LOCAL GAY AND LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (CAGLCC) ELECTS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mark Guenther
Executive Director, CAGLCC
202.436.2028
mguenther@caglcc.org

WASHINGTON, DC – December 19, 2011 – At its Annual Meeting on December 12, 2011, the Capital Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CAGLCC) elected a new Board of Directors for the 2012 calendar year. CAGLCC Executive Director, Mark Guenther expresses his excitement for the new leadership team: "I am very excited to welcome the new board members to the Chamber. All of them have been strong participants in various CAGLCC committees and have already proven their commitment and dedication to our growth and our mission to help LGBT professionals, businesses and our allies flourish.”

Newly elected to serve three year terms are: Jeanie Adkins (Development Manager, Mautner Project), Manuella Hancock (Owner/Principal, Hancock Legal PLLC), Scott Miller (Rosslyn Branch Manager, Eagle Bank), David Rowley (President & CEO, Minuteman Press Crystal City) and Ted Smith (Realtor, Long & Foster).

Guenther is very confident that 2012 will bring an effective collaboration between new members and recurring members in shaping the future of CAGLCC: “These new directors in combination with our seasoned board members and newly elected executive committee promise to be the best leadership our Chamber has ever seen. I am really looking forward to transformational 2012!”

Board members completing their terms are:

Eboné Bell (President, B.O.I. Marketing & Communications LLC), Tavarious Butts (Assistant Vice President, BB&T Bank), Kim Rosenberg (President, Mixology) and Jay Vilar (Principal, Plan A Consulting).
The Board of Directors will be lead by the newly elected Executive Committee:
President - Ernesto M. Santalla AIA, LEED AP (President, Studio Santalla Inc.)
Vice President - Sean Bugg (Co-publisher, Metro Weekly)
Treasurer - Mike Larson (Account Executive, Spectrum Printing and Graphics)
Secretary - Kate Karasmeighan (Board Management and Relations Director, Victory Fund)

After starting his term on the Board two years ago and then serving one year as CAGLCC's Vice President of Programs and Events, new CAGLCC Board President Ernesto M. Santalla is eager to expand on the resources and networking opportunities the Chamber currently provides its 400 members. "CAGLCC is experiencing unprecedented growth as the voice of LGBT business in the Washington Metro Area” says Santalla. “Our membership, which will continue to grow in 2012, is at an all-time high. We reach more than 4,000 individuals through social media and recurring email communications. We have over 100 events scheduled for 2012, which will provide a myriad of networking and educational opportunities. In addition to our weekly, monthly and quarterly Core events and programs, we have four signature events planned. Mega Networking in March will attract over 1,500; the Annual Awards Dinner in April, where top business leaders will be honored; our recurring Pridelicious events in June and then g.life, ‘one day in DC-all things LGBT’ in November.”

CAGLCC is an affiliate of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. CAGLCC’s mission is to advocate, promote and facilitate the success of LGBT businesses, professionals and their allies in the Metro DC region.
For more information and updates on CAGLCC’s programs and events, visit www.caglcc.org.