About Us

Mission Statement

"To represent our membership by advocating a healthy economic climate through the effective use of our unique regional resources to enhance the quality of life in the greater Yuma area."

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Message from the Executive Director

 A generosity of spirit exists here in Yuma that can’t be found anywhere else. Our sense of community will make you feel welcome in a matter of seconds. As I begin my 5th year as your Executive Director, I want to extend my appreciation and gratitude to my Board of Directors, our tireless team of Ambassador volunteers, and the 750 + member businesses of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce. We are doing everything we can to make this your Chamber of Commerce, based on your needs, your inspirations, your successes, and your goals. Based on your input, we have introduced training programs, a “Lunch & Learn” series of events and a South County Partnership. Our other successes include the S. June Pallack Excellence in Education Awards, the South County Social, and the Summer Works in Yuma program. We will continue to advocate for you to keep taxes low, to keep government small and to keep government out of your businesses. We are vigilant at the local, state, regional and national level and work tirelessly to make sure that all of you are represented. We collaborate with our City, County, State, and Federal elected officials and the cooperation has been wonderful. We’ve stayed highly engaged in Education Funding Reform, Impact Fees, water issues and widening Highway 95. We have wonderful partnerships with the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, the Yuma Visitors Bureau (Visit Yuma), and the Better Business Bureau. We also collaborate with the City of Yuma, Yuma County, the Somerton Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Chamber Executives, Arizona @ Work, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Western Association of Chamber Executives. Additionally, we are members of the Yuma County Fair Board, BetterYuma.Org, the Yuma Southwest Contractors Association, the Yuma Area Agriculture Council, the Yuma Association of Realtors, Yuma Education Advocacy Council, and the American Business Women’s Association. We at the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce will continue to represent you to help make your businesses better. Of course, we want you to “Think Yuma First!” The Chamber’s Administrative Assistant, Sheryl Hehe, understands the chamber world, as this former Criminal used to be the Executive Director of the Ft. Lupton CO Chamber of Commerce. The Outreach and Events Coordinator, Tania Pavlak, understands the non-profit world, as she was the Program Director of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. We work for you; keep us busy! The cornerstone of our marketing efforts is our “Shop Locally” program. We focus daily on making businesses in Yuma County prosperous and shopping locally drives that success. It is my honor to serve the business people of Yuma County, Arizona. I welcome your thoughts, ideas, letters and most importantly, your involvement with the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.

Sincerely,  
John Courtis, Executive Director

Message from the Chairman

 On behalf of the Board of Directors for the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, it is my honor and privilege to serve as the 2019 chairperson for our area’s premier business organization. The Board of Directors and I are eager to give our time and expertise to this organization because we realize the immense value Yuma County Chamber of Commerce brings to our members and the community. Our expanding partnerships in South Yuma County – specifically San Luis, Somerton and Gadsden – are integral to our collective economy, and we are thrilled to be representing those communities as well. Yuma is unique and diverse, and so are our members. But one thing we all share is enthusiasm for our community. We all know that in order to have a robust economic environment, we have to have strong partnerships – and we do! I’m excited to continue to grow our already solid relationships with other non-profit and civic organizations like Caballeros de Yuma, Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation and Visit Yuma. Together, with a dedicated staff and an incredible team of volunteer ambassadors, we will continue uphold the mission of Yuma County Chamber of Commerce: represent our membership by advocating for a healthy economic climate through the effective use of our unique regional resources to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Yuma area. We will stay the course as the voice of local business on the state and national stage, working on Yuma’s behalf on critical issues like legislation, military, transportation and education. If you are not yet a member, please join us. Be my guest at a Good Morning, Yuma! breakfast, or stop by a monthly mixer. You’ll see the incredible networking opportunities and meet a group of savvy people who are as eager to grow our local economy as you are. I also encourage you to use the directory to find goods and services provided by businesses right here in Yuma County. Spend more time in homegrown shops and see what your neighbors have to offer. Lastly, I’d like to give a heartfelt thanks to our members and volunteers. Without you, Yuma County Chamber of Commerce could not operate as the best business organization in our area. Cheers to a wonderful, productive year!

Sincerely,
Anna Chaulk
Chairman of the Board, 2019 Yuma County Chamber of Commerce
Community Affairs Manager, Arizona Public Service

Chamber Staff

John Courtis
Executive Director
Email: john@yumachamber.org

Sheryl Hehe
Administrative Assistant
Email: sheryl@yumachamber.org

Tania Pavlak
Outreach & Events Coordinator
Email: tania@yumachamber.org

Chamber Board Of Directors

Chairman
Anna Chaulk
APS

 
Art Morales
Past Chair

Chair Elect
Jeff Byrd
1st Bank Yuma

Treasurer
Lisa Reilly
Yuma Sun

Secretary
Paul Brierley
Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture

Dr. Michael Sabath
NAU

Howard Blitz
The Freedom Library

Kathy Ahuactzin
24 Karat

Adrian Elder
Yuma Investment Group

Bill Regenhardt
Arizona@Work/YPIC

Chris Wheeler
Prison Hill Brewery

Steve Pallack
Caballeros de Yuma