Staff
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Coy Smith
Chief Executive Officer A long and successful history of fundraising and working with non-profit businesses, plus management experience are among the talents that Coy Smith brings to his position as CEO of the Novato Chamber of Commerce. He has been the CEO of the Novato Chamber since 2005. He received his credential as an Accredited Chamber Executive Graduate in 2007 from the Western Association of Chamber Executives. Coy serves on the Economic Development Commission for the City of Novato, and on the Board of Directors of Superior Chamber Executives of Northern California. Prior to work in the Chamber field, Coy was employed in several capacities in the recycling industry of over 25 years where he received several state and national awards for his work. During that time he worked for the private sector, government agencies and the non-profit sector in various management capacities to implement recycling programs and policies. Coy was one of fifty individuals in the United States to be selected by President Bill Clinton to serve on a task force to develop a National Recycling Policy. He is one of the founders of the Novato Charter School and has served on numerous local state and national Boards of Directors over the past thirty years. Coy has a BS degree from San Jose State University in Environmental Studies with a minor in Communications. He lives in Petaluma with his two sons. |
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Liz Watson
Director of Communications & Leadership As Director of Communications and Leadership, Liz Watson taps a diverse background of journalism and news reporting, public relations, events planning and promotion, product launch and strategic communications consulting. Fascinated by the “human side of business,” Liz enjoys working with small businesses as well as major corporations to respond to the inevitability of change – not if but when. The delivery of a consistent message, developed with a grasp of the marketplace and intended audience, is crucial. It is this interest in business communication that brought her to the Novato Chamber of Commerce in the summer of 2008.
Liz's previous experience in public relations, marketing and advertising for Nevada-based entertainment corporations, including Lake Tahoe's Harvey's Resort Hotel/Casino and MGM Grand, brought her closer to corporate communications consulting and, in the 1990s, to Marin County. She worked on projects for Fireman’s Fund, Apple Computers, Kaiser Permanente, and the International Associations of Machinists. Other clients have included Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority, Lake Tahoe Community College, the City of Carson City, Nevada; Tahoe Mountain News and the El Dorado County Departments of Public Health and Mental Health. From 2000 to 2002, she coordinated business and home disaster preparedness education and recovery strategies for the City of Carson City, Nevada.
Reach her at 415-209-1281 or liz@novatochamber.com. |
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James Cooper
Membership Relations Manager The Novato Chamber of Commerce’s Membership Relations Manager has a long history of relationship management stretching back over twenty years. James has worked in several industries including real estate, hospitality and entertainment, providing him with a strong foundation in the kind of “people skills” that make a positive impact immediately. He has worked as a Corporate Marketing Director for a well-known real estate franchiser, has run several companies as General Manager, and most recently worked as a Business Services Rep for a non-profit agency in Solano County. James has been active in his local chamber by attending various Chamber events, sitting on the Economic Development Committee, and working on two sub-committees formed to create and support events designed to increase local business traffic.
These past positions have provided James numerous opportunities to create and build strong relationships with business owners, managers, and leadership boards from all industries and backgrounds. His position as Membership Relations Manager requires quickly understanding the needs of local businesses and fleshing out how the Chamber can play a positive role for its membership, skills he has spent his career building. James believes all Chamber members greatly benefit from being a part of our organization, and works hard to ensure those benefits are clearly defined. He also understands that there are often issues in which the Chamber can only play a supportive role, and he will be there to support you. Regardless of the reason, James wants all members to know he is always available to talk or meet in person.
On a personal note, James is married with two daughters, and currently resides in Vallejo. He holds an MBA with a Global Management focus and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, both achieved online with the University of Phoenix. He has been recognized regionally for his outstanding work with non-profits such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, and the Special Olympics, and has won Manager and Salesperson awards from private sector employers.
The best way to reach James is by e-mail (James@NovatoChamber.com) or by phone (415-897-1164). |
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Kris Wiley, CMP
Office Manager/Special Events Coordinator Professional meeting & event planning and executive assistant experience are two of the reasons Kris Wiley was selected office manager and special events coordinator for the Novato Chamber of Commerce. Her duties as office manager, include assisting visitors, customer service, maintaining the membership database and making sure the office is running smoothly.
She will also be the staff liason for the Business Education, Women in Business, Golf and Business Showcase Committees, working with them to produce Strategies for Success events; Women In Business luncheons and Summerfest; the annual Business Showcase and Golf tournament.
Kris has served for 7 years as a Chamber Ambassador through her affiliation with Soroptimist International of Novato, a professional women’s service organization. Kris has been a member of Soroptimist for 21 years and has served as the Club’s President four times. She is chair of the Fashion Show/Luncheon, the main fundraiser for this group, held in April.
Kris has been an independent meeting and event planner with the professional designation as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) for 9 years, prior to that she was a corporate meeting and event planner for Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. She has planned all kinds of events including corporate meetings, incentive programs, team building and wedding receptions.
Kriss grew up in Terra Linda and has lived in Novato since 1982, where she raised her son Jamie. You can reach her at (415) 209-1282 or kris@novatochamber.com
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Danielle Hendricks
Office Administrator Danielle Hendricks is the efficient, resourceful and welcoming face of Novato Visitor Center (NVC). She fields queries from travelers, soothes frayed nerves and represents Novato in ways few could rival.
As full-time NCOC Office Administrator since mid-2010, she comes to the Chamber and NVC with a strong background in office support, is a full-time College of Marin Court Reporting major and a 2010 Leadership Novato candidate. She supports general Chamber functions and events and fellow NCOC staff.
Her tourism duties, expanded recently, include:
Most likely, Hendricks will also be the friendly person answering the phone when you call the Chamber. |
