Huntington Woods Resident Elected President of Royal Oak Chamber

The Board of Directors has elected attorney Howard H. Collens of Huntington Woods, Michigan-based Galloway and Collens, PLLC as the 2012 President.

A Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce member for nine years, Howard has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors since 2008. He has been actively involved with the Ambassador Committee since February 2006, serving as chairman for 4 years.  In addition, he co-chaired the Chamber’s By-Laws Committee and helped manage the 2010 Chamber by-law rewrite. Howard received the 2007 Ambassador of the Year award and differentiates himself by regularly wearing a bow tie while attending Chamber coffees, after-hours, special events and forums.

“I am excited about becoming President of the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce,” stated Collens. “We have a terrific opportunity this year to improve our relationships with City Hall. In addition, this Board will work to find ways to make it easier for our current members to engage in business as well as help new businesses by offering a welcoming gateway to Royal Oak.”

Howard H. Collens is a co-founding member of his own law firm – Galloway and Collens, PLLC, which has been a member of the Chamber since the firm began. A member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1995, he currently serves as a member of the State Bar’s Probate and Estate Planning section and the Elder Law and Disability Rights section.  Additionally, Howard has obtained the ICLE Probate and Estate Planning Certificate and practices law in the areas of estate planning, estate administration and elder law.

“Howard brings a sense of order and fairness – a true thoughtfulness in the way he thinks ahead and works through ideas,” said previous Royal Oak Chamber President Andrey Tomkiw, attorney with Tomkiw Enwright, plc. “Under his leadership, I foresee the Chamber continuing its forward momentum with the development of more cooperative relationships with all of Royal Oak’s key entities, including City Hall, the City Commission, the DDA, the Royal Oak School District and the business community.”

“Howard brings a passion for Royal Oak and its business community to this position,” stated Executive Director Shelly Kemp. “We are excited to have him lead the Chamber.”  Like his passion for wearing bow ties, Howard Collens will bring his own unique personality to the role of Board President.

With nearly 600 members, the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest chambers of commerce in Southeast Michigan. 

The Greater Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to bringing business persons, civic groups, local government and citizens together to advance the economic, professional, cultural and civic welfare of the community. For more information, visit www.royaloakchamber.com or call 248.547.4000.

Source: Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce