1. YOUR CAREER
IN THE
CHAMBER
PROFESSION
Where do you go from here?

2. OF THE FOLLOWING
ATTRIBUTES, WHICH 5
BEST DESCRIBE YOU?
• When working with search
committees, often begin with an
attribute exercise
• Handout is sample attribute exercise
• Do your skills match up to what most
boards are looking for?

3. • Intern – Alexandria, MN
• Assistant Manager – Alexandria, MN
• Coordinator – Rugby, ND
• Executive Director – Montevideo, MN
• Executive VP – South St. Paul/Inver Grove Heights
• President – Twin West
• President/CEO – Saint Paul
• 2008 – Dowell Management
MY HISTORY
THROUGH THE CHAMBER INDUSTRY AND
BEYOND

4. • Doing search work throughout the Midwest, we noticed that the
industry is changing:
– Chamber executives are less willing to move to a new marketplace
(often result of 2 income families)
– The industry is getting older – average age of a chamber exec in 2012
was 45 years old. (MACE Compensation & Benefits Survey, 2012)
– Chamber executives are serving their chambers longer. In 2012, 46%
of full-time chamber execs had been at their current chamber at
least 7 years. In 2010, that percentage was 40%.
– Chamber staff are moving out instead of moving up – more “outside
the industry, inside the community” hiring.
– Seasoned professionals that are willing to move are a more valuable
resource
THE CHAMBER INDUSTRY IS CHANGING

5. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
$50,000 AND
BELOW

6. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
$50,000 -$100,000

7. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
$100,000 - $200,000

8. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
$200,000 - $300,000

9. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
$300,000 - $500,000

10. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
$500,000 - $750,000

11. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
$750,000 -
$1,0000,000

12. PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE MIDWEST
CHAMBER EXECUTIVE
CHAMBERS WITH
INCOME OF
MORE THAN
$1,000,000

13. LEADERSHIP
&
LIKEABILITY
No matter the size of the
chamber, boards want the
same thing:

14. Examples:
– Sales ability
– Strong verbal communication
OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS
2 COMPONENTS OF WHAT BOARDS WANT
BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES
Examples:
– Risk taker
– Trustworthiness

15. LEADERSHIP
ATTRIBUTES
What did you say?

16. 1. Visioning
2. Financial Management
3. Sales/Sales Management
4. Staff Management Skills
5. Strong verbal and written communications
6. Focus/prioritizing tasks
7. Strong strategic thinking
TOP OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS SOUGHT
BY BOARDS/SEARCH COMMITTEES

17. 1. Honesty/Integrity
2. Communicative
3. Politically Astute
4. Results Oriented
5. Organized/Prioritization
TOP 5 – NEARLY ALWAYS INCLUDED
TOP BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTES SOUGHT
BY BOARDS/SEARCH COMMITTEES
OTHERS OFTEN SITED, BUT NOT ALWAYS:
1. Follow Through
2. Outgoing/Extroverted/Charismatic
3. Tough Minded/Manage Conflict
4. Creative
5. Initiative/Self-Starter

18. – Commitment to being a pro – your job is to make the chamber stronger
– Honest conversation with yourself and your family about making this a
career and not just a job
• Seriously reconsider your willingness to relocate – lose the metro
mentality
– Invest in continuing education and receive IOM designation, other
designations are helpful
– Be a leader in your state association and with your fellow execs – those
who give get back
– Test likeability and leadership components
– Serve your industry beyond your tenure
• Mentor, internships, willingness to help industry
TIPS ON DEVELOPING TALENT AND
MOVING FORWARD IN THE INDUSTRY