December Holiday Luncheon
Celebrating 2025 and Looking Forward to 2026 - Holiday Membership Luncheon
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, we held our annual Holiday Membership Luncheon sponsored by Rockit Careers. We had a great crowd, festively dressed and ready to celebrate and connect with fellow members. As members arrived, they enjoyed a Photo Booth provided by The Party Inc. and large Holiday Balloon displays provided by GB's Balloon Delights.
We began our meeting by saying the Pledge of Allegiance and welcoming our City Officials and Guests. Next, we thanked Rockit Careers for sponsoring our luncheon and invited Brian Young to say a few words about the employment services they provide to businesses and individuals. Sponsor Slides. Then David Peterson, 2025 Chamber Board President, and Allen Burnett, Chamber Membership Chair, thanked those who helped support the Chamber this past year. They recognized our 2025 Board of Directors, Ambassadors, Committees, Volunteers, and McCarty Photography. Next, we introduced three new members and presented them with their plaques:
- Dr. Joe Yazdi, Carrie Dobler, and Anna Facenda with Arch Aesthetics
- Ken Daniels and Syntia Brown with The Silhouettes of StL (website not up yet, but you can visit Ahoy Therapy LLC until it is up)
- Erika Atkins with
Oh London
Arch Aesthetics
Dr. Joe Yazdi, Carrie Dobler, and Anna Facenda
The Silhouettes of StL
Syntia Brown and Ken Daniels
Oh London Restaurant
Erika Atkins
Following lunch, Tom Lancia, Executive Director for the Chamber, made a few announcements and thanked the Chamber Membership and Staff for making 2025 a great year. Tom shared that we have welcomed 109 new members so far this year.
Next, David Peterson with Auris Payroll and our current Chamber Board President, presented Mark St. George with Zoplex, the President's Gavel, and introduced him as our 2026 Chamber Board President. As Mark's first duty as president, he gave David a clock in appreciation for his year of leadership as President of the Board. The clock reads, "In recognition of your outstanding leadership, dedication to serving the members of the Chamber of Commerce & Commitment to promoting a strong and vibrant business community."
In addition to recognizing our new president, we invited
Mayor Sidney Clark from the
City of Olivette to install our
2026 Board of Directors. During the installation, the Board raised its right hand and committed to its role in serving the mission of the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber, as well as the duties and responsibilities of serving on the Board of Directors.
Handing over the President Gavel
Mark St. George (2026 Board)
David Peterson (2025 Board)
2026 Board of Directors
Installation of the Board
Next, we recognized our 2025 Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award to Tammy Halveland. The award is given to an individual for their involvement in and dedication to the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce. Tammy is a successful real estate agent with the Krista Hartman Home Team RE/MAX Results. Over the past few years, Tammy has been a great help in leading our "It's Just Networking 2" group and volunteering for Chamber events. She also attends as many meetings as her schedule allows. She also volunteers for the Special Olympics as a head coach of her Falcons team. Tammy has a big heart and is a great representative for welcoming, inviting, and supporting new and regular members.
Volunteer of the Year
Tammy Halveland
Following the award presentation, we all enjoyed our Holiday Gift Exchange. Then we invited our three finalists to come forward for our "Most Festively Dressed" contest. The winner was Becky Ringkamp-Wells with GB's Balloon Delights.
