Wayne Chamber changes and awards

By Carolyn Marnon – The Wayne Chamber of Commerce has a new Executive Director and a new Board of Directors for 2021.

Executive Director is Zachery Burskey

The newly hired Executive Director is Zachery Burskey who started with the Chamber in December. He reported that his main goal will be to get things properly structured at the Chamber and to find new events and benefit opportunities for members. He’d also like to keep things running smoothly for the nearly 80 members of the Chamber. He is hoping the Chamber will be able to add health care options for members, get business discounts for members, and be able to hold digital events and seminars via Zoom. COVID-19 has placed many obstacles in front of businesses, especially those in the restaurant industry, and Zachery wants to set up systems and resources to help those businesses survive.
The Wayne Chamber recently handed out awards: two non-profits and Volunteer of the Year.

Wayne Chamber of Commerce President Stan Shelton presents Hype Athletics CEO Ali Sayed, Rabih Darwiche and Billy Amen with Wayne Business of the Year.

HYPE Recreation Center and Wayne Main Street were each recognized for their non-profit work. HYPE was actively involved this past summer handing out food to the community. On several Saturdays, HYPE received 2-3 semis full of food that they gave away. One Saturday, says Chamber board member and a volunteer at the food drive Stan Shelton, cars were lined up outside of HYPE down Howe to Van Born and back to Venoy. HYPE has also held COVID-19 testing sites.
Wayne Main Street works hard to keep Wayne clean with the Spring Clean-Up event. The organization also has a focus on the community by having the annual fall scarecrow event “which brings a bit of shine to the community,” said Stan.
Estefany Gonzalez was recognized for her volunteer work with the Wayne Chamber of Commerce. A young high school student, she reduced chamber records to a manageable level.
She also designed the car hood the Chamber entered in the Wayne Main Street 2019 competition and designed the Chambers 2020 scarecrow for the annual downtown scarecrow competition.

The new Board
members are:

Amanda Dybus
Wayne Westland Schools

Daryan Edmunds
State Farm Insurance-Clay Nissan

Sue Elliot
Storage Sense

Maria Rico
Lobo Tires

Chelsea Rushlow
Imperial Press

Stan Shelton
J&S Portrait America Photography

Shane Vida
Phoenix Theatres

Magan Zuk
Advantage Living Center