Jack Rossi, managing partner of Arnett & Foster, today was reelected chairman of the Charleston Area Alliance. The Alliance Board of Directors also elected the following officers:   Pat Bond, Mountaineer Capital, vice chair; Mike Basile, Spilman Thomas & Battle, secretary; and Virginia King, Kanawha Stone, treasurer.

Jack Rossi

In other actions, the Alliance board also approved the organization’s 2010 operating budget.  

“We are planning a break-even budget,” said Alliance President/CEO Matt Ballard.

More than 80 percent of anticipated revenues are generated by private support, including member dues and contributions, grants, special event sponsorships and fees and other activities.

While Chambers of Commerce across the country are coping with dramatic reductions in membership, the Alliance is projecting level numbers in 2010.

“Despite the economic downturn, Alliance membership has remained fairly constant, and we may even end the year with a net increase,” JoEllen Zacks, senior vice president, reported.  “Just staying even is a major victory at time when other chambers and professional organizations are facing dramatic drops in membership.

“In the past year, we have expanded programs and services, offered special sessions on business tips in tough times and strengthened outreach to individual members. We’ve also focused on communicating the value that the Alliance is bringing to businesses and community.  All that is paying off,” she said. 

“It has been a challenging but exciting year at the Alliance,” Ballard said. “We are honored by the vote of confidence that 600 businesses and their 40,000 members have placed in the Alliance through their membership.

“Charleston area businesses understand that we are working hard on their behalf to attract jobs and investments to our region and deliver programs, services and public policy leadership that will help them achieve success,” he noted.  “We look forward to serving growing numbers of businesses as we strive to build a more vibrant community and prosperous economy in the year ahead.”