Cindi Chamber Spotlight:
Howard by Caylie Howard | photos courtesy of Flower Mound Chamber
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wenty years ago, Cindi Howard got a phone call that would begin her two-decade long journey of being a part of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce family. Her long-time friend, Kathy Beahm, worked at the Chamber and expressed that they were in need of someone to answer the phones for them. “I had just put my three-year-old in mother’s day out twice a week. I told them, ‘I’ll give you those days, but that’s it.’ I hadn’t planned on going back to work. I was a full-time mommy.” She said.
Before she knew it, her two days at the Chamber expanded to even more days, which then led to a fulltime position. “I have done every job that there is to do at the Chamber.” She says. She started out as the receptionist doing administrative work, then became the membership director, which led to her becoming the vice president of the Chamber.
“When all of the parts work, and all of the
Her family and her faith have always been the center of her world. She says that her husband of 35 years, Clifford, has always been her rock. “He has supported me in every step and new endeavor in my career at the Chamber. I couldn’t have done any of this without him.”
parts are great and
strong, it makes for a
Not only did she fill all of those shoes, she also acted as interim president two separate times when she was the sole remaining staff member. “I did the best and as much as I could to keep us afloat.” She said.
great organization.”
50 | LANTANA LIVING | DECEMBER 2020
During one of those times, Cindi enlisted the help of Kelly Heslep to assist in the day-to-day stuff that Cindi wasn’t able to do alone. Their big event of the year, Fiesta Flower Mound, which just celebrated it’s 23rd year in 2020, was coming up. Kelly excelled in party planning, and there was no one more perfect for the job. Cindi and Kelly had a wonderful relationship as long-time friends, which quickly grew to become an amazing work relationship as well when Kelly was brought on to the Flower Mound Chamber family by the Board of Directors. Seven years ago, the board made the decision to hire Lori Walker as acting president of the Chamber. Before her role as president, she had been a loyal member of the Board of Directors for 10 years. Her strong attention to detail and her drive for perfection make her the ideal leader for the Chamber Team. Mary Ailor has proven to be an essential member of the Chamber family. Her friendly and bubbly personality make her the perfect person to greet each person that walks into the Chamber doors. “She www.LantanaLiving.com
