A Year in the Rear View Mirror

A Small but Mighty Team Steps Up to the Challenge

By Sharyn T. Williams, VP of Marketing, Communications, Programs, and Events, Worcester Regional Chamber

More than ever this year, many of us are taking the time to reflect on the days, weeks, and months that will make 2020 go down as one of the most unsettling we will ever experience.

Watching and listening to our members, co-workers, and families was much the same for the Chamber staff as for those of you reading this right now. We worried about the same things, pivoted our work patterns, adjusted to the new norm and are now preparing for more of the same in the new year.

As we close out 2020, we hope that you were able to join us for our virtual events. And there were many: The Breakfast Club, Business After Hours, Game Changers, more than 25 seminars, Connect for Success, and many others.

For the foreseeable future, we expect to operate in our new normal and we promise to continue to innovate to bring you quality programming that will help you grow and operate your businesses and organizations. The Chamber team is passionate about our work and it’s been hard to watch our members suffer from the personal and professional fallout associated with the pandemic. Please let us know what we can do to help you.

Early in the coronavirus crisis, and to stay viable, the Chamber cut three positions reducing staff by 25 percent with the remaining team picking up additional duties. Recently, additional staff changes were made to continue to maximize our resources and grow our membership.

The Chamber welcomed Tamara Berry to the team as assistant to the president and CEO, Tim Murray. Tamara is charged with managing Tim Murray’s schedule to streamline his calendar, schedule meetings, and facilitate his communications. Prior to her position at the Chamber, Tamara worked at Coghlin Electrical Contractors as the assistant to the president, Sue Mailman who is a former chair of the Chamber’s board of directors.

Virginia K. Murphy (Parent)has been with the Chamber for 6 years beginning as Assistant to the president and CEO. Now joining Kristen Luna in a sales role, Virginia will work to recruit new members to the organization and provide on-boarding and servicing to these businesses. She acts as the liaison to our affiliate Chamber partners, schedules the Chamber’s radio and TV shows, and hosts the 360 Pivot Facebook live events.

Readers can find the contact information for staff on the Chamber’s website: www.WorcesterChamber.org by selecting “about” on the menu bar and then navigating to “staff directory.”