Conventional wisdom about community enhancement touts education, jobs, employer attraction and business retention, along with the strategies and tasks required to deliver them. The journey to any entity’s success, much like the famed Yellow Brick Road, is fraught with bumps in the pavers.
Sometimes taken for granted are the dedicated visionaries who lead those efforts and inspire others to work alongside them. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion did not need the Wizard of Oz. The power to make a difference had always sparked within them.
The four intrepid travelers already had proven their inner strength to master the unknown, banding together, swinging arm-in-arm, and setting off down the spiral path singing their intent. What they lacked was someone to affirm their goals, guide their decisions, supply resources and provide direction if they went astray. In the tangible world of life and business, experts often define that role as leadership.
One such Quad Cities leader is Marnie Uhl, CEO of the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce. Two acknowledgements of late have honored Uhl’s contributions to the region and its business progress.
Most recently, Uhl was named among three short list nominees for the 2016 Woman of the Year Award from Prescott Area Leadership (PAL). This year’s announcement of PAL’s Man, Woman and Youth (male and female) award recipients is slated for April 13.
In February, Uhl celebrated 10 years heading up the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce. Civic leaders, volunteers, business representatives, citizens and staff members participated in an open house at the chamber office to congratulate Uhl on her many accomplishments.
Holding a degree in administration of justice, Uhl worked her way up from volunteer to executive director across multiple chamber organizations. She began as chamber volunteer in Temple City, California, working various activities and events, chairing an annual fundraiser and serving as an ambassador. Those contributions earned her recognition as Volunteer of the Year.
In 1999, she was hired as an assistant to the CEO for the Round Valley (now Springerville-Eagar Regional) Chamber of Commerce. The following year, she was promoted to CEO. She immediately enrolled herself in the Institute for Organization Management through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She supplemented that four-year program of one-week annual sessions with professional development conferences through the Arizona Chamber Executives and the Western Association of Chamber Executives.
“The value of the programs, coupled with the mentorship I received, were invaluable to the development of my skills as a chamber of commerce professional,” she said. “I continue to participate with the organizations by serving on their boards, volunteering back as a speaker or presenter, and in mentoring new chamber executives. I currently serve on the Board of Trustees for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management.”
Uhl identifies five key achievements of the Prescott Valley Chamber: 1) Obtaining valued U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation recognizing that the local organization exceeds standards set forth by the national organization; 2) Developing the Chamber’s Business Academy, which has delivered 10 class sessions with a solid team of presenters to about 130 business member attendees since 2007; 3) Building relationships between businesses, organizations and schools, creating an environment of everyone succeeding by working together; 4) Continuing to provide value programs during the recession as businesses were struggling; and 5) Developing and keeping a dedicated, talented and professional staff and board of directors.
She attributes the Prescott Valley Chamber’s success to a passion for the business community, and being a visible and active part of the community outside of the business end of things. “We have always had dynamic leadership on our board of directors. It’s a very aggressive and proactive group that supports and encourages new program development and services. The board empowers the staff.”
Uhl’s leadership skills include optimizing the strengths and dedication of individuals and groups, while encouraging peak performance for the organization. “Inclusive” is her description of the management style she fosters.
“As policy and programs are determined, we as staff work together to accomplish goals,” she explained. “I have an open door policy so that anything can be discussed, brainstormed or shared. We celebrate success together.”
She calls Prescott Valley a leader in the region evidenced by consistent smart growth and planned development. “The town is growing faster and getting younger and positive proactive leaders.
Looking ahead, the ultimate challenge for Uhl “is keeping up with this fast-moving, fast-paced world. It is up to me to identify trends, listen to forecasts, and plan for the chamber’s role in leading, supporting and encouraging business retention, growth and economic success.”
By Sue Marceau, QCBN
Leave a Reply