Chamber executive's contract extended for a year

Her contract extended as the capital city's chamber of commerce executive director, Ronni Hannaman is looking forward to a year of business education.

The Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors extended Hannaman's contract until August 2007. This follows her six-month interim period when she was promoted from chairwoman of the board after the retirement of Larry Osborne.

"I've recently gotten more information on regulations that are going to be imposed by the Nevada Labor Commission, and we need to have seminars for our members to get people up to date," she said Thursday.

One labor law - which is a Nevada Revised Statute but isn't widely known - states that all employees who are not in decision-making positions are non-exempt and must keep a time card, she said.

That law could affect some employers who don't know the law.

Since she took the position in mid-February, 60 new business members have joined.

Hannaman said the chamber will communicate new or obscure government regulations to members.

She is also looking forward to the 2007 Legislature, where the executive director lobbies on behalf of Carson City businesses.

Hannaman worked for 10 years as a lobbyist with the Pennsylvania Legislature before coming to Nevada.

Under Hannaman's leadership the chamber will build bridges with other economic development organizations, said Bob Crowell, chairman of the board.

"Ronni's energy will take the chamber to the next level," he said.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.