The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce has an amazing history of providing leadership to ensure a healthy business community.  Over the years, the vision of the Chamber has thrived to be the authoritative voice for a diverse and changing business environment.  Other than the Great Depression, I can think of no other time in American History where we have seen a greater change in the business landscape.  We also find ourselves fully immersed in the information age trying to decipher reality from illusion.   In times of great change and with the need for accurate information, it is vital to have an advocate who can be the authoritative voice for local businesses.  With that said, I believe the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is ready to not only fill this role but meet the challenge.

Like a lot of people, I initially joined the Chamber of Commerce for some networking opportunities for my newly started company; however, once I became more involved I began to learn about the incredible resources available to companies of all sizes.  Debbie Moreno, CEO of the Chamber and her staff do an amazing job of coordinating resources, educational seminars, business counseling and networking through a vast collection of volunteers.  From the Board of Directors to all committee chairs and committee members, business people from companies large and small have stepped up to take leadership positions to help the Chamber pursue its mission and vision. 

While everyone joins the Chamber for a different reason, it is crucial that one utilizes all that the membership provides.  As an entrepreneur and small business owner I realize our financial limitations, but also understand the time needed to make a chamber membership a great investment.

During this time of economic struggle for our country, we constantly hear the politicians talk about how to get people back to work and how to get the economy moving forward.  What they have forgotten is that we live in America and a majority of us believed in the American Dream at one point in our lives.  I believe that the way out of this economic malaise is to reignite the American Dream, and that can only be done through the business community.  We need to continue to create, innovate and teach vocations.

I am honored to serve the Bakersfield business community as the Chairman of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and to work with the amazing board members, committee chairs and staff to spark the American Dream in Bakersfield and ensure a healthy business community.  No matter what the size of your company, get involved in the many offerings of the Chamber and let’s make Bakersfield better!

Sincerely,

Tim Terrio, GBCC Chairman of the Board
Founder/CEO, TERRIO Physical Therapy & Fitness Inc.