Where there is gratitude, there is humility, as opposed to pride. – Gordon B. Hinckley

“Always recognize your employees and show gratitude for their accomplishments. They are your best asset!” advised Scott “Scotty” Wise—a highly successful restaurant entrepreneur—as part of his remarks at the 2011 AU/MCC Annual Awards Luncheon.

“Always surround yourself with people who know more than you do!” said Rob Loose, second-generation owner of Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes and Crematory and the co-recipient, with his father, of the 2011 MCC Entrepreneur Award.

In keeping the above counsel from two superhero entrepreneurs who obviously know what they are talking about, I wish to take a moment and publicly recognize the Madison County Chamber TEAM that includes the staff, leaders, volunteers and members for a job well done this year! And I wish to show my gratitude for allowing me to be a part of the TEAM. I am truly humbled. I have taken Rob Loose’s sound counsel to heart and have surrounded myself with people who know much more than I do. Please permit me to me to recognize a few by name.

Amy DeBiak, our newest team member, came on board to help us launch the inaugural Get Linked Expo 2010. Not only did she help to tell the story of regional collaboration and relationship building (with her fun Michigan accent), she became instrumental in coordinating all client services and events. Her beaming smile and energetic personality has greeted over 2,000 people at one of our 48 events/programs including Wake Up! Madison County, FAB!, The Get Linked Expo & Conference, Mad9 Mixers, Annual Gala, Golf Classic, political leader gatherings, MadMob, and award programs to name a few. Thank you, Amy, sincerely for all that you do to help connect people to create commerce.

Community means something around here, and who better to serve as the Community Relations than our very own Betty Williams! Going on 5 years of chamber service, Betty brings a wealth of experience from her years in the Departments of Commerce for the State of Indiana, Workforce Development and the Office of Workforce Literacy. Instrumental in gelling community and political leaders, Betty serves on a number of boards including the Community Hospital Foundation, Anderson/Madison County Black Chamber of Commerce, and Crime Stoppers and continues to keep our voters informed with the Third House Sessions sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Thank you, Betty, for continually cultivating relationships at our events and on the phone as well as leading board room discussions around the county!

Last but not certainly not least, I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy learning from and working alongside our Executive Vice President, Angela Barbosa. A gifted communicator and innovative thinker, Angela is a breath of fresh air to the sometimes stale climate of our economy. I do not make a decision lightly without her critique and approval. She has proven critical to the success of our operation as well as advancing our cause to be a catalyst for improving the bottom line, image, and collective vision of our business community. Her vision and implementation of now signature programming of the chamber FAB! (Females Active in Business) and IDEA (Innovate, Demonstrate, Educate, and Accelerate) coupled with her ability to rally the troops to battle for the cause of commerce as overseer of all Get Linked Madison initiatives humbles me to the point of pure gratitude to call her colleague and friend. She was even instrumental in launching the now YouTube phenomenon MadMob! With a genuine love for this her home community, it is not hard to foresee in the distant future Angela taking the reins of the chamber as its leader and your servant. Thank you, Angela, for everything!

Although no longer at the chamber, I feel a deep gratitude for the 30 plus years of service and dedication given by Rita Puckett. Her passion for this community and its people remains unmatched. 2011 was a record year in many things from local collaboration to regional publicity and positive exposure.

We positively impacted the bottom line of many including our own. However, it was all made possible because of the dedication of what I call the MCC TEAM! My heart is full.