SPOTLIGHT ON CIVIC LEADERS

How are Chamber Presidents chosen and how long is the term of service?

A Chamber President is the CEO of the organization. The position is neither an elected one nor is it governed by term limits. Instead, the Chamber President is hired and managed by a Board of Directors.

What makes the Richardson Chamber of Commerce unique and what aspects of the Chamber make you most proud?

We are so fortunate to have not only a breadth of members but also a depth, with numerous companies that have been with us for a very long time. What sets us apart are our stalwart leaders who are passionate about Richardson and keeping it vibrant. So many former Chairpersons are still actively engaged, a true gift you don’t see in all cities.

How has the Richardson Chamber evolved over the years in terms of scope and responsibility?

We are very proud of how the Chamber has evolved as an organization and developed very strong partnerships with our City, school districts, institutes of higher education and local businesses. Together we strive to continually enhance our community and make it the best place to live, work and raise a family. We may be a little biased!

Do you collaborate with any other Chambers of Commerce in the Metroplex? If so, what does that partnership look like?

We partner to a degree around regional topics or concerns. When necessary, we collectively tackle issues impacting the northern part of the state. Our voices become even more important during legislative years when we present a unified stance for or against proposed policies. I have personally found other Chamber Presidents to be excellent resources who are willing to share best practices and ideas.