New chamber CEO wants to support small businesses, build leadership groups, enhance networking opportunities.
Steve Bracety is ready to lead the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce with a strong connection to members and as an important resource to small businesses. “I want to make sure we stay in touch with our membership and that we’re offering value,” Bracety said.
With a career steeped in leadership and community engagement, the chamber’s new president and CEO plans to leverage his experience to strengthen local businesses and foster growth while maintaining community character.
One key area he aims to address is human resources. He believes many small businesses in the area lack dedicated human resources departments. “The biggest challenges they face are leading, hiring and training people.”
He envisions creating leadership groups and networking opportunities tailored to businesses of all sizes. “You can have a company of 100+ employees or a company of less than five employees, but they have the same wants, needs and expectations. What are the best practices they’ve learned that they can share? What mistakes have they made along the way that they’ve learned from? It’s really about being a full business resource.”
Bracety also emphasizes the value of cultivating relationships. “It’s important to maintain the relationships the chamber has built with other organizations in the community, including the Town of Prescott Valley, service clubs and Yavapai College.”
A Familiar Face with Proven Leadership
Bracety brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Before joining the chamber, he spent nearly two decades as general manager and vice president of operations and talent management at Grace Hospitality Group’s Prescott Resort & Conference Center. His extensive background also includes management positions at the Westin Mission Hills Resort, Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson, Wyndham Phoenix Hotel and Crowne Plaza Hotel.
In addition to his professional achievements, Bracety has a strong record of community service. He has served on the Yavapai College District Governing Board since 2022 and held leadership roles in the Prescott Frontier Rotary Club, the Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County and the Prescott Fine Arts Association. In 2014, he was named Prescott Area Leadership’s Man of the Year.
Bracety’s long-standing relationship with the chamber began in 2006 when he joined the board of directors. Through the years, he has held various positions, including secretary, chairman and treasurer, gaining an intimate understanding of the chamber’s operations.
Reflecting on Challenges
Bracety’s career has not been without its challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced the difficult task of furloughing staff at the Prescott Resort. To support his employees, Bracety offered daily hot meals for their children. “I said, ‘I can’t give you a job, but I can feed your kids,’” he recalled. “These are people who stuck by me for years. I couldn’t just let them go.”
During that time, he also strived to support other businesses. “We told them, ‘Your survival is going to be our survival. That’s how we made it through.”
An Attractive Place to Live
Prescott Valley’s appeal as a place to live and visit has led to rapid growth, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Bracety acknowledges the importance of balancing development with maintaining the community’s unique character.
“There’s so much to do in the community. There’s the Findlay Toyota Center, golfing, hiking, mountain biking. If there are things to do, if your schools are great, if the hospitals are good, it adds value to your home,” he said. “Yavapai College is a staple. We have a great climate. We have a sense of community pride. People like each other.”
Because of the attractive Prescott Valley lifestyle, he says, “We always knew there would be growth. If you buy a house on a vacant lot, at some point someone’s going to purchase land next to you and build a house. If you live near a vacant strip of land, they might put a golf course there someday.”
A New Chapter
As Bracety steps into his new role, he is focused on ensuring a seamless transition and building on the chamber’s successes, led by Marnie Uhl for the past 19 years.
“I love the community and what the Chamber does. The skill sets I’ve learned and garnered and the relationships I’ve gained along the way, I’ll carry that forward.” QCBN
By Heidi Dahms Foster, QCBN
For more information about the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce, visit www.pvchamber.org or call 928-772-8857.
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