ABA meeting at the Library:
Tuesday, April 3, starting at 7:00 p.m.
66 Front Street (downstairs, via side door)
Meetings are free of charge, and are open to all business owners, executives, and managers

Elected officers for 2007:
President: David Teller of Ryan Insurance Agency, Inc.
Vice President: Bob DePeron of Money-Wise Solutions LLC
Co-Secretaries: Kou Hang of Sovereign Bank; and Claudette Rowe of Ashland KnowledgePoints Learning Center
Treasurer: Elyse Shuster of CruisingCo.com & MouseEarVacations.com
Publicity Coordinator: Linda Herring of Art by Herring Design Services
Members-at-Large: Mike Corkery of Custom Software Solutions, Inc.; Glenn M. Travis of GMT Home Designs, Inc.; Judi Teller, Realtor - Berkshire Realty Group; Adam Sachs of John Hancock Financial Network; Jason Rutherford of Federated Church of Ashland; Dianna Hopper of Di's Little Friends Playcare; and Lisa Giargiari of M.T. Giargiari Electrical Service.

A note from the outgoing President
I am so grateful for my year as President of the Ashland Business Association, and I am proud of the accomplishments of the Steering Committee and the Association as a whole.

My personal goal of bringing professional speakers and helpful business knowledge to each meeting has served to show me the importance of continuing education. I am warmed by the knowledge that business owners have benefited from the information, and am happy that each of you thirsts for more. Each morsel of information that we share with one another is so valuable. Whether we share our successes or failures -- each has incredible value. Continue to listen to and help each other, and to be a wonderful giving community within Ashland. There is much knowledge within our Association -- continue to uncover it!

I hope that the Ashland Business Association will keep growing and that its members prosper. I look forward to continuing my membership and learning so much more. Thank you for the opportunity that you gave me. I am grateful for the experience. 

- Judi Teller

Presentations/Speakers:
- Kou Hang of Sovereign Bank will speak about the bank’s products and services.
- Mike Corkery of Custom Software Solutions, Inc., will demo some enhanced features for the ABA Web site, including listing our businesses by categories.
- Pamela Bathen will give us an update on the development of the Front Street portion of Ashland center.

"Business After Hours"
Glenn M. Travis of GMT Home Designs will host the "business after hours" in April.  It will be held at the library immediately following the meeting. Anyone interested in hosting a “business after hours” at the library or your place of business, please call Dianna Hopper at 508-736-3724.

Rediscover Ashland
Exposure for local businesses and sales are the main goals of this annual event, which doesn't have to be as complex as the last couple of years. Rediscover Ashland could be an expanded Sidewalk Sale that includes a chili contest and music -- or something similar -- and of course we'll set a rain date this year. If you can help coordinate this event or need more information before committing, please call Bob DePeron at 508-816-3312 or Linda Herring at 508-881-7213. Unless volunteers step forward very soon, RA 2007 is in serious jeopardy of not happening!

Welcome Baskets
The welcome basket program will restart in April. Previously, an inventory list was added to the ABA Web site.  Outdated materials will be thrown out, and all other items in inventory will be a part of the welcome baskets. If you have items on the inventory list and do not want to participate in the welcome baskets, you must opt out by March 31. We are also looking for volunteers to hand out the baskets. Please call Kou Hang at 508-881-1130.

ABA Membership Committee
ReBecca Savard of Fish Works, Dianna Hopper of Di's Little Friends Playcare, and Glenn M. Travis of GMT Home Designs are working on contacting ABA members we haven't seen for a while -- to encourage them to come to meetings and to renew. If you can help, please contact Glenn at 508-881-7992. The more members who attend meetings, the greater the opportunity for all of us to share ideas and to prosper our businesses.

The ABA welcomes these new members:
Biggieri Remodeling Renovations
Earthly Wealth Jewelry
Max Performance, LLC
Primerica Financial Services
The Prudential Insurance Company of America