Perkins Coie Partner to Lead South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce

DENVER (August 22, 2005) – Perkins Coie Partner Karen Samuels Jones has assumed the role of Chair of the Board of Directors for the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. Ms Jones will serve with Chamber president John Brackney. Her term will last until August 2007. The Chamber is the second largest Chamber in the State with membership of more than fifteen hundred Denver-area businesses. Ms. Jones has been an active Chamber member since 1992. She served on the Board of the Economic Development Group from 1997 to 2004, including a term as Chair of the Group from 2001 to 2002; served on the Public Policy Initiatives Counsel from 2002 to 2005; acted as Legal Counsel to the Chamber from 2002 to 2004; and was Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors from 2004 to 2005.

As a partner in Perkins Coie's national real estate and land use practice group, Ms. Jones focuses her practice on real estate transactions, leasing, and financing/secured lending. She is part of a team of lawyers across the country that provide comprehensive real estate and development services, helping owners, lenders and corporate clients with all aspects of the financing, acquisition, development and disposition of major projects nationally and internationally.

The Chamber's Board is comprised of representatives from a wide range of area businesses. John Vachalek, the president and founder of Webolutions, an Internet based marketing and design firm was elected as Chair-Elect for 2005-06. The Chamber's other officers include: Vice Chair Membership, David Crane of Littleton Adventist Hospital; Vice Chair Small Business Development Center, Jason Hearnsberger of First Community Bank; Vice Chair Public Affairs, Mari Lynn Glidden of M4G Investments; Vice Chair Economic Development, Dean Murphy of American Civil Constructors; At Large Executive Committee Member, L.G. Chavez, Jr. of Burt Automotive Network, Treasurer, John Hughes of Levine, Hughes & Mithuen; Legal Counsel, David Babiarz, of Dufford & Brown; Past Chair, Mary Ann Littler of Avaya.

About the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber is a business organization representing more than 1500 businesses and 90,000 employees from across the Denver metro area. Founded in 1921, the Chamber is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes through networking events, training, peer support and special events. The Chamber works to improve the south metro Denver economy by promoting tourism, attracting new businesses to the area and retaining existing businesses. Upcoming major Chamber events include the Governor's 2005 Tourism Conference (September 20, Historic Downtown Littleton), and the 2005 Business Expo (October 25, Marriott DTC). More information is available online at www.bestchamber.com, or call president John Brackney at (303) 795-0142.