Craig Howell FUTURE PLANS – During Tuesday’s annual meeting and banquet, Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce President Brenda Mull announced her plans to step down from the position later this year. Mull has been with the chamber for 29 years, beginning in 1997 and taking on the role of president in 2005.

WEIRTON – The 89th membership meeting and awards banquet held Tuesday by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce wasn’t just about celebrating the accomplishments of the local business community. It also marked the end of an era for the organization.

“Tonight’s banquet is a little more special to me than most because this will be my last as chamber president,” said Weirton Chamber President Brenda Mull, announcing her plans to retire from the position later this year.

Mull has spent the last 29 years with the chamber, first as its office manager in 1997 and then taking on the role of leading the agency in 2005.

Through her tenure, the chamber has been a consistent voice for area businesses; celebrated growth through grand openings, anniversaries and other important milestones; presented opportunities for businesses to invest in themselves and their employees; and launched a variety of community-based programs and events.

“This is a tough decision for me,” she said, noting how much she loves the job and the people. “Some of you really are my closest friends.”

There also was an element of family, as Mull’s son, Jason Mull, served as the guest speaker.

Jason is the director of operations for St. Clair Country Club in Pittsburgh, having previously served in the Navy and worked in various golf-related roles, including a 20-year stint at Trump National Golf Club Charlotte.

He noted he has had the opportunity to golf with athletes from the PGA and NASCAR, actors and even the current president. He has watched business connections and deals made while on the course, but said some of his earliest lessons came from his childhood in Weirton, where he learned the game from his father, worked as a caddy at Williams Golf and Country Club and played on the Weir High golf team.

“Everything that prepared me for that started right here,” he said. “Places like Weirton don’t just raise people, they prepare them.”

The night continued to focus on the chamber itself, with Mull noting 18 new members had joined in the last year while highlighting many of the annual and upcoming programs, such as Youth Leadership Weirton and the Dr. Barbara A. Matey High School Business Symposium, both of which work with area high school students in an effort to better prepare them for their future.

Ladies Night With the Chamber is set to return April 24, and a Brunch and Learn at Blue Cat Coffee will be held Thursday. Mull also announced upcoming grand openings for Santoro Metals and Jalsa, as well as a new Jersey Mike’s franchise coming to Weirton.

“Good news keeps on coming,” she said.

Some of the chamber’s own events this year include the new Bourbon, Cigar and Barbecue event, the annual Christmas in July Golf Scramble and the Weirton Christmas Parade.

In showcasing the cooperative spirit in the community, Mull noted the assistance from the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center and West Virginia Northern Community College in reconditioning and upgrading the holiday light displays managed by the chamber, as well as from the City of Weirton’s Public Works Department and city electricians to install the lights.

“This is working together to make things happen. That’s how we do it,” she said.

As she does each year, Mull took time to celebrate milestones of several area businesses, including Precision Aesthetics, Best You Boutique, EZ Fresh Meals and Catering, Adam DePuglia State Farm and Giometti Catering for five years in business; the Frontier Group of Companies for 25 years; Wine and Beverage Merchants for 45 years; Mountaineer Casino for 75 years; Pulice Enterprises for a combined 92 years among three businesses it operates; and 112 years for the WVU Extension Service in Hancock County.

Tuesday’s event, held at the Lauttamus Center, was made possible through the support of WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center, platinum-level sponsor; DeeJay’s BBQ Ribs and Grille, Trinity Health System, Hancock County Savings Bank and Starvaggi, golf-level sponsors; West Virginia Northern Community College, Howard Hanna Mortimer Realty and Project BEST, silver-level sponsors; and Jarvis Downing and Emch, James White Construction, Mountaineer Casino Resort, Frontier Group of Companies and Window World as bronze-level sponsors.

(Howell can be contacted at )