The mission of the Ames Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen the long-term economic vitality of its members and the community.

Iowa State’s dean of the College of Business, Benjamin Allen, may be able to contribute to Ames’ economic vitality if his nomination for president-elect of the Chamber of Commerce passes.

Allen has recently been nominated by the Commerce Board of Directors to serve as president-elect on the Board of Directors for the 1997 term.

Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce David Maahs said they have Allen’s nomination for president-elect, as well as nominations for five new Board members. “There will be a chance to offer write-in votes for both positions and …the positions should be finalized in either October or November at one of our director meetings,” Maahs said.

If Allen is named president-elect for 1997, he would then serve as president for the 1998 term. Maahs said the chamber president coordinates and chairs all of the board of directors meetings.

“The president serves as a spokesperson for the chamber on community, state and federal issues and has the power to appoint special task forces to work on issues that are important to our membership.”

Maahs said there are a variety of issues the chamber works on. “We currently have a joint task force with the Ames Economic Development Commission and the land-use policy plan the city is adopting.”

Phyliss Lepke, director of the giving program for the Iowa State Foundation, was appointed to the nomination committee for the board of directors.

“I feel that Dean Allen’s administrative skill combined with his broad knowledge of the business community suggests that he will provide innovative leadership during his term of office,” Lepke said.

“Dr. Allen is an exceptional administrator. It will be wonderful to see the close working relationship between the university and the Ames community as represented by his being named the president-elect.”

According to the Chamber of Commerce bylaws for nomination by petition “… additional names of candidates for Directors can be nominated by petition bearing the genuine signatures of at least 20 qualified members of the Chamber. Such petitions shall be filed with the nominating committee within 10 days after notice has been given of the names of those nominated.”