PYSK: Matt McCormick

Name: Matt McCormick, IOM, CCE

Title and company/organization: Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Age: 37

Job description: I execute the day-to-day operation of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce to further the achievement of the mission, goals and objectives.

Years lived in Columbia: This will be my first time to live in Columbia, and we are excited to explore and experience everything Columbia has to offer.

Original hometown: Lindale, Texas

Education: Bachelor of Arts from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas; graduate of the Institute for Organization Management, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Community involvement: I look forward to becoming a part of this community and getting involved in areas in which I would be an asset in assisting Columbia in continuing to grow and thrive.

Professional background: I’ve served as the president and CEO of the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce. Before that, I was the membership director at the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce.

A favorite recent project: Professionally, my favorite recent project was the completion of my Certified Chamber Executive designation through the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. This is the highest designation for executives in the chamber industry. Personally, my favorite recent project has been having two wonderful children who love adventure, playing and being silly.

A Columbia businessperson I admire and why: Because I am just now moving to Columbia, I have not had the opportunity to meet a great deal of people, so I will choose the Columbia Chamber instead. The Columbia Chamber is and has been a benchmark chamber in the industry for many years, and we will work to continue that.

Why I’m passionate about my job: I love having the opportunity to assist individuals, businesses and organizations in achieving their goals and aspirations. The Chamber provides this foundation for success while building and growing the business community.

If I weren’t doing this for a living, I would be: A professional race car driver or working behind the scenes as a stunt car driver.

Biggest career obstacle I’ve overcome and how: As a chamber professional, the greatest obstacle I have overcome is preserving the relevance and importance of chambers of commerce despite economic downturn and decline. Chambers foster local business potential, and by creating a network of business-minded and business-driven individuals, a community can rally together to support one another in times of need. This is an obstacle that has faced many chambers nationwide, and I am proud to say that through a combination of hard work, dedicated and perseverance, we have weathered the economic storm well.

What people should know about this profession: This is a profession that consistently challenges me and one that keeps me passionate about developing the best practices by which to catapult local business and economic development.

What I do for fun: We are a family that loves to be outdoors; our weekends are spent boating and playing outside with our children. Snow will be an exciting new adventure for our children. They are excited to play in the snow!

Family: I have been married for almost 16 years to my amazing wife, Tami, and we have two wonderful children: Braden, 7, and Ashlynn, 2.

Favorite place in Columbia: I cannot wait to find one!

Accomplishment I’m most proud of: I took my first chamber president/CEO position at the age of 24. I was the youngest chamber executive in the state of Texas, and this accomplishment is one that I look back on and could not be more proud of.

Most people don’t know that I: Have driven an Indy racecar and would love to get behind the wheel of another one.