Lee Chamber Elects 2012 Officers
Bruce Singer, owner of the Devonfield Country Inn, and Brian Weinrich, owner of the Federal House Inn, were unanimously elected co-presidents.
Singer is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1975. He was an assistant attorney general for the state of Florida, then Miami Beach chief assistant city attorney in 1979. In 1981, he was elected to the Miami Beach City Commission, where he served 10 years, including three terms as vice mayor. Singer gave up the practice of law in 1988 to become CEO and president of the 1,500-member Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. In 2005, Singer and his wife, Ronnie, moved to the Lee and purchased Devonfield Country Inn, which was recently recognized nationally as the Inn of the Year.
Singer currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau and the Lee Community Development Corp.
"As the town of Lee's largest business and civic organization, the Lee Chamber plays a major role in improving the quality of life of the citizens of Lee and enhancing the business climate," said Singer. "Our goal is to maintain those qualities that makes Lee a great all-American town while at the same time taking advantage of Lee's location as the 'Gateway to the Berkshires.'"
Weinrich was a professional educator for 38 years as a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator in Michigan, Florida and in four overseas settings. He was a member of Rotary while living in Michigan and is now treasurer of the Tri-town Rotary Club. He has served on various advisory boards including Big Brothers Big Sisters, County Arts and Humanities councils and on a number regional, state and international educational councils and committees. He and his wife, Kolleen, purchased the Federal House Inn, moved to the Berkshires and have been innkeepers since April 2009.
He has served on the Lee Chamber of Commerce Board since January 2010.
Re-elected board members are:
Jeanne Oliver Larkin, vice president of retail banking for Lee Bank, returns as board treasurer. She has served on the board for five years and as treasurer for three.
Nancy Shaw, Lee Branch officer for South Adams Savings Bank, was elected chamber secretary. She joined the board in 2010, and took over as secretary midterm in 2011.
Joining as 2012 board members are:
John Bortolotto, NBT Bank; Francine Britton, SED Fund and the Good Purpose Gallery; Malcolm Chisholm, attorney at law; Kathy Consolati, Ray Murray Inc.; Carolyn Edwards, Lee Premium Outlets; Gloria Friedman, Applegate Inn; Sam Patel, Super 8 Motel; and Marcia Slaminsky, Ben's Shop
"It is an exciting year for the town of Lee and the Chamber of Commerce," said Weinrich. "With a fully occupied, pedestrian friendly Main Street, major renovation projects complete, and more community enhancement projects under way, Lee is moving in the right direction and we're looking to keep the momentum."
More information: leechamber.org.
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