HUNTINGTON ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Megan Archer is closing out her first two months as president and CEO of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Archer says her first weeks in the job have been about listening and learning, but she has big plans for the future that involve growth through collaboration and storytelling.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI really just wanted to meet as many people as I could and have these candid conversations,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Archer said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œTell me what weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re doing right, tell me what we could do better, because thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s the only way weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re gonna be able to do better is if I know what those challenges are.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
One of her main priorities going into the new year, with feedback considered, is collaboration. She wants to meet with local leaders in business, politics and beyond to figure out how to lift everyone.
A few specific action items she mentioned include revitalizing the manufacturing roundtable and introducing a small business roundtable. She said she wants to connect with young business owners and find ways to encourage more women to join the workforce.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s so many different pockets of progress that we just want to continue to build up through our work at the Chamber,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ she said.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAnd a lot of that ... ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not just one organization that can do it, itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going to be a team effort.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
That effort will include keeping lines of communication open and making sure people feel they have a seat at the table and are heard, she said, and that the Chamber is being transparent about its goals and challenges.
With her marketing and public relations background, Archer said she would like to help Chamber members learn how to do a better job of ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œtelling their story.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ She talked about finding ways to spotlight members on the ChamberÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s social media and on its website.
She said she plans to continue or build on a few aspects of the ChamberÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s recent direction: not endorsing political candidates and also making the annual dinner a fun, relaxed event with entertainment.
Chamber members said they are excited to welcome Archer and get to know her.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think that the Chamber has already evolved so much over the last few years and so itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be interesting to see the other changes, new ideas that come into the Chamber from Megan and just continuing the ... positive feeling,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ said Lauren Kemp, executive director of RenewAll.
Kemp said she appreciates current initiatives like the nonprofit roundtable because of the opportunities for local connection.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe are really interested in creating a consortium of businesses that support our neighborhood and inspiring entrepreneurship in our neighborhood,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ said Kaye Godbey, executive director of the Highlawn Community Alliance. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSo weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re really excited about the opportunity of working with the Chamber to help the Chamber, but also to really make a difference in our neighborhood, so I think that thereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a great symbiotic potential there.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Many Chamber members attended a meet and greet event at Heritage Station on Tuesday morning to get to know the new leader.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve been fortunate at the Huntington Regional Chamber to have great leadership throughout its tenure. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s why this Chamber has such a great reputation,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ said Bill Bissett, current president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association who served as president of the Huntington Chamber from 2016 to 2021. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think Megan brings new energy and a strong communications background, so I think what sheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll do very well is tell the story of this region and the businesses that are located here.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Bissett said he thinks ArcherÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s past experience gives her two advantages in her new role.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œOne, she knows our hospitals and Marshall University very well, having worked for them, and you know those are big economic engines for this region. So understanding how they work internally is only going to make the chamber stronger,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ he said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBut the other thing I think sheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll do well is telling this story beyond the boundaries of the two counties of Cabell and Wayne.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
