Chamber Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Installation of New Boards of Directors

In 1925, less than 5,000 people called Hernando County home, and in that same year, Brooksville was incorporated as a town. Spring Hill wasn’t even on the drawing board. That would come forty-two years later. Yet even with such a small population, the business leaders decided they needed an organization to further their interests and those of the community. Thus, the County’s Chamber of Commerce was born. Now, the population numbers are upwards of 200,000, and the Chamber has reflected that growth and has kept pace with it.

On Wednesday, January 22nd, members of that group celebrated the 100th anniversary of the chamber at their monthly breakfast. They also installed the new Executive Board of Directors and the CETA (Chamber Education Training Association) Board. The meeting was held at VFW Post 10209.

Simply Healthcare was the breakfast sponsor, and Erika Pam, the area field sales and service representative, addressed the group. Simply Healthcare has been in business for more than eighty-two years and is a five-star provider of Medicare Advantage plans. It offers comprehensive coverage and wellness programs to seniors and the disabled. Simply Healthcare offers HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans. In addition to its own plans, it works with well-known providers such as Optimum.

One of the points Ms. Pam emphasized was that anyone on Medicare should look at the literature their insurance companies send out at the end of each year outlining changes in their plan. This will ensure that they are getting the best coverage possible and allow them to compare the benefits of other plans.

The following individuals were installed as the 2025 Executive Board of Directors:
Chair – Nick Holmes, Holmes Drafting Services, LLC; Chair-Elect – Sanda Bassett, Air Source Cooling & Heating LLC; Secretary – Jamie Kennedy, Ackley Dental;
Treasurer – Tyler Stapleton, Capital City Bank.

The following businesses were Table Toppers for the meeting. That means that they had their literature on display and were available to talk to people about their businesses.

USA Benefits Group, YMCA of the Suncoast – Hernando County, Brewer and Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, You Thrive, Posability, Lucas, Macyszyn and Dyer Law Firm.

New members were recognized, as well. These included:
Keith Taylor Law Group, Floor Coating Specialists North, Be Seen Pro Hernando Citrus, Better Together, Elite Vision Sports Academy, Hernando Oaks Golf and Country Club, ApeShot Productions, Elite Insurance Solutions, Imperial Pressure Washing and Paver Sealing.

If you’re a business, organization, church, or individual, membership in the Hernando Chamber of Commerce gives you an amazing return on your investment. Some of the benefits include credibility in the community and among your peers; networking and marketing opportunities, leadership training, and advocacy.

For more information, go to www.hernandochamber.com, call 352-796-0697, or email: [email protected]