AMBASSADORS COUNCIL

Ambassadors for One SouthCoast Chamber are a volunteer group who respond to the needs of all members and reinforce the benefits of Chamber membership. The Ambassadors are a critical link between the Chamber and its new and existing members.

The mission of the Ambassador’s Council of One SouthCoast Chamber is to further the mission of the Chamber through one-on-one communications with members and new businesses in the community.

• Heighten member awareness and understanding of Chamber programs, services and objectives
• Serve as the “goodwill” arm of One SouthCoast Chamber
• Increase and strengthen the Chamber membership base through strong retention and recruitment efforts

• Visibility at Chamber functions and in some Chamber communications
• Develop leadership image by enhancing relevant professional programs and networking opportunities
• Networking with a variety of business professionals
• Firsthand updates from the President & Professional Staff of the Chamber and direct contact with decision-makers
• Ability to bring a guest to some programs at no cost
• Ability to recruit members immediately by being equipped with up-to-date membership materials

Ambassadors will be appointed as needed with the consultation of the Ambassadors Chairperson(s) and Chamber staff. Appointments to the council are for one year. Reappointment will be made at the end of the year.

If the council’s expectations are not met, a review of the Ambassador’s further participation will take place.

Ambassador Council meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of every month at a member restaurant.

Chris Johnson, Project Manager, Isaksen Solar

He brings with him over 20 years of sales and marketing experience.

He’s very active with One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce, serving as the Co-Chair of the Ambassador Committee. He has received a number of awards such as a Community Service Award, Ambassador of the Year, Presidents Award as well as Affiliate of the Year with the Realtor Association of Southeastern Mass. Utilizing his Culinary Arts Degree, Chris was in the restaurant industry for over a decade, managing restaurants and café’s from Nantucket to California. He is still a self proclaimed foodie so feel free to follow his Instagram page @cjjazzychef! He has also owned multiple businesses including a cleaning business as well as his own insurance business for 8 years.

Chris is the proud father of two and dedicates himself to his kids when he’s not working. Coincidentally, when he IS working, he dedicates himself to “notworking” (for those of you that don’t know, this is what he calls it when he’s networking)! Chris’s favorite part about his position at Isaksen Solar has been the ability to not only help people gain energy independence but earn their trust enough that they are willing to refer their friends and family to receive his help as well.

Sue Potter, Marketing Consultant, Townsquare Media

Sue represents Fun 107 & WBSM on all aspects of radio advertising to a complete digital package. She truly enjoys working with local businesses on the Southcoast and helping them grow. She has worked with One Southcoast Chamber for many years and feels that the Chamber has been a big influence on her career. She cherishes the many personal friendships she has also made during that time.

Albert Mui, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones

Edward Jones is a different kind of investment firm. To us, face time and think time make sense. We meet with you to learn your individual needs so we can develop a strategy to help you achieve your long-term financial goals. Therefore, whether you want to plan for retirement, save for college, reduce your tax bills or ensure you have income to cover your expenses, you can expect personalized service and long-term investing strategies instead of the latest investment fads. Join the nearly 7 million investors who know. Contact me today to help develop an investment strategy that makes sense for you.

Tom Menchi, Vice President of Fixed Operations and Community Relations, Toyota of Dartmouth

A SouthCoast resident for over 30 years, Tom Menchi has been an advocate for local businesses while remaining civically engaged. Tom is a graduate of Milton High School and Burdette Business School in Boston. As a hands-on, loyal employee for Toyota of Dartmouth for more than three decades, he has managed and directed several departments. Today, he is the Vice President of Fixed Operations and Community Relations and supervises a staff of more than 25 technicians and employees.

Happily married for 45 years, with two children and three grandchildren, Tom has dedicated his little free time to the advancement of the SouthCoast region.

One of his main priorities is to develop Toyota’s personnel while preparing and retaining our future workforce. Tom works directly with all local vocational high schools, MTTI Technical Institute, New England Tech, and Mass Bay Community College as an Advisory Volunteer Member.

Under Tom’s leadership, Toyota has supported countless community programs that are a driving force behind the betterment of the SouthCoast. They are major sponsors for Junior Achievement, Bristol Community College Earth Day Fair, the Boy Scouts of Westport, and the Lion’s Club of Mattapoisett.

A front-runner in Economic Development, Tom is an active Ambassador for One SouthCoast Chamber. He hosts annual networking events that connect local organizations and business professionals generating new partnerships. Tom works diligently every day to ensure that Toyota’s operations have a positive impact on the SouthCoast’s economic environment and enhance our quality of life.

John J. Danahey, Jr., Managing Partner – Systems Engineering, Digital Tech Partners, Inc.

John Danahey is a Senior Information Technology Professional leveraging three decades of experience with increasing levels of responsibility.  Unique qualifications include industry certifications and hands on experience with technologies ranging from software development to cybersecurity.  Prior to becoming an entrepreneur John held two different Department Head roles at MITRE Corporation.  He is credentialed by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification – Accreditation Body, Professional Identification Number #2496.

First Sergeant Danahey (ret.) completed his service to the Nation and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Guard upon completion of his twenty-third year.  Awards include the Bronze Star for combat service during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, and the Order of Saint Barbara for his contribution to the Field Artillery community.

John is a three year One SouthCoast Chamber Ambassador and actively supports our members and the communities we serve.  He liberally shares information relevant to the membership by conducting seminars and webinars for both the Chamber and the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center.

Held in highest regard in his personal life are his mother, wife, and four children.  John is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Rotary Club International, the Massachusetts Freemasons, and the National Rifle Association.

His hobbies include boating, fishing, golfing, and hunting.

Lisa Lebreux, Director of Marketing, Prosper Fall River

Lisa’s usually the first person to step up and lend a helping hand. She has been active in the Community for a long time and enjoys giving back. She has many years of experience in Health Care and Marketing. In her current role, she helps older adults start a new chapter of their life in an Assisted Living setting and has found it rewarding to see them become an active part of the Prosper Community.

She has formed so many wonderful relationships over the years. During her tenure as President of the Fall River Rotary Club (2019-2020), Lisa was instrumental in starting the “Blessing Bag Project.” This project gets toiletry items into the community through various organizations. Since this project launched, over 500 bags have been distributed into the Fall River community.

Lisa is also a past president of the American Business Women’s Association, a member of the Little Compton Wellness Board, East Bay Chamber, and many other networking groups. Lisa’s dedication to the community earned her the Bristol Community College Outstanding Service Award and The Chamber’s Ambassador of the year award. Being an Ambassador for the One-South Coast Chamber has given her the opportunity to meet new people and welcome new businesses into the community.

As the past owner of Scrapbook Village, her talents for scrapbooking have helped fund tens of thousands of dollars for Breast Cancer Research, an organization that is personally near and dear to her heart.

Lisa and her husband, Rick, have been married for 32 years and have 2 grown sons’. She loves to cook and share her meals with family and friends. Her favorite past times is going the beach, the mountains, kayaking and walking. This fall, she is looking forward to taking horseback riding lessons.

At the end of the day, Lisa is most happy when she has made a difference in someone’s life.

Patrick Duelfer, Marketing Consultant/AE WPRI -12 Media

Patrick has been in the television ad/marketing arena for 25+ years.  Patrick’s first 15 years in the business were spent in New York, NY selling national spot TV advertising & as a northeast rep for Nielsen Media.  His career path then led to WSTM-TV, the NBC affiliate in Syracuse, NY for 3 years where he got his first real taste of local TV sales.  With a place always in his heart for New England, Patrick jumped at an opportunity to work for CW Providence in 2014 which ultimately led to his current position at WPRI-TV, Channel 12 (CBS/FOX) when the CW was acquired in 2017 by Nexstar Broadcasting.  Patrick has been a dedicated Chamber Ambassador since 2019 and works closely with the One SouthCoast’s CEO’s, staff and fellow members.  The 2022 launch of the Chamber’s “Business Spotlight” TV campaign is the result of a collaboration between WPRI and One SouthCoast, spearheaded by Rick Kidder, Mike O’Sullivan and Patrick.  Patrick is also on the Westport B2B Board and an active member of the Bristol County Business Connect group. A native New Yorker, Patrick lives with his wife Tara in Newport, RI.  Patrick graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY with a B.A. in English/Communications.

Beth Andre, Admissions Representative, Rob Roy Academy

Beth has over 10 years’ experience of helping others to reach their career aspirations in the Cosmetology, Barber, and Esthetics field. As a licensed Cosmetologist herself and a graduate of Rob Roy Academy, every day is an opportunity to share her passion with the next generation of graduates in this rapidly growing industry.

Beth serves as an Ambassador for One Southcoast Chamber of Commerce and on the Fall River Planning Board. She is very active at chamber events, women’s business luncheons, and ribbon cuttings for new businesses.

She is a first generation American born to Portuguese immigrants that created a well-known successful tailoring business in Fall River, MA. Many know of the family business, Andre’ the Tailor. Watching the example her parents set for her, she gained valuable exposure and experience in commerce and the importance of building community relationships.  With that in mind, every relationship and rapport she builds with local businesses and patrons is a nod to her late father.

She wears many hats as a proud wife, mother of two, and recently became a grandmother to baby Zaara. Family is everything to her and so is her community. As a lifelong resident, she is a lover of all things Fall River from local dining as an avid foodie, to community events, and she loves to dance. She values her friendships and loves to help and serve people as she takes pride in her many roles personally and professionally.

Cindy Ko, Owner, Cindy Ko Photography and Boudoir by Cindy Ko

Cindy started photography in 2016 and has not stopped since. She is the owner of Cindy Ko Photography and Boudoir by Cindy Ko. Cindy is a board member of PPAM (Professional Photographers of Massachusetts) and a member of PPA (Professional Photographers of America), where she is consistently keeping up with new education and trends. Cindy’s passion is creating tangible memories that will not be stuck on a hard drive. For that reason, she partners with the best professional printers and craftsmen in the world to create exceptional pieces of wall art and albums for her clients to treasure. Her main genres are Boudoir, Families, and Headshots/Personal Branding. Cindy resides in Mattapoisett, Ma and services the surrounding areas, including Rhode Island, and towns past Boston (she has done work in other states as well for corporate companies). You can find more of her work on www.cindykophotography.com.

Kristen Gomes, Gomes Selling Homes/The Wandering Pour

Kristen Gomes is a full-time REALTOR licensed in MA + RI. She is a part of a two-person team with her husband Nickko, together they are known as Gomes Selling Homes. She helps buyers and sellers get into this market confidently and to the closing table with ease. Kristen also launched a second business, The Wandering Pour, a mobile bartender service. As an Ambassador for the One Southcoast Chamber Kristen loves the ability to help support her local community by connecting with other business owners at networking events and building relationships with them. She continues to plan and organize the ever-popular monthly Women’s Lunch through the chamber. From homeownership, investing in real estate and the community, Kristen is here for you.

David W. DeCamp, President, All Security Co.

All Security Co., was founded with the thought of providing solutions to security challenges, while delivering that solution with a P.O.C.E. “Positively Outrageous Client Experience.” We feel that while we are delivering a product, that the “Client Experience” starts with the initial contact and then grows into a long lasting relationships.

We understand that the Client is looking for and deserves a “one call does it all” company and that is why we are called All Security.

Kathy Pendergast, Mallard Printing

Kathy Pendergast boasts an illustrious 38-year career in the printing industry, with the last 22 years dedicated to driving sales at Mallard Printing. Established in 1998, Mallard Printing is a cornerstone of the Fall River, Massachusetts business community, renowned for its exceptional printing solutions. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including graphic design, offset, digital and large format printing, mailing services, promotional products, and embroidered apparel.

An active Ambassador since 2004, Kathy plays a vital role in the Fall River Chamber of Commerce. She is a familiar face at numerous networking events, including Business After Hours and new business ribbon-cutting ceremonies, where her commitment to fostering business connections is evident. A lifelong resident of Fairhaven, Kathy’s dedication to her community and profession is truly exemplary.

Arti Pacheco, Insurance Professional with New York Life

Arti is very active with the One Southcoast Chamber and serves on the Board of Directors as well as an Ambassador, Small business and DEI committees.

Arti as been an active member of the Fall River Rotary Club for fourteen years and co-chairs the Membership and the DEI committee and currently serves on DEI board of directors for Rotary 7950. Arti is also active with the Greater Providence Chamber and the MLGBT Chamber. As the Chair of the SCHR Council, Arti is responsible for scheduling meetings and speaker content as well as helping businesses with any issues they might have.

Arti has a bachelor’s degree in Business and speaks, reads, and writes Portuguese. Arti takes pride in networking and being known as being a “ go to” person and is always there to help those in need.