Andrews currently serves customers from Farris Insurance’s Morganton and Connelly Springs offices. Altogether, she has worked in the insurance industry for nearly 20 years, but her employer said she is much more than member of the staff.

“First and foremost, Christine is a servant, in both her professional and personal life,” said Kevin Farris who along with brothers, Rick and Tim, own the insurance firm. “At work, she is tireless in her pursuit of solutions to every customer’s individual needs.  In the community, she is active in her family’s church, her children’s schools and in the Chamber as an Ambassador. At Farris Insurance, we consider her a member of the family.  Her willingness to serve and her desire to be the best that she can be are two key ingredients to the recipe of how to become a great ambassador.”

Ambassadors serve as volunteers for the Chamber. Stacey Ripley, the Chamber’s Membership Development Director, oversees the Ambassadors program. She works personally with every Ambassador not only to help them make the most of their volunteer experience but also to make their service to the Chamber and its members as meaningful as possible.

“Ambassadors represent many of our 400-plus member businesses and serve as a critical link between the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, its members and the greater business community,” Ripley said.  “You’ll see them assisting the staff at ribbon cuttings and open houses for new or expanding businesses and the wide variety of special events sponsored by the Chamber. They are up and coming community leaders, too, so we routinely call on them for their ideas and suggestions on ways to add value to the programs and services we offer as part of Chamber membership.”

Three outgoing members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors were also recognized at the Annual Meeting. Board Chairman Scott Mulwee presented plaques honoring Richard DeAugustinis, Linda Lindsey and Kenneth W. Wood for their years of service to the organization and to Burke County’s business community.

Ripley said the Chamber welcomes new volunteers from companies who are currently members or are planning to join. For more information, call the Burke County Chamber of Commerce at 828-437-3021.

Four state lawmakers will be our guests on Friday, March 21, when the Chamber hosts the annual Legislative Reception from 8-930 am at the Community House in Morganton.

State Representatives Hugh Blackwell, Mike Hager and Josh Dobson and State Senator Warren Daniel will preview the upcoming Short Session of the NC General Assembly that begins in May. Tickets to the Legislative Reception are $15.00, and seating is limited, so call the Chamber today to reserve your seats at 828-437-3021 or e-mail Dorothea Jolly at djolly@burkecounty.org.

Space is filling up fast, so if you don’t make your reservations this week for the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, here’s a partial list of what you’ll miss:

– A selection of delicious foods and desserts by JD’s Smokehouse, Downtown Delights, My Local Bakery and Reed’s Catering
– Local libations by Silver Fork Winery and Fonta Flora Brewery
– Live music by a string quartet
– Networking opportunities at every turn
– The presentation of our Ambassador of the Year Award

The event will be held next Tuesday, February 25, at CoMMA from 6-7:30 pm. To encourage all Chamber members to attend, the ticket price has been reduced to $25 per person this year from last year’s $40 price.  To join the fun, call the Chamber at 828-437-3021 or e-mail Dorothea (djolly@burkecounty.org) to purchase your tickets. By the way, your ticket price includes two complimentary beverages, so what’s not to like?. Special thanks go to Farris Insurance, our 2014 Gold Sponsor for the Annual Meeting.