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We are pleased to announce that the Chamber's 2006 Business of the Year is TDS Metrocom, Inc. TDS, a FORTUNE 500 company, is a diversified telecommunications corporation founded in 1969. Through its strategic business units, U.S. Cellular and TDS Telecom, TDS operates primarily by providing wireless and local telephone service. TDS builds value for its shareholders by providing excellent communications services in growing, closely related segments of the telecommunications industry. The company employs over 11,200 people nationwide and serves nearly 6 million customers/units in 36 states.
As a member of the West Allis / West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, TDS has been a great partner. TDS has two salespeople dedicated to our communities. Jon Armstrong, the West Allis salesperson, has worked very hard with our Chamber, volunteering at many events, sitting on the Golf committee, and has been instrumental in starting YPSM. TDS has been a sponsor of many events in past years, including the Golf Outing and the Gala. This year, TDS is our title sponsor for the Business Exposition 2006. In past years, they have sponsored Western Days and United Cerebral Palsy's "Taste of Milwaukee" Event. In addition, TDS Metrocom is heavily involved in community relations including a major corporate sponsorship with the Ronald McDonald House of SE WI and MargaretAnn's Place in Kenosha. The Chamber and TDS have an alliance agreement where WA/WM members receive the lowest price available on a one-year agreement (versus a five-year). Each WA/WM business that joins the TDS family in turn financially supports the chamber's strategies and initiatives. We are proud to be one of a few select organizations to be chosen to partner with TDS.
The Chamber's Citizen of the Year is Diane Brandt, who lives in West Allis, and has been a dedicated community member for years. She has been part of the West Allis Charities for five years, helping with the Western Days Parades, etc. She is on the Downtown BID's promotions committee. Diane has helped organize a team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research and prevention. Diane has also been on the Board of Directors for the Chamber for many years, as well as on the Sales and Marketing Committee, the Business Expo Committee, the Golf Committee, and the Ambassador Committee. Most of our Chamber members have probably met Diane at various events or Business After Fives.
The Volunteer of the Year is Barbara Hart, who also lives in West Allis and is extremely active in a variety of organizations, including the West Allis Historical Society and Log Schoolhouse; the Pabst Mansion; the Food Pantry at Holy Assumption Church; Meals on Wheels; West Allis Rotary; the West Allis Woman's Club; West Allis Retirees; and the Downtown BID. Barb has volunteered for the West Allis / West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce for many years, cleaning the office weekly and attending almost all of the Business After Fives and other Chamber events. In addition to the tons of time she gives these organizations, Barb is also active in her church, and spends many hours helping her children and grandchildren. |
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