The South Lake Chamber of Commerce Breakfast was held on May 20 at the Clermont City Center in downtown Clermont.  The room was filled to capacity with community and business leaders as well as business professionals.
 
Below are highlights of the business breakfast. 
 
Aimee Stanley, the Board Chair of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce, was the program Emcee:
 
Curtis Wynn, CEO of SECO Energy

Curtis Wynn, CEO of SECO Energy, was the featured speaker

Curtis Wynn was hired by the SECO Energy Board of Trustees in 2021 and joined the large and fast-growing Florida cooperative in mid-December.  He served for 24 years as President and CEO of Roanoke Electric Cooperative in North Carolina before making the move to SECO Energy.
 

Wynn’s career in energy is rooted in Florida. From 1981 to 1997, he worked at West Florida Electric Cooperative.  His tenure culminated there as Vice President of Member Services, Information Technology, Marketing and Economic Development.

He serves or has served on a variety of boards including immediate past board president, National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association; Past president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperative; Board member, North Carolina’s Association of Electric Cooperatives; Board member, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC); Board Member Meridian Cooperative (formerly SEDC); and past nominating committee member, CoBank.

Wynn spoke on energy-saving options, storms and surges, and the future of energy


A South Lake Chamber of Commerce (SLCC) Ambassador is an official representative of the SLCC and serves as a front-line volunteer.  

SLCC Ambassador of the month of May is Keith Mullins

Ambassador Keith Mullins was recognized as the SLCC Ambassador of the Month. Keith is an individual deeply rooted in the South Lake community for many years. From 1999 to 2017, he served on the Clermont City Council on Seat 4 and served on the Planning and Zoning Board. He and his wife have lived in Clermont since 1988 and later opened the retail wine store Bacchus Vino Etcetera in 2004 in Downtown Clermont. He’s also the current treasurer and past president of the South Lake Kiwanis Club, the current treasurer of the Clermont Main Street, and a board member of the South Lake Animal League. In 1990, this individual served as the Board Chair for the South Lake Chamber of Commerce, and in 2003 he was awarded the Citizen of the Year award. He continues to be one of the most dedicated and involved Chamber Ambassadors.


pictured L-R: Sheri Olson and ERHS student Keira Marie Votava

The Ray Goodgame Scholarship honors students in the South Lake area who serve as champions for the community. 

Keira Marie Votave, a senior at East Ridge High School, was honored as the South Lake Chamber of Commerce recipient of the Ray Goodgame Outstanding Student Leader Award and presented with a check in the amount of $1,000 at the May breakfast meeting of the SLCC. The award was presented by Sheri Olson, Board Treasurer of South Lake Chamber of Commerce.

(click here to see a recent article on Keira Marie Votave )


Main Sponsors of the breakfast:

Dr. Sijo Parekattil 

Dr. Sijo Parekattil from Avant Concierge Urology was the main sponsor of the breakfast. Avant Concierge Urology is a urology practice, specializing in the treatment of conditions related to the kidneys, urinary bladder, adrenal glands, urethra, and male reproductive organs. 

 

 

Timothy Smith

Co-sponsors were
Timothy Smith of Thrivent, a financial organization offering holistic financial services. Tim, a financial associate with Thrivent, is located in Groveland and can be contacted at timothy.smith@thrivent.com or 407-446-2373.

 

Geneva Hamilton

Geneva Hamilton of The Caribbean American Association of Lake County is not for profit dedicated to bringing awareness to Caribbean culture.  Their major fundraiser Clermont Caribbean Jerk Festival will be held Saturday, June 4 at Waterfront Park.

 

New members and recognition of renewing members were acknowledged and door prizes were distributed.