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Chamber Ambassador Highlight: Nikki Rozzell and David Hawke


June and July Ambassador of the Month:
Nikki Rozzell

Nikki Rozzell joined the Chamber Ambassadors six months ago after Eddie Wilkes -- Ambassador of the Year for 2010 -- described all the benefits.

“He invited me to an Ambassadors meeting while he was attending Orange Grove’s ribbon cutting,” she says. “I went to the meeting and decided I needed to join.”

Rozzell, who spent eight years in the insurance industry, is business development manager for the secure document destruction program at Orange Grove. She was recently certified by the National Association for Information Destruction.

“Coming from a background in sales I have tried several networking groups, but none come close to the organization and dedication of the Ambassadors,” she says.

Rozzell’s two favorite ambassadorial duties are attending ribbon cuttings and volunteering at major Chamber events. “I really like spotting guests’ tables for them and greeting them at the door,” she says.

The Chamber is truly on top of welcoming new business members, Rozzell has discovered. “I went to deliver a new member packet to a business, and their building was only in the phase of having sheet rock hung!” she says with a laugh.

Rozzell estimates that 20 percent of her new business comes from referrals from other Chamber members. “I feel very confident this percentage will increase as I continue to network with other professionals and build trusting relationships,” she says.

A Texas native, Rozzell and her husband Frank have three daughters.



August Ambassador of the Month:
David Hawke

David Hawke, owner of Marketing Velocity, has been a Chamber Ambassador for four months. “I decided to join the Ambassadors when I saw how much they do for the Chamber and the community,” he says. “It just seemed like a place I wanted to be and a great group to be associated with.”

Hawke says the best benefit of the organization is the networking. “I’ve literally met hundreds of new people through my Ambassador activities,” he says. “I believe becoming an Ambassador is one of the best decisions I’ve made as a business owner.”

Marketing Velocity helps small and medium-sized businesses reach out to potential new customers and receive online exposure through a variety of methods, including website optimization, online video, local search and local directories to name a few.

Hawke has been an avid computer enthusiast and programmer since 1985. He began building and marketing websites in 2002 and now serves the Chattanooga, Nashville, Atlanta and North Georgia markets. “It is incredibly rewarding when a company goes from struggling to make sales to an abundance of sales -- and I know I had a hand in that,” he says.

The August Ambassador of the Month is a board member of the Enterprise Gateway Council. He and his wife of 10 years, Kimberly, have one daughter, Kara. Both enjoy traveling, cooking and visiting with family and friends.

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