LAYTON — “Get in the Game” is the Davis Chamber of Commerce “thematic goal,” as it strives to add value to existing members and add new members.

Shelly Nettesheim, who was inaugurated as the 2010 membership chair for the chamber last Friday, has served in many capacities with the business advocacy group.

She has served as chair of the Women in Business and captain of the Lakesiders, who officially welcome new businesses during ribbon cuttings. That involvement also includes board membership for the past four years.

Professionally, Nettesheim is marketing and community relations director for Apple Village in Layton, Apple Tree in Kaysville, and Gardens in Ogden, all assisting living facilities.

“You really have to get involved, invest in your chamber membership, attend the meetings,” and use the chamber as a way to network yourself and your business, she said.

The influence of the chamber can be “unbelievable,” Nettesheim said, citing the impact of the group’s campaign on the Legacy Highway’s development some years ago as one example.

Responding to concerns that have been raised to the Clipper about a need for the chamber to be more inclusive of South Davis members and issues, she said, “as a part of our strategic plan, we want to do a better job in reaching out to South Davis. We need to find out what those reasons (for concern) are.

“Each city has unique issues,” Nettesheim continued. She cited such valuable South Davis members and supporters as Bountiful Mayor Joe Johnson and Lakeview Hospital CEO Rand Kerr, along with Gayla Gallagher of the First National Bank’s Bountiful branch.

She also singled out Life Care Center of Bountiful as another new, strong member.

“We need to look outside the box and do a better job encompassing everybody,” Nettesheim said. “Being fairly young, we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year, I would like to see our membership grow, our current activities, level of involvement grow.

“We are very capable of doing great things,” she said of what is arguably the state’s second largest chamber of commerce.

At last Friday’s chamber Business Awards Banquet, she praised the efforts of Channel 5’s Ron Zundell, a Davis County resident, as emcee. “He added a lot of excitement,” she said.

“Former chair (Brad Wilson, Destination Homes CEO) came up with the idea to do the awards nominations process differently, to make final announcements that night,” Nettesheim continued.

Davis Hospital received the Legacy award, as previously announced, while Lakeview Hospital was named Employer of the Year. The Mandarin Restaurant was awarded Business of the Year and NorthFront Business Resource Center received the New Business of the Year honor.

Applegate HomeCare & Hospice was named Innovation Business of the Year, and Your Valet was honored with the Green Award.

Also previously announced was Julie Batchelor of Hometown Values, Advocacy of the Year award.

“I feel very lucky we were able to find Jim (Smith, new Chamber President/CEO),” Nettesheim said. “The board feels very comfortable and confident with where he’s going to take the chamber.”

With more than 100 applicants, she called him a “wonderful, well-respected guy, so down-to-earth and personable. He also has the business savvy” from his many years in the banking industry.

“We have been very lucky to not feel the effects of the economic downturn as much as many other areas,” Nettesheim said, adding, “There are signs the economy is turning around. We're ready to ride the (improved) wave.”

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com