The Greater Austin Chamber enters 2005 with a strong leadership team and a challenging agenda. As the New Year opens, Kirk Watson of the law firm of Watson, Bishop, London & Brophy, becomes Chamber Chairman, taking the reins from Rick Burciaga, Regional President of Wells Fargo Bank.

“The Chamber has great momentum. We’re moving forward,” Watson said. “Opportunity Austin has had a very successful first year. We will build on that. And the Chamber is in a period of positive transition in influencing public policy.”

The Chamber board has approved a list of 2005 strategic priorities, which include:

• Meeting the Opportunity Austin job creation goals for Year Two
• Assisting a minimum of 1,000 small business members to improve business operations
• Targeting new industries for recruiting, including clean energy, digital media and transportation/logistics
• Influencing public policy to provide a predictable business climate.
• Improving regional air service and the region's transportation system, including freight rail and an economic impact analysis of the benefits of State Highway 130
• Increasing the number of high school students who enroll in higher education
• Sustaining and improving the community's livability and commitment to diversity.

Watson will lead a team headed by these members of the Chamber's Executive Committee:

Tim Crowley, President, Austin Community Banking Group Frost Bank—Chair-elect
Rick Burciaga, Regional President, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A-Greater Austin Region—Immediate Past Chair
Bill Morrow, Vice Chairman & CEO, Grande Communications—Vice Chair for Communications
Gary Farmer, President, Heritage Title Co. of Austin—Vice Chair for Economic Development
Charles Barnett, President and CEO, Seton Healthcare Network—Vice Chair for Education and Workforce
Amy Chronis, Managing Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP—Vice Chair for Finance
Jeff King, Partner, Haynes & Boone—General Counsel
Lucy Leatherwood, City President, Compass Bank—Vice Chair for Membership
Roger Mitchell, President, Texas Gas Service—Vice Chair for Public Policy
Bobby Jenkins, President, ABC Pest and Lawn Services—Vice Chair for Small Business
Elizabeth Christian, President, Elizabeth Christian and Associates Public Relations—Vice Chair for Transportation and Regional Development
Juan Garza, General Manager, Austin Energy—Member At Large
Robena Jackson, President, Groups Solutions RJW—Member At Large
Diana Zuniga, President, Investor's Alliance, Inc.—Member At Large

Other Board Members Include:

Board Terms Ending December 31, 2005

Ashton Cumberbatch, Jr., Police Monitor, City of Austin
Robin Curle, CEO, Zebra Imaging
Larry Earvin, President, Huston-Tillotson College
Joe Holt, Chairman of Austin Region, Group Manager, Texas Region, South Technology, South Government Banking, JPMorganChase
Robena Jackson, President, Group Solutions RJW
Meredith Marks, COO, Public Strategies, Inc.
Martin Otto, VP & GM of Central Texas Region, H-E-B
*Walter Penn, President, Penn Investment Group
Trey Salinas, Partner, Martin & Salinas Public Affairs, Inc.
Jerry Turner, Partner, Vinson & Elkins LLP
Rick Whiteley, Office Specialist, Colliers Oxford Commercial

Board Terms Ending December 31, 2006

Joe Beal, General Manager, Lower Colorado River Authority
Amy Chronis, Managing Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Carlos Fernandez, President & General Manager, KXAN/ KNVA Television
Gary Goldstein, CEO, Humana, Texas
Bob Huthnance, President, Frost Bank
Dennis Kinsler, Site Manager, Solectron Corporation
Lucy Leatherwood, President, Compass Bank
Lew Little, CEO, Harden Healthcare
William Morrow, Vice Chairman and CEO, Grande Communications
Michael Polcari, President & CEO, International SEMATECH
Tom Segesta, General Manager, Four Seasons

Board Terms Ending December 31, 2007

*Ford Alexander, Principal, Colliers Oxford Commercial
*Norm Chenven, Founder and Executive Director, Austin Regional Clinic
*Jon Foster, President & CEO, St. David’s Healthcare Partnership
*Juan Garza, General Manager, Austin Energy
*Mike Kincade, Senior Director, Austin Technology Center, The Home Depot
*M.P. Nourzad, President, NourzAds
*H.K. Park, President, Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Kirk Rudy, Principal, Endeavor Real Estate Group
*Doyle Simons, Chief Administrative Officer, Temple-Inland
*Sue Snyder, Vice President, AMD
*Bill Wilson, President, Wachovia Bank

* New Board member