Business in the Pines members joined for lunch and fellowship at the annual meeting in May. Left to right: Cathy Anderson, Deborah Johansen, Linda Watson and Linda Clure. (photo by Terri Wiebold)

by Terri Wiebold

Business in the Pines (BIP) celebrated a successful first year of enterprise in Castle Pines North (CPN) during its annual meeting on Wednesday, April 30 at the Celtic Crossing in the CPN business district.

Business owners, elected city officials, and dignitaries from across the state joined together to share in recapping the accomplishments of 2007 and to network with other local business owners.

On the agenda for the afternoon was reviewing quarterly goals, approving the 2008 budget, electing a new board of directors, and bidding farewell to the current president of the board, Paul Arvidson. A video photo montage choreographed to “Wild Thing” paid tribute to Arvidson, along with kind and inspirational words delivered by BIP president, Sharon Kollmar.

“What we are as an organization today and the many things we have accomplished during this first year could not have happened without Paul,” said Kollmar. “His leadership, dedication and vision for Business in the Pines have been beyond stellar.”

House District 45 candidates Holly Gorman, Carole R. Murray, and Mark Sievers spoke to the group about their candidacy for the Colorado House, and special guest Lynn Myers from the Southeast Business Partnership - a leader in economic development in South Metro Denver - was also in attendance. CPN City Council members Ron Clark, Chip Coppola, and Kim Hoffman, as well as Mayor Shul, Treasurer Gilbert, and City Clerk Carl Kollmar were on hand to answer questions about the new city.

After the cake was cut and all was said and done, guests left with a renewed appreciation for the support BIP has provided during the past year and a fresh outlook on the future economic development of the CPN business district.

To learn more about Business in the Pines, visit www.businessinthepines.com or contact Sharon Kollmar at 303-688-5656.