Pinnacle Awards, Governor's budget & UI rate freeze 'On the Record'

Last night, Chamber EVP Jim Klocke went On the Record with NECN's Latoyia Edwards to discuss the Chamber's 2012 Pinnacle Awards luncheon, Governor Patrick's FY '13 budget, and the status of an unemployment insurance rate freeze.

The Pinnacle Awards: In Pictures

In case you missed yesterday's event, here are some images that capture the highly successful 2012 Pinnacle Awards.

For the full gallery, please click here.

Congratulations again to all eight honorees!

2012 Pinnacle Award Honorees Gather

More than 1,000 of Greater Boston's top business executives and professionals today filled the Boston's Copley Marriott Place to honor eight of the region's most dynamic women leaders, as part of the 2012 Pinnacle Awards, hosted by the Chamber.

Front Row: Joan W. Miller, M.D. (Harvard Medical School), Marcy L. Reed (National Grid),  Mary Jo Meisner (The Boston Foundation), Michelle Shell, CFA (LPL Financial)

Back Row: Carmen M. Ortiz (District of Massachusetts), Suzanne Bates (Bates Communications, Inc.),
Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter (Harvard Business School), Helen G. Drinan (Simmons College)

House Energy Chair Keenan Talks Top Issues

The Chamber's Energy Committe convened this morning, discussing the top issues and trends impacting the Greater Boston business and civilian communities. Today's guest speaker: House Energy Chair Rep. John Keenan.

Chamber's Guzzi Joins State Officials in Veterans Services Funding Announcement

Chamber President & CEO Paul Guzzi joined Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Coleman Nee in a press conference yesterday announcing the state’s funding of nearly $11.25 million devoted exclusively for veterans and their families, for Fiscal Year 2013.

This latest round of funding builds on the Commonwealth’s commitment to maximizing employment, health, economic, housing, and other services and benefits for its thousands of veterans – from those recently returning from Iraq and Afghanistan to older generations.

In addition to Murray’s budget announcement, Guzzi detailed the Chamber’s continual partnership with the Commonwealth, working with the local business community to enhance veteran’s access to adequate employment and training opportunities.

This news article has more on yesterday’s event.

Chamber Joins Governor, Mayor, Civic Leaders in Call for Community College Reform

The Chamber’s Executive Vice President Jim Klocke today joined Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, and business and civic leaders at a meeting and press conference supporting community college reform across the Commonwealth.

Attendees cited the importance of community colleges to area businesses, to Massachusetts residents, and to the state’s economic competitiveness.  The Governor’s proposed overhaul of Massachusetts’ community colleges was a prominent theme in his State of the Commonwealth address last night. The initiative includes the merger of all 15 state campuses into a unified system, and $10 million in new funding for the system’s workforce development initiatives.

Stronger community colleges are critical to realizing the full potential of the Massachusetts economy.  The Chamber will work with leaders in the business, education, civic and government sectors in the months ahead for passage of community college reform legislation.

Read more about the Governor's proposal.

Hill Holliday's Karen Kaplan named new chair of Chamber

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce announced today that Karen Kaplan, president of Hill Holliday, has been chosen to serve as the new chair of the Chamber. Her two-year term will begin on April 24, when she is inaugurated at the Chamber’s 103^rd Annual Meeting & Dinner. Kaplan was the unanimous choice of the Chamber’s Executive and Nominating Committees.  She is only the second woman to chair the Chamber in 103 years.

“Karen Kaplan brings an impressive track record of contributions to the Massachusetts business and civic communities,” said Robert Gallery, Massachusetts president of Bank of America and current Chamber chair. “Her extensive experience in the advertising industry and the terrific work she has done to advance women’s leadership guarantee she will be a tremendous asset to the Chamber and its mission.”

“Karen’s success at Hill Holliday, presence in the Greater Boston community, and vision for the future make her one of the region’s most respected and talented leaders,” said Paul Guzzi, president and CEO of the Chamber. “I very much look forward to working with her over the next two years.”

Kaplan joined Hill Holliday, the 17^th largest advertising agency in the United States, as a receptionist in 1982, and is now a driving force behind the firm’s growth to more than $1 billion in annual billings. Hill Holliday’s clients include Dunkin’ Donuts, Chili’s, John Hancock, Liberty Mutual, Bank of America, Major League Baseball, Novartis, Great Wolf Resorts, Cigna, TJX, and Verizon Wireless. Kaplan is the immediate past President of the Massachusetts Women's Forum and serves on the board of the Massachusetts Conference for Women. She is a member of the Board of Governors of the Chief Executives’ Club of Boston, and also is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative.

"The Chamber plays a critical role in growing our economy by fostering the important partnership between business and government,” said Kaplan. “I look forward to serving and engaging the next generation of Boston's leaders to help shape the Chamber's future agenda."

“We are delighted that Karen is assuming this important role,” said Mike Sheehan, CEO of Hill Holliday. “The Chamber has made a tremendous impact improving the business climate in our region, and Hill Holliday is proud to support their work.”