COMMUNITY
LEADERSHIP PROFILES PATRICK CHAPIN
BUSINESS HIGH POINT, INC. CEO START DATE: June 20, 2016 HOMETOWN: Orlando, FL
Describe your background: I am fortunate to have started my career with the Walt Disney Company, where I spent 10 years, mainly in operations and sponsorship. My love of fitness led me to serve 5 years as Executive Director of one of the largest YMCA’s in the country in Sarasota, FL. Most recently, I spent the last 7+ years as President/CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce in Florida. It’s an honor to now embark on Business High Point, Inc.
What exactly is Business High Point, Inc.? Business High Point, Inc. was formed in August 2015 through the merger of the High Point Chamber of Commerce & the High Point Partners, a private economic development group. By merging, there is now a united voice for the business sector. In short, we are striving to secure a better tomorrow for our region. Combining our strengths with the skills and support of civic leaders, business owners and residents, Business High Point, Inc. has the power, and obligation, to make change happen. Business High Point, Inc. unites High Point in an unprecedented way.
What is your biggest career accomplishment? My proudest moment has been the collective efforts – led by the Winter Park Chamber – to help fight hunger in Central Florida. The Chamber brought together civic, nonprofit, government, education, faith and business organizations together to raise over $300,000 in an unprecedented communitywide effort to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
What goals & priorities do you have for Business High Point, Inc.? I believe we can work more closely with our regional partners. I also see great opportunity to support major projects that will enhance our community, whether that is a downtown stadium, transportation project or other transformational projects. I feel strongly that, not only are we the voice OF business, but we are the voice TO business. I want to hear from the community to see how businesses can improve our entire city.
18| HIGH POINT MAGAZINE 2016 | 2017
What do you see as High Point’s greatest strength? The wonderful people. In addition to being extremely nice, I sense an unmistakable optimism and a genuine and collective wish to impact High Point’s future.
What have been your biggest accomplishments so far in High Point? I would be quite arrogant to think that I have had any significant impact in my very short tenure. I’ve focused most of my time on listening and learning. I believe a foundation of understanding and trust is priority number one. If I do this it will assist me in accomplishing many things in the future.
Describe how you see High Point in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years: I see several transformational projects igniting our community and building more social capital and entrepreneurs. There will be a broader scope of opportunities for job training and job placement. I envision cool, interesting places for people to gather and come together. You can also mark my words: people from one end of the city limits to the other end will be experiencing ALL of High Point. The entire city will be vibrant, successful and, collectively, will be a great place to live, work, play and pray.
How can High Point help you make our business community better? It is important for residents to be involved and educated on matters important to our community. A well informed person can challenge us to strive for more and can be a strong advocate on issues which must be tackled. An engaged community will stimulate a healthy business environment, which always translates to a better city.
What else should High Point Know about you? On the personal side, I enjoy physical challenges. I have run dozens of marathons, completed 4 Ironman races, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and ran across the Grand Canyon and back in one day. I want to make a difference in the community I live and the people I work with. . . This move to High Point fits all of those criteria perfectly!