Greater Delray Beach Chamber Honors 2011 Graduating Leadership Delray Class

DELRAY BEACH, FL, June 11, 2011 (Press-News.org) This wasn't your typical Membership Business Breakfast for The Greater Delray Chamber of Commerce (GDBCC). While attendees enjoyed a healthy warm breakfast and a morning of conversation, the pivotal front table was dressed with graduation balloons, glasses, and streamers, hosting the graduating members of the 2011 Leadership Delray Class.

"It is a true honor to be here today, standing in front of a new graduating class of leaders. In the future you will be our city commissioners, board of directors, and one of you maybe our future mayor," stated Mayor Woodie McDuffie. Since the mid 80's, Leadership Delray has molded our community members into our community leaders.

Gregg Weiss, Chairman of the Chamber Board, presented diplomas to a variety of business leaders. Receiving diplomas were: Amy Alvarez, City of Delray Beach; Dawn Delany, Delray Beach Police Department; Ellyn Okrent, Milagro Center; Sarah Flynn, Willcaro Communications, LLC; Fred Goltz, Abbey Delray South; Jacquelyn Hanser, Coffee on Call; Jan Kucera, JMK Events; Joan Joens, One To One Physical Therapy & Aquatics; Joe Matijasich, H & M Accounting and Tax Service, Inc.; Laura Simon, Downtown Development Authority; Lily Majure, SunTrust Bank; Louise Weir Glover, Merrill Lynch; Mary Ellen Spellman, Abbey Delray; Ollie Cole, Delray Beach Police Department; Steve Clark, Waste Management, Inc.; Steve Mackey, Mack Industrial, Inc.; and Toby Rubin, Delray Beach Police Department.

The morning speakers include Charles F. Cannone, CPA, Chamber Director of the Year; Chuck Halberg, Business Person of the Year, and Dr. Craig Spodak, Business of the Year. Lily Majure, a graduate, remarked "I would say that Leadership Delray has been a great opportunity to meet people that are influential in the community across the broad sector. It opened doors that would have taken years to get through."

We all see the end process of what bustling Delray Beach offers; however, each class gains the opportunity to learn the backstage magic of Delray Beach. From the arts and culture to Delray's government system, members learn what it takes to run a successful close-knit community.

"This isn't the end for the class, we are building an alumni group to come together and mentor our next class," stated Tami Lustig, Membership Director for the GDBCC Chamber. Registration for next the 2012 Leadership Delray Class is underway, for more information please contact Tami Lustig at tami@delraybeach.com

The Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in Delray Beach, representing more than 900 businesses, professionals and organizations. For more information, please call 561.278.0424 or visit http://www.delraybeach.com , http://www.businessdelray.org and http://www.visitdelraybeach.us.

The Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce is a 950 member, not-for-profit organization representing Delray Beach businesses. Established in 1925, it is one of only 500 Chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Commerce is an active and trusted voice in the regional business and residential community promoting business growth and development in Delray Beach. Our goal is to serve the educational, social, governmental, economic and leadership development needs of Delray Beach as well as connect businesses and residents with programs and resources that will enhance business success, job creation and quality of life.

Members and visitors are welcome at the Chamber's Visitor Center, located at 64-A SE Fifth Avenue in Delray Beach. For more information about Chamber programs and Visitor's Center hours of operation, visit http://www.delraybeach.com or call the Chamber at (561) 279-1380.