by Jack Llewellyn, CEO of Durango Chamber of Commerce This is one of the most emotional and difficult articles that I have written as I step down as the Durango Chamber of Commerce CEO. After a little over 17 incredible years of service, this decision was not made lightly. But after a lot of reflection, sleepless nights, and consideration, I feel it is the right time for me to pursue new opportunities and for the Chamber to begin a new chapter under new leadership. First, I want to thank the amazing staff at the Chamber and those who have worked here in the past. Thank you to our current staff, Kim Oyler, Jennifer Dickens, and Madison Anderson-Oles your continued commitment to our members and the community will thrive. I know your knowledge and enthusiasm will continue to support economic growth and innovation for the interest of our members and the extended business community. I know you will provide all the necessary resources, connections, and advocacy to foster a thriving business environment. Thank you to the past and especially the current board of directors. You have helped guide the Chamber through good and difficult times. Thank you to all the members, your support has allowed the Chamber to provide programs, events, and so much more as we strive to grow our businesses and economy. Throughout my tenure, I have witnessed the resilience, ingenuity and passion that helped to define the Durango Chamber. From the 2008 economic downturn to the 416 Fire, to the Gold King Mine spill, and of course the pandemic, it has been an honor to work with such amazing and talented individuals. When my chamber colleagues ask, “How does Durango do it, you have so much happening in your town?” The answer is simple, it’s the people. Durango is fortunate to have incredibly dedicated individuals who are deeply passionate about a variety of causes. This passion drives them to find solutions and make things happen. Add in our numerous amenities – businesses, outdoor activities, mountains, the Animas River, Fort Lewis College, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, art galleries, and our downtown – the list goes on. When all these elements come together, we truly have a unique and exceptional community. This is why I am staying in Durango; I’ll be the GM for Hutton Broadcasting serving the Four Corners. Please know that my commitment to our community remains unwavering, and I look forward to finding new ways to contribute to our shared success in the future. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for your friendship, support, passion, and dedication over the years. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Durango Chamber of Commerce CEO and I will cherish the memories and relationships I’ve made during my time at the Chamber. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming chamber events wearing a different hat.
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By Jack Llewellyn, CEO of the Durango Chamber of Commerce
With spring break behind us, I am reminded summertime is when school is out, high school and college students are looking to gain experience. Coincidently, when I ask local businesses what are the challenges faced in today’s environment, one of the top three answers relate to finding skilled employees. As businesses navigate the shifting market landscape, the demand for a diverse, trained, and talented workforce grows. Recognizing this, numerous avenues exist that may contribute to the solution. These range from shadowing initiatives and internships to mentoring programs, enabling businesses/organizations to provide valuable practical experience to the next generation of workers. The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative recently launched a key initiative to help connect businesses and organizations who are interested in work-based learning opportunities for students in our region. Career Launch Southwest is a virtual tool that connects industry with our region’s high school students to promote workforce development. Any business or organization that wants to participate is eligible to take part in the program. Once you create an account, you can host a job shadow, be a guest speaker, participate in a career fair, or employ a student intern at a variety of commitment levels. Each of these options matches your availability with their interests. Job shadowing provides an avenue for businesses to engage with young talent at an early stage. Shadowing is a firsthand glimpse into the daily business operations. These programs allow the student to observe and “test drive” the career, typically for one day. This type of experience gives the student an idea of what the profession entails, ultimately deciding if they would like to explore the career further. Internships are more involved and can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid, or for credit. Interns typically are interested in a particular field, eager to gain real world experience. Interns bring a new perspective and can complete specific tasks quickly due to minimal daily interruptions. Internships are a cornerstone in the bridge between academic and real-world application. As an intern supervisor you will provide practical insights into your industry while the intern develops essential skills, builds networks, and grows their resume. If it’s a good match, you possibly have a future employee. Mentoring is a crucial part of nurturing talent. Mentoring can take place on the job or as a guest speaker. Mentoring can occur with an individual or a group of students. Offering your experiences and knowledge might be the key to piquing a young person’s interest in your profession. As a mentor, you can foster a culture of continuous learning, not only for the mentee but also for yourself. Programs like shadowing, internships and mentoring play a crucial role in shaping the future of our workforce. By investing in these initiatives, you not only expand the talent pool but also foster long-term advantages in recruitment, retention, innovation, and community engagement. Join us in being part of the solution and invest in our workforce pipeline. Key resources: Career Launch Southwest: swCoEdCollaborative.org FLC Handshake: FortLewis.joinhandshake.com by Jack Llewellyn, CEO Behind every thriving community is a camaraderie of businesses, nonprofits and individuals who are dedicated to making a difference and paying it forward. And Durango is fortunate to have so many incredible community contributors, but so often, these entities fly under the radar and are selflessly doing what is best for others without recognition. The Durango Chamber is proud to host the Durango Rocks Annual Awards event, honoring and celebrating local businesses and community leaders by presenting 12 prestigious awards. Last Thursday night was filled with excitement as we acknowledged the outstanding achievements of our exceptional nominees who are local businesses, community leaders and nonprofit organizations that are making a difference and positively contributing to our economy. Reviewing the list of recipients, you’ll undoubtably think of something they have done for our community. Congratulations to:
As you can see, each recipient exemplifies integrity, accountability, and resourcefulness. The diverse perspectives and experiences provide our community with an opportunity to thrive and succeed. As we continue to change and evolve, the Durango Rocks program is a time to celebrate. It serves as a reminder we can reach new goals and accomplish our dreams. And as part of that success, contribute making a difference. Find your passion and remember to give back and mentor others so they too can follow their passion. I also want to thank the Durango Chamber staff, without them, none of this could happen. Kim Oyler produced and directed the evening. Jennifer Dickens’ creativity welcomed the attendees with a year in review presentation and she designed the night’s program. And our newest team member, Madison Anderson-Oles handled social media, video assets and so many behind the scenes details. Thank you all for your dedication not only to the Chamber and Durango Rocks, but to our 700 members helping their businesses thrive. Durango Rocks is more than an awards program, it’s a chance to embrace the human spirit and the opportunities that arise as we collaborate to help one another, putting our differences aside. Throughout the year as you experience exceptional service or know someone who goes above and beyond, I invite you to nominate them. Simply go to https://www.durangobusiness.org/ and nominate. Let’s continue celebrating those that make Durango Rock. by Jack Llewellyn, CEO, Durango Chamber of Commerce As we begin a New Year, it is a good time to not only reflect on successes of 2023 but set strategic goals, dust off business plans, and update as needed. As small business owners, we are presented with unique challenges and opportunities. To navigate the ever-changing landscape here are some items to consider.
Buy Local! Support Jobs! Keep Money in the Local Economy! Nurture a Sense of Community! Support the Environment by Reducing Waste & Conserving Energy! |
From the CEO's Pen: Jack Llewellyn, Chief Executive Officer, Durango Chamber of Commerce There is a lot more to the Durango Chamber of Commerce than meets the eye. While networking events and other educational programs are integral to what we offer the community, we also work behind the scenes to support the well-being of local businesses, advocate on their behalf and provide resources for their employees, all creating economic vitality. |
The Durango Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that promotes and supports the local business community through communication, advocacy, education, leadership and financial viability.
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2301 Main Ave. | P.O. Box 2587 | Durango. CO 81302 Toll-Free: 888-414-0835 | Phone: 970-247-0312 | Fax: 970-385-7884 |