Board of Directors
The 2008-2009 Keene Chamber of Commerce board of directors are — in back, left to right — Sarah Layton, treasurer; Phil Robertson; Gwen Beeson, secretary; Glen Ball; Jorge Velez, vice president; David Phillips and Samantha Gillin, volunteer coordinator. In front are Paul Gnadt, left, president and Jere Putnam, membership director.
Paul Gnadt, PresidentPaul Gnadt is the editor of the Keene Star, the city's weekly newspaper. He was elected Keene Chamber president in 2007 and has another year remaining in his three-year term on the board. Paul and his wife, Bonnie, live in Keene.
Jorge Velez, Vice-PresidentJorge Velez is assistant manager of the Texas Adventist Book Center in Keene and Vice-President the Keene Chamber Board of Directors. He was elected to the board in 2007. Jorge and his wife, Lizzie, live in Keene.
Sarah Layton, TreasurerSarah Layton is the Cash Management/Marketing Officer for Pinnacle Bank, and treasurer of the Keene Chamber. She offices at the bank's headquarters in Keene. She was elected to the board in 2007. Sarah and her husband, Dewayne, live in Kopperl.
Jere Putnam, Membership DirectorJere Putnam works with Putnam Service in Keene. He was elected to the board in 2004 and is in his second consecutive three-year term. He is the membership director. Jere and his wife, Sandy, live in Keene.
Gwen Beeson, SecretaryGwen Beeson is owner of Wash Depot in Keene. She is completing her second three-year term on the board and is secretary for the second consecutive year. She and her husband, Don, live just outside of Keene.
Phil RobertsonPhil Robertson is the pastor for administration for the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was elected to the board in 2006. Phil and his wife, Kathy, live just outside the Keene city limits line.
David PhillipsDavid Phillips is a member of the faculty in the business department at Southwestern Adventist University. He was elected to the board in 2007. David and his wife, Suzanne, live in Keene.
Glen BallGlen Ball is owner of Ball Insurance in Cleburne. He was appointed to the board in 2007 to fill a vacancy and was elected in 2008 to a three-year term. Glen and his wife, Melody, live in Cleburne.
Samantha GillinSamantha Gillin is owner of Gillin Realty in Keene. She was elected to the board in 2008 for a three-year term. Samantha, who lives in Joshua, coordinates all Keene Chamber volunteers.
History
According to minutes from the Chamber archives, 25 citizens met at the Keene Diner on July 1, 1993, to discuss forming a chamber of commerce.
At that meeting, Star Group publisher James Moody, advertising director Cathy Smith, and Randy Scoggins, who later became the first editor of the Keene Reporter, now the Keene Star, were in attendance to talk about starting a newspaper in Keene. "Concern was expressed that the content of the paper be positive," the minutes said. Read More...