The Norman Transcript

Bergey Wind Power President Mike Bergey took the reins of the Norman Chamber of Commerce at the organization's annual banquet Thursday night at the University of Oklahoma's Molly Shi Boren Ballroom.

"Business is the lifeblood of Norman," President Bergey told chamber members and guests. "We must have growth just to stay even because of rising costs."
Bergey took over from Robin Allen, owner of Fancy That restaurant and catering services. Allen thanked chamber officers and directors for the opportunity to serve her community.

"It has been a privilege and honor to serve as president of the chamber," Allen said.

She honored former president and longtime chamber supporter Pat Mayes who died earlier this year. Allen recognized her executive committee and chamber committee chairs.

Allen noted the chamber's varied constituencies.

"We are a very diverse group. I've had nanotubes explained to me and I got to play laser tag," she said.

Performers from Norman's Sooner Theatre entertained the chamber banquet crowd.

The five finalists for Norman Public Schools' Teacher of the Year award including Alisa Steig, Lisa Raiber, Dan Nolan, Laura Hutton, Ronna Finley and Melany Pattison, Teacher of the Year for All Saints Catholic School, were honored. Norman will name its Teacher of the Year Tuesday evening.

Bergey, in the alternative energy business for 30 years, thanked his father, Karl Bergey, for being supportive in his passion for wind power. He thanked his wife, Fran, for helping him get out of some state and national commitments.
"I promise to try my best to make our chamber the voice of business in our community," he said.

In addition to Bergey and Allen, the 2008-2009 executive board includes Cindy Nashert, president elect; Tom Sherman, vice president of operations; Trey Bates, vice president of community development; Sandra Longcrier, secretary-treasurer and Joan Kaplan, assistant secretary-treasurer.

Newly elected board members are Jim Adair, Adair and Associates; Scott Bauman, IMMY; Robyn Castleberry, Moore Norman Technology Center; Ellen Censky, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History; Diana Hartley, Sarkeys Foundation; Tim Lashar, Lashar Home Comfort Systems; Jonathan Leavey, First American Abstract; Jim McAuley, first American Bank; Jan Moran, AT--T and Jim Wade, BancFirst.

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