FeedsOn the job
Belleville chamber president sets goals
Click image to enlarge
Vickie LenhardtVickie Lenhardt, the new president of the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, knows exactly what her goals are.
“My job is to support the local business community and bring them together for prosperity,” she said. “Also, to spearhead different ideas on how to grow in these troubled economic times. The chamber is the backbone of the business community and the presidency is just a title, but the involvement is the key whether you’re president or a chamber member.”
Lenhardt, 50, started as president this month and will serve for one year. As the manager of Belleridge Apartments in Belleville, she’s been in the area since 1982. She started with Slatkin Corporation Development/Management in 1988, which was the same year she became a chamber member.
“I wanted to join to become more involved in the community,” she said. “I met a lot of business professionals, along with politicians to help the company grow.”
As property manager, Lenhardt deals with all aspects of the 250-apartment complex, something she feels will help in her new chamber role. She has been on the chamber board of directors since 2006, was the ‘president elect’ last year, but this year Lenhardt said, will be a lot about guidance and support for the new executive director, Kelly Boelter, as well.
“Hopefully bringing more businesses together to have strength in numbers is her goal, too,” Lenhardt said. “I’d like to approach individual businesses to get suggestions because it’s a group effort, not just one individual that can change anything.
“The chamber helps to reach out to a lot of people, particularly with events like the Strawberry Festival and sponsorship programs,” she added. “The chamber also helps business marketing and promoting.”
One example is the table-to-table networking events where companies explain what they do, one on one, Lenhardt said.
“I really do want to see more involvement, I know people say that every year, but I think because of the way the economy is people will attend more community based events so I really feel good about getting that increased involvement,” she said. “I’m extremely excited about the new position because now really is a good time to be president.”
