Angel Fire Chamber Ambassadors Rock!

Jo Mixon
Executive Director
Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce

In 2011 and 2012 the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce had a spurt of growth. We really needed a group of dedicated volunteers to help maintain our programs and events and to represent the chamber in the community and surrounding areas in a positive manner. We turned to our business members and the Ambassador program began in 2013.

The Chamber Ambassador is a chosen business member who volunteers their time to provide a crucial link between the Chamber, its members and the community. They are all things Chamber. These dedicated volunteers are in the center of the business activity of the community and they contribute to the success of all of our programs and events. They are the backbone of the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce. Only the Board of Directors take on more responsibility than the Ambassador Team and I don’t know what we’d do without them! They assist with business after hours, membership meetings, ribbon cuttings, dinners, events, luncheons, and they help recruit new members. They are in contact with existing members to help insure retention, they set the example for a pro-business attitude, and they take on opportunities to create and implement new ideas that support the mission of the Chamber to ensure organizational strength and growth. The great rapport among the Ambassadors, serves the Chamber, by their example of integrity and good will among the entire membership. Their teamwork is incredible.

The original 2013-2014 Ambassador Team had six members:

1. Johnese Turri, Team Leader, Turri Productions
2. Dominic Serna, Hatcha’s Grill of Angel Fire
3. Brinn Colenda, Monte Verde Realty
4. Mike Liddle, Rotary Club of Angel Fire
5. Lisa Morales, Sangre de Cristo Chronicle
6. Jo DeKeuster, Enchanted Circle Pottery

In 2014-2015 the Ambassador Team grew to seven members:

1. Johnese Turri, Team Leader, Turri Productions
2. Dominc Serna, Hatcha’s Grill of Angel Fire & H2 Uptown
3. Brinn Colenda, Monte Verde Realty
4. Mike Liddle, Sangre de Cristo Chronicle
5. Jo DeKuester, Enchanted Circle Pottery
6. Carol Rupp, Artist
7. Brent Dunn, Mountain Sports of Angel Fire.

Our current 2015-2016 Ambassador Team is now eight members strong:

1. Mike Liddle, Team Leader, Wheeler Peak Press
2. Johnese Turri, Garden Club of Angel Fire
3. Brinn Colenda, Monte Verde Realty
4. Jo DeKeuster, Enchanted Circle Pottery
5. Carol Rupp, Artist
6. Brent Dunn, Mountain Sports of Angel Fire
7. Trini Bradley, Pizza Stop
8. Gabrielle Nelson, Angel Fire Resort Mountain Rental & Property Management

Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team 2015-2016

Mike Liddle Team Leader 2015-2016 Asst. Governor-Elect at Rotary District 5520 Representing Wheeler Peak Press

Johnese Turri Team Leader 2013-2015 President:Garden Club of Angel Fire

Jo DeKeuster owner/artist Enchanted Circle Pottery

Brinn Colenda Agent Monte Verde Realty Village Councilman

Brent Dunn owner Mountain Sports of Angel Fire

Carol Rupp Artist

Trini Bradley co-owner Pizza Stop

Gabrielle Nelson Angel Fire Resort Mountain Rentals & Property Management

I asked them why they give so much of their time and want to be an Ambassador. Some of the replies:

Mike Liddle, Representative Wheeler Peak Press “I am an Ambassador because I like promoting the Chamber to new members and networking with all existing members. The Ambassador Team is an awesome group that I enjoy volunteering with.”
Johnese Turri, President Garden Club of Angel Fire “I have been an Ambassador since 2013. I love getting to meet and connect with so many wonderful people in the Valley. I like the exposure our local businesses get from Business after Hours, too.”

Brinn Colenda, Monte Verde Realty Agent/Village Councilman”I became an Ambassador to help improve internal village communications and bridge the gap between the Chamber membership and the Resort. I particularly enjoy the business after hours program as a chance to get together in a social setting as opposed to brief encounters at the post office or grocery store.”

Brent Dunn, Owner Mountain Sports of Angel Fire”I joined the Ambassador program to give back to the community. I spend a lot of time at Mountain Sports talking with visitors and locals alike and felt being an Ambassador would help this civic organization reach and impact more people in the community.”

Gabrielle Nelson, Representative Angel Fire Resort Mountain Rentals & Property Management “I was honored to be asked to be an Ambassador for the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce. I thoroughly support our Chamber and its mission to promote connectivity throughout the Moreno Valley. To me Angel Fire is a little village with a big heart and I look forward to being more involved with our Chamber activities.”

Jo DeKeuster, Artist Co-Owner Enchanted Circle Pottery “I was recruited to be an Ambassador in 2013 and it has proven to be a fun experience and helpful to the Chamber.”

I am eternally grateful for the work this team puts in and the volunteer man hours they provide. Do you know what they get in return? An embossed name tag! And they wear it with a smile! Well maybe a little more than that. Their businesses get continuous recognition, we give an Ambassador of the Year award, and they get joy for participating in the positive promotion of Angel Fire. When you see one of these Awesome Ambassadors, take a minute and say, “You rock! And thank-you for all of the behind the scene volunteer hours you provide to help make our Chamber a better organization!”