Clayton Chamber of Commerce Appoints Schmitt President
2.21.11
St. Louis, MO – Danna McKitrick, P.C. attorney, Jeffrey R. Schmitt is the newest president of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce effective January 2011 for a one-year term. Schmitt succeeds Sabrina Robb in this role. Schmitt’s involvement in the Chamber began in 2006, as a participant in the Chamber’s Leadership Clayton program. He later served as co-chair of the Leadership Clayton program from 2008 to 2009, and joined the Chamber’s board of directors in 2008 for a three-year term.
Schmitt believes this is an exciting time for the Clayton Chamber of Commerce: “Despite a recovering economic climate, the Chamber’s growth exceeded expectations last year. New membership and renewals continue to rise which leads to a resurgence in participation in events and programs.” And his commitment to the Clayton Chamber is inspired, largely, by the high-level of participation of other local business owners and workers.
“Clayton is a unique business community because it combines a true commercial center with thriving tourism, successful restaurants and retailers, and exceptional educational institutions, from K-12 to world-class universities,” explains Schmitt.
“The residents of Clayton understand and appreciate the contributions of the business community and they, along with everyone from savvy entrepreneurs, to major international businesses like Enterprise and Brown Shoe, are deeply invested in Clayton and the city’s impact on our region.”
About what to expect from the Clayton Chamber of Commerce over the coming year, Schmitt has much to say:
“The Chamber continues to offer its members a range of business-related programming such as monthly Power Hour lunches, Leadership Clayton, and the State of the City event, as well as networking opportunities like the Art of Tasting and the Chamber Golf League. And for anyone (member or non-member) the Chamber is making available the opportunity to participate in Discover China—a coordinated trip to China at an incredible price. This is the first event of its kind for us, and we are excited about the early interest in this fall’s trip.
“We also just recently announced that the ever-popular Parties in the Park will, for the first time, move out of Shaw Park into Clayton’s central business district where Meramec Ave. will transform into a pedestrian street for one night a month, complete with food, drink, music and fun. We hope this move will stimulate traffic of local merchants and coincide with the city’s master plan for Clayton.”
About Jeff Schmitt: His commercial and general civil litigation practice includes financial and lending, construction, and real estate law, as well as providing general legal counsel for small to mid-sized businesses. Earning his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia and B.A. (magna cum laude) from Saint Louis University, he also completed the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy and Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers Trial Academy. He is a member of Transportation Lawyers Association and was named in 2010 as a “Young Lawyer You Should Know” by The Missouri Bar Young Lawyer’s Section. Schmitt is a member of the board at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.
About Clayton Chamber of Commerce: Since its founding in 1952, the Chamber has been an integral part of the Clayton community, helping area businesses uncover new opportunities in St. Louis and beyond. Members benefit from networking opportunities, legislative support, health insurance alternatives and a variety of other resources to increase business’ effectiveness. www.claytoncommerce.com
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