Photos from February's Networking Meeting at Coastline Credit Union
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¡Bienvenidos a su nueva Conexión! Every spring, our lives are re-energized with the opportunities that lie ahead of us through the year. In a business climate such as we are now experiencing, the need for collaboration and partnership has never been greater. In that vein, we unveil Conexión, FCHCC's newsletter, to strengthen the ties of our business community.
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President's Message - Giselle Carson
 Want to learn more and take advantage of our thriving port? Then, don't miss our first 2009 multicultural event hosted by JAXPORT. The event will provide a unique opportunity to tour the port and learn about port expansion, cruise development and local and global business opportunities. TraPac's new terminal at Dames Point, which will be part of the port tour, is expected to generate close to a billion dollars annually in economic benefits!
I thank Coastline Credit Union for a terrific networking event full of educational tips to survive in this difficult economy, tasty appetizers and great networking and camaraderie. For a peek of this inspiring event, please see the photographs from this event included in this newsletter. The education and networking opportunities provided by the FCHCC will increase your success in creating the business and lifestyle of your dreams. To your success!! And, if needed, may the luck of the Irish be with you! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Giselle
Board Member's Message - Betzy Santiago
 As we begin our 2009 journey, I would like to introduce myself as your new President-Elect and Program's Committee Chair for 2009 FCHCC. My name is Betzy Santiago. I was born in Puerto Rico, and have had the pleasure to have lived in St. Croix, Texas and now Florida. In 1993, my husband Angel and I relocated to Jacksonville. Since then, Jacksonville has become our home. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Business Management at UNF and shortly after my Real Estate license. Today, I am a full-time matchmaker. I work with buyers, sellers, renters, and vendors to find creative solutions to their housing and other needs as well.
I attended my first FCHCC meeting in 2003. I had no idea this group would come to mean so much to me. My experiences with the Chamber have helped me grow, meet people from all walks of life, and given me a sense of pride in regards to my Hispanic heritage - all for which I am eternally thankful.
I want to invite you to our first Multicultural Mixer for 2009. This is one you absolutely do NOT want to miss! The event will offer two business tracks -- the first will discuss ways to develop a local business and the second will deal with how to expand from a global perspective. We all know what can happen to a business when it does not stay ahead of the curve. We have to be passionately customer focused and continue to readdress and redefine the services and products we offer in order to stay competitive. Register early - we are expecting a big crowd!
Come discover new ways to not only stay in business, but expand locally and globally! I look forward to seeing you on March 19 at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal!
Betzy
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Membership Spotlight - Lou Sobh's Honda of the Avenues
Lou Sobh's Honda of the Avenues, located at 11333 Philips Highway in Jacksonville, is an open, airy showroom full of smiling faces. This state-of-the-art facility is the newest dealership in the Lou Sobh organization, and it carries a rich heritage.
Born in 1944 in the city of Torreon, Mexico, Monir Lou Sobh immigrated as a teenager in 1960 to Gary, Indiana. His first job in the automotive industry was as a sales consultant in a local Ford dealership. Within a few years, he would be part-owner of the dealership. This was only the start of what grew to be an organization of 16 facilities across the country, from Illinois to California, then to Pensacola, Florida, and finally to Jacksonville.
What is the key to Mr. Sobh's success? The philosophy goes something like this: If you are paid to mop floors, you should be the best floor-mopper there is; if you are paid to sell cars, you should be the very best car salesman there is. And of course, if you are the president of a large automotive organization, you should be the very best you can be. This ethic is evidenced in everything Mr. Sobh does, and as a result he was honored by President Bush for "Living the American Dream" and invited to participate in the Economic Forum at the White house.
Balance is another important element in Mr. Sobh's life. Along with his wife Georgia, and oldest son Michael, Mr. Sobh is involved with many civic and community organizations, giving generously of his time and resources, such as the Latin American Association in Atlanta, Georgia. The executive director of the LAA, Maritza Pichon, described Mr. Sobh in an interview with PRNewswire. "Lou Sobh knows firsthand the difficulties and challenges involved in immigrating to a new country. We are privileged that he and his family have always given back to the community."
This philosophy of being the best he can be and giving back to the community has helped Mr. Sobh to build his successful business and to attract they type of automotive professionals who will add to that success. How does he choose his team? "Normally, I try to pick people who fit a certain mold. They have to be people's people. They've got to be customer friendly. They've got to be honest. They've got to want to serve. We are here to service the needs of the people."
It must be working. Currently, Lou Sobh's Honda of the Avenues is the #1 Honda dealer in Jacksonville. How does Mr. Sobh feel about the success of his newest establishment? "I'm not going to say we're better than anybody, but I know that there isn't anybody better than us," said Mr. Sobh. "Jacksonville is a great automobile town, and I feel that it is a city with a lot of future."
Visit Lou Sobh's Honda of the Avenues online at www.thehondagiant.com.
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IRS Offers Tips to Avoid Recovery Rebate Credit Confusion
 Some individuals who did not get the economic stimulus payment, and a
smaller number of those who did, may be eligible for the recovery
rebate credit. However, most taxpayers who received the economic
stimulus payment last year will not qualify for the recovery rebate
credit on their 2008 federal income tax return.
An early
sampling of tax returns shows about 15 percent have errors involving
the recovery rebate credit. Some tax returns erroneously claim the
credit, do not claim the proper amount of recovery rebate credit or
mistakenly enter the amount of the stimulus payment they received on
the recovery rebate credit line. To avoid delays in tax refunds, it is
critical that taxpayers know the correct amount of the stimulus payment
they received last year, if any, to help determine whether they qualify
for the recovery rebate credit now.
For more information, visit the Recovery Rebate Credit Information Center as well as the rebate questions and answers on IRS.gov.
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March 2009 Calendar of Events
Multicultural Business Growth & Networking Event
Date: March 19th, 2009
Time: 4:30 - 7 PM
Location: JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
Address: 9810 August Drive (4 miles East of Zoo Drive, 1/3 Mile West of 9A off of Hecksher) Jacksonville, FL, 32226
Event is free for FCHCC, JAAA, FCAACC & IndoUS members
Non-members and non-RSVP's $10 at the door
RSVP: by March 17th
Additional Info:
Track 1 - Local [RSVP to select this Track]
How to Find Local Business in the New Economy
5 - 6 p.m. Cruise Terminal
Presenters Dr. Carleton Robinson, President, First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce and Yetunde Oyewole, JAXPORT's Small and Emerging Business Coordinator, will share ideas and encourage discussion with participants on how to tap into business opportunities at JAXPORT and in our local market.
Track 2 - Global [RSVP to select this Track]
Grow your Business Globally, Importing and Exporting Opportunities
5 - 6 p.m. Bus Tour of the new TraPac Container Terminal at
Dames Point
Participants will get an exclusive bus tour of our region's newest Asian trade terminal, the TraPac Container Terminal at Dames Point, and the booming Blount Island Marine Terminal. Learn how to tap into our local resources to grow your business globally by importing and/or exporting.
Business-to-Business Networking
6 - 7 p.m. JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
Heavy hors d'oeuvres and punch will be served
Bring plenty of business cards to share with your peers and colleagues. Statistics show that it's easy to get a quick Return On Your Investment and Time by doing business within your local community. So, come out to learn who might need your product(s) and/or services(s).
Visit www.fchcc.com for future meeting dates. |
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The Movie "CHE" Playing NOW at Five Points Theatre
 Parts 1 and 2 of the American produced movie, "CHE" starring Benicio del Toro is showing at the Five Points Theatre located at 1022 Park Street for a week beginning February 27th. Part 1 shows the time Che spent in Cuba will begin at 6 PM and Part 2 continues with the South American portion of his life which will start at 8:30 PM each night. The movies are in Spanish with English subtitles. Admission is $8.50 for adults. Beer, wine, fresh pizza as well as all of the normal theatre concessions are served. For more information and showtimes, visit here. |
FCHCC Has a New Email Address
 As we continue to enhance our organization, you will notice small changes. One of these changes our general chamber email address is now fchcc@fchcc.com. Please update your address books and use this email for any communications.
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Job Opportunities
Position: Receptionist position opening for an Independent
Insurance Agency
Employer: The Holmes Organization of Florida
Position: Manager - Financial Reporting
Employer: Crowley Maritime Corporation
Position: Sr. Planning Analyst
Employer: Crowley Maritime Corporation
Position: Senior Credit/Collections Coordinator - Bilingual (Spanish/English)
Position: Bilingual Staffing Coordinator
Employer: Remedy Staffing
Position: Senior Accountant
Employer: Crowley Maritime Corp.
Responsible
for the more complex activities associated with maintaining ledger
accounts and for developing financial statements and reports. Develops
ad hoc queries to support their activities, coordinates functions with
other departments to comply with accounting processing. Responsible for
research, preparations of complex PC reports to control project support
and other projects assigned. Maintains various activities associated
with sub systems and general ledger. May be responsible for credit
analysis and legal/collection agency interface functions. Assists
manager in development of procedures and controls and utilizes numerous
systems in support of their duties. Position may provide functional
advice or training to less experienced accounting personnel and may in
some cases include supervisory responsibility.
5 - 7 years experience in accounting. Excellent knowledge of various
operating and accounting systems and general administration. Proficient
in accounting systems and database structures. Must possess skill sets
and demonstrate proven experience developing, improving and
streamlining processes to meet established goals and
objectives. Requires the ability to effectively manage projects that
may vary in nature and scope.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Maritime Corporation
Attn: Human Resources Dept.
E-mail resume to: resumes@crowley.com
Bachelors degree required, with emphasis on accounting, business or finance preferred.
Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred.
Employer: Crowley Maritime Corp.For more information or to apply for any of these positions, please visit our website here.
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Trustee Program
 The
FCHCC recognizes the leadership and support of these leading
organizations which are also our trustees.
If you would like additional information
about this important program, please click here to learn more. |
FCHCC Accepts Credit Card Payments for New Memberships and Renewals
You can now pay to join FCHCC or renew your membership with any of these credit cards.
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To learn more about the FCHCC, please visit us on the web at www.fchcc.com. Or send us e-mail at: fchcc@fchcc.com.
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