Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce annual meeting June 19

The Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 19^th at Four Points by Sheraton in Wakefield, beginning with registration and networking at 5 p.m. The evening will include a welcome at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m.

Guest speaker Jon Hurst, President of the 4000-member Retailers Association of Massachusetts, will begin his remarks after the election of officers and directors, and the presentation of several awards to recognize businesses and individuals who have had an impact on businesses and the community.

As President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Hurst manages the member services, education and public affairs missions of the organization, as well as the day to day administration. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of the MA Retail Merchants Workers Compensation Group, Inc., a non-profit group organized by RAM in 1991. He also heads the Retailers Association of Massachusetts Health Insurance Cooperative, the first non-profit small business health insurance cooperative authorized in 2012 by the Commonweath.

Hurst has served on various state advisory boards, including current roles with the Economic Development Planning Council, the Statewide Healthcare Quality Advisory Committee, the Health Policy Commission Advisory Council, and the Workforce Competitive Trust Fund Advisory Committee. Hurst has served on numerous non-profit boards, including the Beverly YMCA, Beverly Main Streets, the National Retail Federation, and also served as Chairman of the National Association of State Retail Association Executives. Prior to serving at RAM, he worked in public affairs roles for the Hershey Foods Corporation and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, as well as at the Ohio House of Representatives. Hurst graduated from the Ohio State University in 1981. He and his wife, Jan, have three grown sons and reside in Beverly, Massachusetts.

The annual James E. Chisholm Leader in Business Award will be awarded during the evening to recognize the value of dedicated business leadership. This annual award is presented to a business leader by the Chamber in memory of the founder of JC Marketing Associates who died in 2012. The recipient exemplifies the spirit of Jim’s generosity, guidance, and support of local business and organizations. In addition to the Leader in Business Award, the Chamber will present a Business of the Year Award and a community award from the Wakefield Police Department.

The annual meeting is open to members and nonmembers alike. The cost is $40 per person for members, $45 per person for non-members and includes dinner. A cash bar will also be available. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce (781) 245-0741 or via email at john@wakefieldlynnfieldchamber.org.