MARK WAITE / PVT Fifth District Judge Robert Lane, at right, administers the oath of office to incoming board members of the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce during the inauguration dinner at Mountain Falls Golf Club Friday night. Pictured from left are David Schaaf, director, President Don Trudeau, Michael Selbach, director, Treasurer Stefanie Charbonneau, Debra Overly, director, Secretary Mark Forry and Vice-President Dan Rodriguez. MARK WAITE / PVT Bill Acosta, the man of 1,000 voices, put on impersonations of characters ranging from George Burns to Jack Nicholson while presenting the awards at the annual chamber inauguration dinner. Advertisement

Membership in the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce has grown to more than 570 members, 50 more than a year ago, Chief Executive Officer Kari Frilot told almost 200 attendees at the annual inauguration dinner at Mountain Falls Golf Club Friday night.

Recent chamber initiatives in the past year included the opening of the Job Connect office on the Calvada Eye and the new three-day Pahrump-A-Pum-Pum Christmas promotion, Frilot said.

Incoming chamber President Don Trudeau told members he's learned the more he got involved in the chamber of commerce, the more he got out of it.

"The difference between doing business in Las Vegas and doing business in Pahrump, in doing business in Pahrump you're going to make a friend," Trudeau said.

He takes the gavel as president from Steve Balint from Nevada State Bank.

The rest of the chamber board includes Dan Rodriguez, vice-president, Mark Forry, secretary, Stefanie Charbonneau, treasurer, and Directors David Schaaf, Debra Overly and Michael Selbach.

Las Vegas impressionist Bill Acosta entertained the crowd with his impersonations of George Burns, former President Bill Clinton, John Wayne, Forrest Gump, Humphrey Bogart and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Acosta handed out awards to chamber members who organized the various chamber events during the year and otherwise played a major role for the chamber in 2006. They included Alice Eychaner, Charlie Benfante, Stefanie Charbonneau, Paula Elefante, Bob Baker, Debbie Strickland and Don Trudeau.

The theme of the annual dinner was "All That Jazz," marked by dance numbers from the musical of the same name by Ms. Senior Golden Years Sharon Cahlan and music by the Rocky Gordon Jazz Band.

Mike Cosgrove, Mountain Falls project manager, received the annual cornerstone award from the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The cornerstone award was first presented in 2002. It's intended for individuals who give above and beyond ordinary service to the chamber.

Cosgrove, who has been involved in the Mountain Falls project almost since the inception, was at a loss for words and a little teary-eyed as he accepted the award.