Next PNL on July 17… Mark your calendars and plan to attend the next Power Networking Luncheon on Tuesday, July 17 at the River Park Inn, 350 S. Freeway. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. with the networking portion of the program beginning at 11:45 a.m. SHARP. Bring plenty of business cards to exchange. To RSVP, click here. Cost for the luncheon is $20.

Two Tucson business leaders contribute to TMCC/TCCE Scholarship Fund… C. Travis Watkins, owner of Twin Palms Car Wash Detail and Oil Center, is a new member of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Business Education Partnership (BEP) Committee. His business donated 30% of all proceeds earned from June 21-24 to the Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment (the Tucson Chamber’s foundation) Scholarship Fund. In addition, Justin Walenta, VP and Branch Manager of the Bank of The West’s Tucson-Creekside Branch, donated $3,000 toward the TCCE Scholarship Fund in May. Local student Hannah Goodman was the recipient of the $3,000 scholarship and will be attending the University of Arizona this fall. Both Watkins and Walenta will participate as moderators during the roundtable sessions at the State of Education Luncheon, scheduled to take place on Oct. 3.

Be a part of our Business Education Partnership (BEP) Committee… The Business Education Partnership (BEP) Committee begins its meetings for the 2007-2008 session with many new members. The focus of the BEP is providing workforce development programs and activities by bringing professional business members into the classroom through the Chamber’s “Speakers Bureau.” Chamber business leaders provide guidance on basic work functions, soft skills, interview and resume skills, scholarship and financial aid (PCC or U of A), work ethics and public speaking, as well as information on specific topics such as solar system exploration, space policy, environmental issues, economic growth and the media. The next BEP meeting will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Chamber’s Conference Room. Contact Arlene, 792-2250 ext. 135, to receive an invitation to join the monthly BEP meetings.

State of Education (SOE) luncheon panelists confirmed… Several business and education leaders are participating in the SOE this year. The recent list of education leaders includes Dr. Robert Shelton, President of The University of Arizona; Dr. Haeger, President of Northern Arizona University, which is a part of the new PCC/NAU Alliance; Dr. Susan Aldridge, President of the University of Maryland University College (UMUC); and, Dr. Roy Flores, Chancellor of Pima Community College. Additional business leaders will be invited to join our educators on the panel. Dr. Linda Arzoumanian, Superintendent of Pima County Schools, will be the luncheon moderator and Dr. Lyn Olsen, Pima Community College, will be the roundtable moderator. We look forward to an extraordinary State of Education Luncheon this year to fund the Chamber’s six annual scholarships. Look for your invitation in August for this Oct. 3 event. Contact Cheryll Frazier at 792-2250 ext. 133 for additional information.

Chamber business leaders participating in Apprenticeship Program… The Business Development Division of the Chamber and the UA Career Resource Center have been coordinating a first-time Apprenticeship Program within the past year. The Chamber and UA are committed to promoting workforce education and retaining the “Best and Brightest” from the student body of the University of Arizona. The Apprenticeship Program will allow students to experience a practical work environment within the engineering industry in Tucson with the potential for full-time employment at the conclusion of their two-year program, thus addressing the retention of quality UA students after graduation. Many prestigious Chamber business leaders have begun the final steps toward working on the selection of students for this two-year industry/engineering Apprenticeship Program. Students will be placed by the beginning of the 2007-08 academic year.