January 7, 2025 • 22 mins
Angela Franco is President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC).
Prior to joining MCCC, Franco was President & CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce from 2020 to
2024. Her commitment to support and advocate for Chamber members demonstrates passion and
vision to grow the organization.
Prior to joining MCCC, Franco was President & CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce from 2020 to
2024. Her commitment to support and advocate for Chamber members demonstrates passion and
vision to grow the organization.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
M and T Bank resients.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
iHeartRadio's CEOs you should know powered by the Montgomery County
Economic Development Corporation.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
Let's meet Angela Franco. She is the president and CEO
for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Before we talk
more about their mission and what they do and the future,
I first asked Angela to talk a little bit about herself,
where she's from, and her origin story.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
I was born in Berkeley, California, and my father was
finishing his pH d in education, and I stayed there
like for six months or a year, and then we
went back to Columbia, where I grew up. I was
like a year old and I lived all my life
in Columbia until twenty four years ago or twenty three
years and a half.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Okay, So what brought you back to the US.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Well, I always say that he really was the hand
of God, like a lot of things came together. I
had worked in Columbia for like thirteen years, and it
was in a time of my life that I was
very decisive time of my life, and things worked out
in a way that I ended up moving here. I
got into an English course and then I started working
(01:09):
at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation. As
an intern, I met my mentor and then everything started
from there.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
All right, So we're going to obviously talk about what
you currently do. But you've done chamber of commerce for
a while now, including in DC, which I think is extraordinary.
But as you were getting out of school, did you
want to get into that line of business and chamber
of commerce? Is that something that really kind of turned
you on to something you wanted to do.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I don't have a memory of me saying I'm going
to be a CEO of a chamber of commerce, and
I never in my life thought that I was going
to be running a chamber of commerce in the United States.
What I love to do. I always loved numbers and
businesses and transactions, and I started my first business when
I was eleven years old. And the second thing that
(01:55):
I always loved was people and developing those relationships with people.
So that I guess that that's what brought me to
where I am right now. But I started my whole
career year working in the financial industry.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Let's talk a little bit about the DC Chamber of
Commerce just briefly before we talk about your current role.
Where you've been there for only three months, And I
want to talk about that transition too, because we have
a lot of entrepreneurs, CEOs and presidents to listen to
the series, and I think the transition from one municipality
to another, it is always interesting to see how that's
different and how they're the same. Well with that, how
(02:29):
was your experience with the DC one.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
So the DC Chamber of Commerce and the District of
Columbia are unique. Yes, they are many ways, Like the
District is the capital, federal government is there, you have
tons of nonprofits, you have all the embassies right there
is a very different city. It's a city that everybody
looks to invest to be, to go and see, to experience.
(02:56):
So there's a lot of people in, there's a lot
of activities, there's a lot of investments going on and
the Chamber. When I started at the Chamber, the Chamber
was going through a transition because it was in the
middle of COVID. So basically my role there was to
get the organization out of COVID and possession the organization
(03:19):
to be successful moving forward. There was a lot obviously
of politics involved, a lot of government relations involved, but
my role was there once I felt that was in
place and it was for somebody else to take over.
That's when I stepped down.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I kind of think that your job, because I'm a
big sports guy, is like being a quarterback of an
NFL team. You're ready to run a play. You have
the defense running at you, which means you have to
figure out which way you're going to go and how
you're going to do it and design everything and also
on the fly make a quick decision.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
I imagine in DC was kind of.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Like that, absolutely, and especially when you know when I
started at the Chamber, the Chamber had gone through a
lot of transitions, so we had to put a strategic
plan in place, put a lot of things in order.
And that's what I like doing. I like getting into
an organization, turning her around and projecting it to be successful.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Well, I love that, and that's a common thing with
a lot of our CEOs and presidents and entrepreneurs in
this series. All right, before we talk about mission and
what you do at Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, I
want to ask you about joining it. So you've gone
from DC now to Montgomery County. I can see why
they were interested in you for your great resume, and
all that you've done, why were you interested in joining them?
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Well, I live here and I had decided to step
down from the DC Chamber of Commerce, and I was like,
I'm going to do my business. I always said I'm
gonna do my business, but I always say wherever my
talent is needed, I'm going to end up there. And
I was recruited. They called me and they said, you know,
(04:55):
the chamber is open. I'm in the position of the chamber.
The CEO was there for like twenty years, so it
was a big transition for the organization. And I said,
you know what, I live right there. I was not
aware the chamber was so close to my house. It's
really really close. This is where I lived, this is
where my son goes to school. And I said, maybe
(05:16):
there's an opportunity that I can help. And I looked
at it. I really really really liked the board and
the way the chamber was structured, and I could see
some of the areas that we could improve. So I accepted,
and I've been there for three months.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
So it seemed like everything kind of fell into place.
I didn't want to ask you about this because you
mentioned you took over somebody that's been with this organization
for two decades, right, what's it like the takeover for
somebody who's been with an organization for that long, Because
I can see that you're bringing in new, fresh ideas,
but also people are used to somebody being around for
that long. My goodness, what was that transition like?
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:54):
So the first thing that was amazing, that it's very
very important when you do a transition, is that everything
was aligned. She was ready to retire, she was happy
with her retirement, she was happy that I was coming
on board.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
So basically you have a sign off in a very
positive way exactly.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
So the whole transition was positive, and I think that's
the first step for success. Sometimes you get into situations
and you know there's something that doesn't fit in. We
all know because we've all gone through it. It doesn't fit in.
But in this case, like everything fell in place. It
was timing, she was ready to retire. It was a
(06:32):
good transition for me. It's a perfect time for the organization.
The county is going to I mean, it's in a
time where we're going to have to start making some
decisions and making some changes. As you know, you have
your office here, so it was like everything fell in place,
and it just feels so right for me at this
(06:53):
specific moment in my life.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I love that a good fit always makes sense, and
then when it's easier and a transition makes it even
better for everybody. Concern not only you, but the people
that are going to be working for you.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
And your team.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
All right, we're obviously here to talk about the Montgomery
County Chamber of Commerce. I want to ask you about
mission statement.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
What is that? What's your mission?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
My mission is as a professional or my mission has
the Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce. So the mission
of the Chamber is to help our communities thrive. So
basic to help and to help the business community thrive.
So we want to do everything we can to help
the business community thrive in Montgomery County.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
All right, let's do this.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
If somebody is being introduced and I know a lot
of our listeners for the first time but probably heard
about the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
But they don't know exactly what you do.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
So if you were to give kind of a thirty
thousand foot view about telling people for the first time
what you do, what would you tell them?
Speaker 4 (07:44):
So I would say that what we do is that
we connect, we advocate, and we inform and educate.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Let's talk about membership, because I know that's a big
deal and it comes to businesses and the community. How
does somebody be a part of the Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
In our case, I mean you join as a member
and then you start attending the networking events and attending
some of the educational sessions we have. We don't have
a large membership. We have a very strong membership, so
a very solid membership, and I like meeting with our
members on one on one. So basically there's a journey
(08:26):
for every member to join. So you join the chamber,
then you can join a committee. There's different events that
we do. Some are free for members and we charge
for non members. We also have a Golf con CEO
that is a group of CEOs that are in the
government contracting space that they get together. And we have
the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County
(08:49):
Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
Foundation has a program for years that is called the
Veterans Institute for Procurement where we train veteran owned companies
to do business with the federal government. So we have
a large golf con representation. We have trained over twenty
six hundred companies.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
That's a big number.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
It's a big number, and it's a big it's a
big deal to support our veterans. And you know, forty
percent of businesses in Montgomery County our government contractor. Right, So,
I mean, we have AHHS here, we have an ih
SO and many others, and that's what we do through
the foundations. We have a lot of golf CONTs as
part of the chamber as well.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
You know, there's so many things happening in Montgomery County.
And one thing that I've learned, especially where iHeart is
and where I'm interviewing today, in the Rockville, Maryland area,
there's a lot of biotech. Biotech has moved into the area,
not to mention a lot of other things. The restaurants
and grocery stores.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Are moving in.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I mean, it really is incredible. This whole area is
really starting to grow exponentially. So I see that good
not only for businesses like you do, but also for
families as well.
Speaker 4 (09:52):
Right, I live here, I've lived here for twenty four years.
My son goes to public school, I love. I mean,
I really like the system. I love the county. It's
a great place to leave. And it was interesting because
when I was doing the transition to Montgomery County, I mean,
you never ask people where do you leave? What do
you do? Where's your business?
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Right?
Speaker 4 (10:11):
I mean, I mean I asked them in many case
where it's the business. But I was surprised to see
how many people share, Angela, you know what, I work here,
but I live in Montgomery County. I have my business
in Montgomery County. I grew up in Montgomery County and
it's been it has been incredible to experience and to
see that.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
And angel One more thing about membership. Is there a
criteria to being part of the Chamber of Commerce at all?
Speaker 4 (10:35):
No, we have it as a per number of members.
I always say when we talk about membership, and after
running two Chambers of Commerce, you have to belong to
an organization where you feel you're finding value for your
business right and is having clarity in what you're looking for?
What are you looking for when you join a chamber?
Are you looking to connect? Are you looking to you know,
(10:57):
get first that information? Are you looking to get involved
in government relations and advocacy. What are you looking for?
And I think that's the first step for any company
to join any organization and then look at the programs
that each chamber has, because I don't want people to
join and live after a year. I want people to
I mean, I would rather have our company, our businesses
(11:18):
attend some of the events, and then when you're ready
to join, you join for good and for the long run.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Why do we talk about events because you touched on
it just a little bit, but I imagine this is
a real big part of the Chamber of Commerce and
people getting together not only with fellowship but educationally learning
about the area and growing and getting better. Can you
talk about some of the events that you're most proud of?
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Yeah, So we have for signature events per year. One
is the Business Awards that is in November. Then we
have the Public Safety Awards. We partner with the county
to honor our people in safety. That's going to be
April twenty eighth. Then we have our annual meeting in June,
and then we have our Legislative Affairs event that is
(12:02):
in September. Those are four signature events.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Okay, I know that being an advocate is always a
big deal, especially for what you do and as CEO
and president, I imagine that trying to advocate and grow
and let people know about the incredible things that the
current membership has.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
You'd like that to expand. With that said, when you're advocating,
how do you do it?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (12:22):
And I advocate for the chamber and for people to join.
I think that everything starts with you as a leader
and with the board. You have to feel that you're
supported by your board and that you as a leader,
you know you're bringing that reliability to the companies. Unless
you trust that and you really have it in your heart,
(12:43):
people are not going to see it or feel it.
And I think that everything starts there, you know, And
that's a big lesson learned running membership organizations. You have
to I mean, if you're going to join an organization,
the first thing you're going to see is leadership.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Right.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Do I trust that person? Do I really think they're
going to do the best thing for me and I
And that's that's the best That for me is the
best selling point. And I want to use the selling
point because for me, it's more than a sell. Is
the best point I can say, you know, I have
the best interest for you, and I really do, because
(13:20):
that's what I've done all my life is advocate for
the business community large and small to be successful.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
You've only been in this world for three months, so
I'm not going to ask you about challenges that maybe
the Chamber of Commerce has because you would need some
time with that to figure out what's working, what's not,
and how do we get better. But I did want
to ask you esquescially because once again we have a
lot of leaders or future leaders to listen to this series.
You started a new role, but you came in with experience,
but still there's a transitional period where people have to
(13:49):
get used to you. You have to get used to
the job, and then all the membership and so forth.
What kind of challenges we're presented as you head in
the door in these first three months that you know
you say immediately and you're working on right now to
get better.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
I think that the first thing we mean we saw
is that we have to build a strategic plan and
we're working on it right now. And I also think
when you start a new job, you can never I
mean I brought experience, but I never see or I
never use that as an excuse. So it's like I
know it all and then I know what I'm going
to do. I always go, try to go with a
(14:26):
blank page and saying, let me see what's here, and
you know, what can we do to make it better?
So looking at the staff, looking at the board, looking
at the county. But what I see from the chamber's
perspective is playing a role in the transformation of the
county and improving the county as a whole.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
And maybe you could expound on this just a little
bit for us.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
But I've always been told and.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Learned as I get older than when I get into
a new job, to listen, because I think as human beings,
it's easy to react very quickly, talk a lot, and
not listen all the time. And it's some of the
best advice I've ever gotten, especially in a new job,
but not just as a new person. Regularly when you're
in a meeting or you're meeting with people, to listen.
Can you tell me a little bit about that as
a leader?
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Yeah? Well, first, I grew up with a father that
was a man of very few words, and he always
said you have to have four years and have a mouth.
So I don't feel like I need to speak all
the time. I feel like I need to be be present. No,
be And right now I'm observing. I'm getting to know
(15:35):
the board members, understanding why they're involved. You know what
is that that is there a passion about being involved
with the organization, talking to different businesses in the community
and understanding what has been their involvement with the chamber.
How do they look at the chamber of the future.
And you know, after COVID, a lot of the way
(15:55):
chambers connected with the community shifted and we have to
shift and adapt as well.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Well, yeah, it's interesting you see that, and not just
because of COVID, but I know that was a big
thing for the world that everybody had to pivot big time. Yes,
because there's not as many people in the workplace anymore.
Our habits are different, the way we eat and we
sleep and as we said, work, So I imagine that
beside pivoting, you really had to kind of look at
(16:22):
a new way of thinking of running the Chamber of
Commerce with the membership because everybody's going to be a
little bit different. There's a lot of diversity, I imagine,
and everybody does things a little bit different.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
But I like that.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
You talked about your dad and the way he rolled,
and you presented that to your work life, about listing
and to making sure that you learn about everybody the board,
your constituents, the membership and everybody is you grow into
that and that's also what I want to talk about
the future once again. I know you're new into the role,
but you talked about strategic planning. But what are the
(16:54):
things over the next year or two that you're really
looking forward to as a leader.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
I think that the main thing that I've you know,
thought through is working closely with the Economic Development Corporation
and the government here in Montgomery County to make our
county better.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Tell us why elaborate on that a little bit?
Speaker 4 (17:18):
So the Economic Development Corporation is setting up a plan
as well. As you know, jobs in Montgomery County has
been stacking at. Yes, there's development, but they set up
the brand control that is not really good for businesses.
So there are some things that are affecting the community
and I don't see that excitement in the business community
right now. And if we align ourselves with the Economic
(17:39):
Development Corporation, the government and the Chamber can build part
of the strategic plan around what needs to happen in
the county. I think would be a win win for everybody,
and that's kind of the way we want to do it.
That's the way me, I mean, the board and myself
and the staff are looking at it. And the second
part is legislation, and it's like, how we're going to
(18:02):
take the approach from the policy perspective, and how we're
going to either support legislation or oppose or make proposals,
and how it can be done better.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
One of the great things about this series, especially living
in the DMV because we're in this tremendous melting pot,
is that I'm talking to more and more women that
are leaders of companies, like yourself, some that are either
originally from other countries or like you were born here,
you went away and you came back, and it really
is the American dream and it just you know, I've
got a wife and a daughter, so I'm always looking
(18:34):
for role models for my daughter as you talk to,
whether they're immigrant women coming for the first time to
the US, or like you, born here, went away, came
back and running a company. Maybe just a little advice,
but I know that your journey is very specific to you,
but just in general terms, can you get some advice
to some of the young women out there that maybe
would like to run a company someday?
Speaker 4 (18:55):
Sure? So you know, I always calls something that is
I always use an expression that is crossing the line.
That is crossing the line is when you come from
being an immigrant Colombian, you know whatever, and then you
cross that line to really being immersed in the community.
And I always use an analogy that I love and
(19:17):
that I has been. It has been like a setting
point for me and a standard for me. So when
you go, when you go and visit somebody at their house,
you never go go to the kitchen and open the refrigerator.
Right you go, You build a relationship, You understand the
dynamics of the home, and it's going to it's gonna
(19:37):
come to a place that they're going to say, you
know what, we're so comfortable with you that go ahead
and open the refrigerator. And that has been the way
I've operated as a leader. And that's a recommendation that
I give to every immigrant that comes here. You cannot
go and impose you. You have to go and understand
how it works, and little by little you you bring
(19:59):
you into the conversation, you bring you into the community.
But I think that taking that approach of being a
soft having a soft enter, a soft door opening approach
is the way to go.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I think that's a well said and I love your analogy.
Nobody's ever said that on this program before. That's fun
and a great perspective. I didn't want to get some
final thoughts from you, and I've really enjoyed our conversation.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
And we're doing this in person.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
We don't do this often, but I'm glad we are,
and it's always nant to see people in person when
we do our interviews with CEOs. You should know, just
some final thoughts about the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce,
what you're doing, where you'd like this to go.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
The floor is yours.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Thank you well. First of all, thank you for inviting
me here and sharing my thoughts. I really appreciate it.
I think we have an amazing county that has plenty
of opportunities. A lot of new industries are you know,
flourishing here and are being born here. And I'm just
going to ask for everybody support ideas. I want to
(20:59):
hear from you of what you see the Chamber of
the future should be and what kind of initiatives and
programs we should build that would help you all.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
And people can get ahold of you through the website.
It's beautiful. Your team has designed something that's easy to navigate.
It's really cool on there, and it's up to date.
There's a lot of different things on the nab bar.
What's the website address for everybody so they can check
everything out.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Yeah, so the website is mcccmd dot com. Montgomery County
Chamber of Commerce mcccmd dot com.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Outstanding Angela, thanks for coming in. It's great to see
you in person. We really appreciate it and thank you
so much for joining us on CEOs.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
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M and T Bank resients.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
iHeartRadio's CEOs you should know powered by the Montgomery County
Economic Development Corporation.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
Let's meet Angela Franco. She is the president and CEO
for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Before we talk
more about their mission and what they do and the future,
I first asked Angela to talk a little bit about herself,
where she's from, and her origin story.
Speaker 4 (00:22):
I was born in Berkeley, California, and my father was
finishing his pH d in education, and I stayed there
like for six months or a year, and then we
went back to Columbia, where I grew up. I was
like a year old and I lived all my life
in Columbia until twenty four years ago or twenty three
years and a half.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
Okay, So what brought you back to the US.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Well, I always say that he really was the hand
of God, like a lot of things came together. I
had worked in Columbia for like thirteen years, and it
was in a time of my life that I was
very decisive time of my life, and things worked out
in a way that I ended up moving here. I
got into an English course and then I started working
(01:09):
at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation. As
an intern, I met my mentor and then everything started
from there.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
All right, So we're going to obviously talk about what
you currently do. But you've done chamber of commerce for
a while now, including in DC, which I think is extraordinary.
But as you were getting out of school, did you
want to get into that line of business and chamber
of commerce? Is that something that really kind of turned
you on to something you wanted to do.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
I don't have a memory of me saying I'm going
to be a CEO of a chamber of commerce, and
I never in my life thought that I was going
to be running a chamber of commerce in the United States.
What I love to do. I always loved numbers and
businesses and transactions, and I started my first business when
I was eleven years old. And the second thing that
(01:55):
I always loved was people and developing those relationships with people.
So that I guess that that's what brought me to
where I am right now. But I started my whole
career year working in the financial industry.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Let's talk a little bit about the DC Chamber of
Commerce just briefly before we talk about your current role.
Where you've been there for only three months, And I
want to talk about that transition too, because we have
a lot of entrepreneurs, CEOs and presidents to listen to
the series, and I think the transition from one municipality
to another, it is always interesting to see how that's
different and how they're the same. Well with that, how
(02:29):
was your experience with the DC one.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
So the DC Chamber of Commerce and the District of
Columbia are unique. Yes, they are many ways, Like the
District is the capital, federal government is there, you have
tons of nonprofits, you have all the embassies right there
is a very different city. It's a city that everybody
looks to invest to be, to go and see, to experience.
(02:56):
So there's a lot of people in, there's a lot
of activities, there's a lot of investments going on and
the Chamber. When I started at the Chamber, the Chamber
was going through a transition because it was in the
middle of COVID. So basically my role there was to
get the organization out of COVID and possession the organization
(03:19):
to be successful moving forward. There was a lot obviously
of politics involved, a lot of government relations involved, but
my role was there once I felt that was in
place and it was for somebody else to take over.
That's when I stepped down.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I kind of think that your job, because I'm a
big sports guy, is like being a quarterback of an
NFL team. You're ready to run a play. You have
the defense running at you, which means you have to
figure out which way you're going to go and how
you're going to do it and design everything and also
on the fly make a quick decision.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
I imagine in DC was kind of.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
Like that, absolutely, and especially when you know when I
started at the Chamber, the Chamber had gone through a
lot of transitions, so we had to put a strategic
plan in place, put a lot of things in order.
And that's what I like doing. I like getting into
an organization, turning her around and projecting it to be successful.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Well, I love that, and that's a common thing with
a lot of our CEOs and presidents and entrepreneurs in
this series. All right, before we talk about mission and
what you do at Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, I
want to ask you about joining it. So you've gone
from DC now to Montgomery County. I can see why
they were interested in you for your great resume, and
all that you've done, why were you interested in joining them?
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Well, I live here and I had decided to step
down from the DC Chamber of Commerce, and I was like,
I'm going to do my business. I always said I'm
gonna do my business, but I always say wherever my
talent is needed, I'm going to end up there. And
I was recruited. They called me and they said, you know,
(04:55):
the chamber is open. I'm in the position of the chamber.
The CEO was there for like twenty years, so it
was a big transition for the organization. And I said,
you know what, I live right there. I was not
aware the chamber was so close to my house. It's
really really close. This is where I lived, this is
where my son goes to school. And I said, maybe
(05:16):
there's an opportunity that I can help. And I looked
at it. I really really really liked the board and
the way the chamber was structured, and I could see
some of the areas that we could improve. So I accepted,
and I've been there for three months.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
So it seemed like everything kind of fell into place.
I didn't want to ask you about this because you
mentioned you took over somebody that's been with this organization
for two decades, right, what's it like the takeover for
somebody who's been with an organization for that long, Because
I can see that you're bringing in new, fresh ideas,
but also people are used to somebody being around for
that long. My goodness, what was that transition like?
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:54):
So the first thing that was amazing, that it's very
very important when you do a transition, is that everything
was aligned. She was ready to retire, she was happy
with her retirement, she was happy that I was coming
on board.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
So basically you have a sign off in a very
positive way exactly.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
So the whole transition was positive, and I think that's
the first step for success. Sometimes you get into situations
and you know there's something that doesn't fit in. We
all know because we've all gone through it. It doesn't fit in.
But in this case, like everything fell in place. It
was timing, she was ready to retire. It was a
(06:32):
good transition for me. It's a perfect time for the organization.
The county is going to I mean, it's in a
time where we're going to have to start making some
decisions and making some changes. As you know, you have
your office here, so it was like everything fell in place,
and it just feels so right for me at this
(06:53):
specific moment in my life.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
I love that a good fit always makes sense, and
then when it's easier and a transition makes it even
better for everybody. Concern not only you, but the people
that are going to be working for you.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
And your team.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
All right, we're obviously here to talk about the Montgomery
County Chamber of Commerce. I want to ask you about
mission statement.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
What is that? What's your mission?
Speaker 4 (07:11):
My mission is as a professional or my mission has
the Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce. So the mission
of the Chamber is to help our communities thrive. So
basic to help and to help the business community thrive.
So we want to do everything we can to help
the business community thrive in Montgomery County.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
All right, let's do this.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
If somebody is being introduced and I know a lot
of our listeners for the first time but probably heard
about the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
But they don't know exactly what you do.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
So if you were to give kind of a thirty
thousand foot view about telling people for the first time
what you do, what would you tell them?
Speaker 4 (07:44):
So I would say that what we do is that
we connect, we advocate, and we inform and educate.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Let's talk about membership, because I know that's a big
deal and it comes to businesses and the community. How
does somebody be a part of the Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
In our case, I mean you join as a member
and then you start attending the networking events and attending
some of the educational sessions we have. We don't have
a large membership. We have a very strong membership, so
a very solid membership, and I like meeting with our
members on one on one. So basically there's a journey
(08:26):
for every member to join. So you join the chamber,
then you can join a committee. There's different events that
we do. Some are free for members and we charge
for non members. We also have a Golf con CEO
that is a group of CEOs that are in the
government contracting space that they get together. And we have
the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County
(08:49):
Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
Foundation has a program for years that is called the
Veterans Institute for Procurement where we train veteran owned companies
to do business with the federal government. So we have
a large golf con representation. We have trained over twenty
six hundred companies.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
That's a big number.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
It's a big number, and it's a big it's a
big deal to support our veterans. And you know, forty
percent of businesses in Montgomery County our government contractor. Right, So,
I mean, we have AHHS here, we have an ih
SO and many others, and that's what we do through
the foundations. We have a lot of golf CONTs as
part of the chamber as well.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
You know, there's so many things happening in Montgomery County.
And one thing that I've learned, especially where iHeart is
and where I'm interviewing today, in the Rockville, Maryland area,
there's a lot of biotech. Biotech has moved into the area,
not to mention a lot of other things. The restaurants
and grocery stores.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Are moving in.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
I mean, it really is incredible. This whole area is
really starting to grow exponentially. So I see that good
not only for businesses like you do, but also for
families as well.
Speaker 4 (09:52):
Right, I live here, I've lived here for twenty four years.
My son goes to public school, I love. I mean,
I really like the system. I love the county. It's
a great place to leave. And it was interesting because
when I was doing the transition to Montgomery County, I mean,
you never ask people where do you leave? What do
you do? Where's your business?
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Right?
Speaker 4 (10:11):
I mean, I mean I asked them in many case
where it's the business. But I was surprised to see
how many people share, Angela, you know what, I work here,
but I live in Montgomery County. I have my business
in Montgomery County. I grew up in Montgomery County and
it's been it has been incredible to experience and to
see that.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
And angel One more thing about membership. Is there a
criteria to being part of the Chamber of Commerce at all?
Speaker 4 (10:35):
No, we have it as a per number of members.
I always say when we talk about membership, and after
running two Chambers of Commerce, you have to belong to
an organization where you feel you're finding value for your
business right and is having clarity in what you're looking for?
What are you looking for when you join a chamber?
Are you looking to connect? Are you looking to you know,
(10:57):
get first that information? Are you looking to get involved
in government relations and advocacy. What are you looking for?
And I think that's the first step for any company
to join any organization and then look at the programs
that each chamber has, because I don't want people to
join and live after a year. I want people to
I mean, I would rather have our company, our businesses
(11:18):
attend some of the events, and then when you're ready
to join, you join for good and for the long run.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
Why do we talk about events because you touched on
it just a little bit, but I imagine this is
a real big part of the Chamber of Commerce and
people getting together not only with fellowship but educationally learning
about the area and growing and getting better. Can you
talk about some of the events that you're most proud of?
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Yeah, So we have for signature events per year. One
is the Business Awards that is in November. Then we
have the Public Safety Awards. We partner with the county
to honor our people in safety. That's going to be
April twenty eighth. Then we have our annual meeting in June,
and then we have our Legislative Affairs event that is
(12:02):
in September. Those are four signature events.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Okay, I know that being an advocate is always a
big deal, especially for what you do and as CEO
and president, I imagine that trying to advocate and grow
and let people know about the incredible things that the
current membership has.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
You'd like that to expand. With that said, when you're advocating,
how do you do it?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (12:22):
And I advocate for the chamber and for people to join.
I think that everything starts with you as a leader
and with the board. You have to feel that you're
supported by your board and that you as a leader,
you know you're bringing that reliability to the companies. Unless
you trust that and you really have it in your heart,
(12:43):
people are not going to see it or feel it.
And I think that everything starts there, you know, And
that's a big lesson learned running membership organizations. You have
to I mean, if you're going to join an organization,
the first thing you're going to see is leadership.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Right.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Do I trust that person? Do I really think they're
going to do the best thing for me and I
And that's that's the best That for me is the
best selling point. And I want to use the selling
point because for me, it's more than a sell. Is
the best point I can say, you know, I have
the best interest for you, and I really do, because
(13:20):
that's what I've done all my life is advocate for
the business community large and small to be successful.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
You've only been in this world for three months, so
I'm not going to ask you about challenges that maybe
the Chamber of Commerce has because you would need some
time with that to figure out what's working, what's not,
and how do we get better. But I did want
to ask you esquescially because once again we have a
lot of leaders or future leaders to listen to this series.
You started a new role, but you came in with experience,
but still there's a transitional period where people have to
(13:49):
get used to you. You have to get used to
the job, and then all the membership and so forth.
What kind of challenges we're presented as you head in
the door in these first three months that you know
you say immediately and you're working on right now to
get better.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
I think that the first thing we mean we saw
is that we have to build a strategic plan and
we're working on it right now. And I also think
when you start a new job, you can never I
mean I brought experience, but I never see or I
never use that as an excuse. So it's like I
know it all and then I know what I'm going
to do. I always go, try to go with a
(14:26):
blank page and saying, let me see what's here, and
you know, what can we do to make it better?
So looking at the staff, looking at the board, looking
at the county. But what I see from the chamber's
perspective is playing a role in the transformation of the
county and improving the county as a whole.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
And maybe you could expound on this just a little
bit for us.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
But I've always been told and.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Learned as I get older than when I get into
a new job, to listen, because I think as human beings,
it's easy to react very quickly, talk a lot, and
not listen all the time. And it's some of the
best advice I've ever gotten, especially in a new job,
but not just as a new person. Regularly when you're
in a meeting or you're meeting with people, to listen.
Can you tell me a little bit about that as
a leader?
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Yeah? Well, first, I grew up with a father that
was a man of very few words, and he always
said you have to have four years and have a mouth.
So I don't feel like I need to speak all
the time. I feel like I need to be be present. No,
be And right now I'm observing. I'm getting to know
(15:35):
the board members, understanding why they're involved. You know what
is that that is there a passion about being involved
with the organization, talking to different businesses in the community
and understanding what has been their involvement with the chamber.
How do they look at the chamber of the future.
And you know, after COVID, a lot of the way
(15:55):
chambers connected with the community shifted and we have to
shift and adapt as well.
Speaker 3 (16:02):
Well, yeah, it's interesting you see that, and not just
because of COVID, but I know that was a big
thing for the world that everybody had to pivot big time. Yes,
because there's not as many people in the workplace anymore.
Our habits are different, the way we eat and we
sleep and as we said, work, So I imagine that
beside pivoting, you really had to kind of look at
(16:22):
a new way of thinking of running the Chamber of
Commerce with the membership because everybody's going to be a
little bit different. There's a lot of diversity, I imagine,
and everybody does things a little bit different.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
But I like that.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
You talked about your dad and the way he rolled,
and you presented that to your work life, about listing
and to making sure that you learn about everybody the board,
your constituents, the membership and everybody is you grow into
that and that's also what I want to talk about
the future once again. I know you're new into the role,
but you talked about strategic planning. But what are the
(16:54):
things over the next year or two that you're really
looking forward to as a leader.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
I think that the main thing that I've you know,
thought through is working closely with the Economic Development Corporation
and the government here in Montgomery County to make our
county better.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Tell us why elaborate on that a little bit?
Speaker 4 (17:18):
So the Economic Development Corporation is setting up a plan
as well. As you know, jobs in Montgomery County has
been stacking at. Yes, there's development, but they set up
the brand control that is not really good for businesses.
So there are some things that are affecting the community
and I don't see that excitement in the business community
right now. And if we align ourselves with the Economic
(17:39):
Development Corporation, the government and the Chamber can build part
of the strategic plan around what needs to happen in
the county. I think would be a win win for everybody,
and that's kind of the way we want to do it.
That's the way me, I mean, the board and myself
and the staff are looking at it. And the second
part is legislation, and it's like, how we're going to
(18:02):
take the approach from the policy perspective, and how we're
going to either support legislation or oppose or make proposals,
and how it can be done better.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
One of the great things about this series, especially living
in the DMV because we're in this tremendous melting pot,
is that I'm talking to more and more women that
are leaders of companies, like yourself, some that are either
originally from other countries or like you were born here,
you went away and you came back, and it really
is the American dream and it just you know, I've
got a wife and a daughter, so I'm always looking
(18:34):
for role models for my daughter as you talk to,
whether they're immigrant women coming for the first time to
the US, or like you, born here, went away, came
back and running a company. Maybe just a little advice,
but I know that your journey is very specific to you,
but just in general terms, can you get some advice
to some of the young women out there that maybe
would like to run a company someday?
Speaker 4 (18:55):
Sure? So you know, I always calls something that is
I always use an expression that is crossing the line.
That is crossing the line is when you come from
being an immigrant Colombian, you know whatever, and then you
cross that line to really being immersed in the community.
And I always use an analogy that I love and
(19:17):
that I has been. It has been like a setting
point for me and a standard for me. So when
you go, when you go and visit somebody at their house,
you never go go to the kitchen and open the refrigerator.
Right you go, You build a relationship, You understand the
dynamics of the home, and it's going to it's gonna
(19:37):
come to a place that they're going to say, you
know what, we're so comfortable with you that go ahead
and open the refrigerator. And that has been the way
I've operated as a leader. And that's a recommendation that
I give to every immigrant that comes here. You cannot
go and impose you. You have to go and understand
how it works, and little by little you you bring
(19:59):
you into the conversation, you bring you into the community.
But I think that taking that approach of being a
soft having a soft enter, a soft door opening approach
is the way to go.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
I love that.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
I think that's a well said and I love your analogy.
Nobody's ever said that on this program before. That's fun
and a great perspective. I didn't want to get some
final thoughts from you, and I've really enjoyed our conversation.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
And we're doing this in person.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
We don't do this often, but I'm glad we are,
and it's always nant to see people in person when
we do our interviews with CEOs. You should know, just
some final thoughts about the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce,
what you're doing, where you'd like this to go.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
The floor is yours.
Speaker 4 (20:38):
Thank you well. First of all, thank you for inviting
me here and sharing my thoughts. I really appreciate it.
I think we have an amazing county that has plenty
of opportunities. A lot of new industries are you know,
flourishing here and are being born here. And I'm just
going to ask for everybody support ideas. I want to
(20:59):
hear from you of what you see the Chamber of
the future should be and what kind of initiatives and
programs we should build that would help you all.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
And people can get ahold of you through the website.
It's beautiful. Your team has designed something that's easy to navigate.
It's really cool on there, and it's up to date.
There's a lot of different things on the nab bar.
What's the website address for everybody so they can check
everything out.
Speaker 4 (21:23):
Yeah, so the website is mcccmd dot com. Montgomery County
Chamber of Commerce mcccmd dot com.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Outstanding Angela, thanks for coming in. It's great to see
you in person. We really appreciate it and thank you
so much for joining us on CEOs.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
You should know Montgomery County, Maryland is built for business success.
Here CEOs find the resources, incentives, and support they need
to grow their businesses. From site selection to county provided incentives,
Montgomery County, Maryland is where innovation happens. Learn more at
Thinkmoco dot com. That's th h I n K m
oco dot com.
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