After 2 years as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, I can honestly say it was a very rewarding experience.
I love our community here in El Dorado County and I couldn’t be more proud to have spent my time serving our community.
El Dorado County is where I raised my kids, watched my grandkid born at Marshall hospital, and run my business.
It’s wonderful that small businesses have a voice in the county and that by working together with local government, non-profits, faith groups, corporations, and everyday citizens we can have a more vibrant and healthy community.
My presidential theme was, “invested in the future”. We become invested in our future by caring about what’s going on and participating.
Although faced with uncertainty, I accepted the presidential responsibility with determination and hope that I could make our county just a little bit better because of my service and efforts.
I would like to acknowledge my predecessor Gordon Helm, our CEO Laurel Brent-Bumb and the Chamber staff for holding it all together during those challenging times.
COVID And The Chamber
The chamber’s life blood is networking. We lead the way for getting back to normal by starting up our luncheons and business ribbon cuttings despite being called, “super-spreader events”.
We took precautions and excused those of higher risk.
Eventually the masks came off and the hugs and handshakes came back. Even some of the controversies came back.
We had a luncheon with our county school’s superintendent Ed Manansala as the keynote speaker. Policies around covid were very hot in the schools and a group of parents showed up to filibuster our meeting. Ed handled it like the champion he is, and I dismissed them to talk privately with the superintendent.
Investing In Our Future
Investing in our future is not about getting invested when times are good and getting out when they are not. It’s about staying the course that’s when the dividends of connections and relationships are paid, that is what puts you in the right place for when the growth comes.
I’m glad I didn’t let my doubts and fears keep me from the opportunity to serve the chamber and community over this last two years.
I really did have a lot of fun and made lifelong friends.
I look forward to supporting our new president, Leonard Grado.
He is such a great guy, I know we will continue to grow, prosper, and have fun under his leadership.
Overall, my two years as chamber president were a valuable learning experience. I developed new leadership skills, made valuable connections with business owners and community leaders, and most importantly I was able to contribute to the community’s growth and prosperity.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Thank you to Gordon Helm for being there and supporting me as the past president and for Laurel and the chamber staff who are the unsung heroes who behind the scenes keep everything going.
Thanks to the board of directors and my wife and family for all the support.