School of Businss and with honors--Suma Cum Laude and winning the Chancellor's Scholar Award. Trisston was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America/Alabama 2005. This has been a dream come true and has given her extensive opportunities to travel advocating, education, and promoting the abilities of people with disabilities. Another dream came true in 2008, when Trisston married her best friend and the love of her life, Brian Burrows. Trisston and Brian reside in Hoover, AL. For more info, visit http://www.moorecoal.com/ or contact Trisston at twburrows@moorecoal.com.

Robert Mathews - is the owner of Prestige Floor Care LLC (www.pfccleaning/com). He has been in business since 2007, with experience in the industry since 1999. Robert specializes in the commercial floor care business. He is originally from Columbus, OH and moved to the Birmingham area in 2002, for an opportunity with another floor care company. He was given the opportunity to open his own business along with Scott Johnson. Has has been married since 2010, and has a young daughter. He also volunteers his time as a baseball coach for the Calera High School Eagles. Robert can be reached at (205) 383-5387 or by email at rmathews@pfccleaning.com.

Suzanne Banks-Russell - Suzanne is an integrated solutions provider at Clear Channel Media & Entertainment. Suzanne helps companies of all sizes market their products and services with commercial advertising schedules on Clear Channel's seven radio stations and statewide on the Alabama Radio Network, along with iHeart radio digital stations. She helps businesses find affordable advertising solutions to effectively reach their target markets. Clear Channel's radio stations, online properties and many community outreach projects offer many opportunities for businesses to affordably brand their businesses and make a difference in the community.  With years of experience in radio, television and cable advertising sales, Suzanne has a broad base of expertise to put to work for your business. Suzanne is member of the Chamber Board of Trustees and is active on the Golf Tournament Committee. Suzanne lives with her family in North Shelby County and enjoys competing in Flyball (a crazy dog relay sport) and playing golf (although not very well). She would love to hear from you and can be reached at (205) 439-8428 or suzannebanksrussell@clearchannel.com .