Chamber’s new president hopes to build business, school relationship

    Adam Lambert has one major goal in mind as he takes over as president of the Imperial Chamber of Commerce.
    As superintendent of Chase County Schools, Lambert wants to build a strong relationship between local businesses and the school, and in the long run, benefit both.
    “Grow our own” is a theme on which he will focus.
    To do that, he’d like to get more business owners and personnel “in the school” where they can discuss what they do and their needs for employees.
    Lambert has met with the Mid-Plains Community College president and other officials there to figure out ways for providing more opportunities for students, especially those who are leaning toward careers in the trades.
    “There are a lot of opportunities,” he said, for those youths who may not want to take the traditional four-year degree path.
    That goal to “grow our own” would be helped with the possible addition of more trade classes as CCS in the future.
    He mentioned the strong ag business community in this area, and their need for trained employees in areas such as diesel mechanics.
    Building a better relationship with local businesses can keep that communication open, he said.
    As an example, better school and business communication can be beneficial, he said, when CCS hosts a tournament in town. If businesses are more aware of those events, it could be beneficial to them with additional people in the community.
    In another area, Lambert noted the chamber updated its website the past year.
    He’d like to see information listed that contains all of the job openings in Imperial in one location.
    “It would be nice to have one go-to place for jobs here,” he said.
    The new president said the chamber has many great events already established, such as Smokin’ on Broadway, and he wants to see those continue.
    Lambert joined the chamber because he enjoys being part of the community.
    “That’s why I joined. To get to know the business owners and be involved,” he said.
Year’s officers
    Lambert stepped up to the chamber presidency one year earlier than expected.
    Kevin Chavira served 2021 as the chamber’s 1st vice president, but had to withdraw from taking the 2022 president’s position due to a job change.
    He has accepted the market president position at Pinnacle Bank in Grant. His last day at Pinnacle Bank in Imperial is Jan. 14, he said.
    Chavira and his family will be moving to Grant the first of February.
    Other 2002 chamber officers include Shawn Jaeger, 1st vice president; Courtney Wichmann, 2nd vice president; Elise Musgrove, secretary; and Jan Elliott, treasurer.
    Board members are Lesley Nordhausen, Michelle Spady and Krista McClain.
    Eric Haider is the immediate past president.