On the Job with Catherine Glover

“On the Job with….” is a weekly Sunday Inc. series, spotlighting area business owners and executives. Today’s interview is with Catherine Glover, president and CEO of th 1,200-member Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Q. If you were a young adult fresh out of college, what would you do first in searching for a job?

A. Ah, if I knew then what I know now….First of all, prior to graduation, I would have already reached out to any young professional groups in my area to begin the essential process of networking and professional development (over and above degree requirements). Now that I’ve graduated, I would research jobs in my field and in the area in which I chose to live as intently as possible. I would join any pertinent trade groups, and again, would put to use the ever-valuable networking tool. Hopefully, I was savvy enough to dig in to some pertinent intern opportunities within the area I was studying, and would again use my now expanding network. Networking, networking, networking!

Q. What was the first thing you spent money on when you received your first ever paycheck?

A. I truly hate to admit this, although Carlton Fletcher might get a kick out of this, I spent it on a double-record set entitled, “Cheech and Chong’s Wedding Album!” I must say, to my parents’ complete dismay.

Q. What’s the single most effective technique you found over the past two years for keeping employees motivated?

A. Heartfelt praise, desirous raise.

Q. What was your first job?

A. I worked in a little drive thru kiosk in the middle of a grocery store parking lot on the border of Lexington and Waltham, Mass., as a “Fotomate” for Fotomat.

Q. What led you to your current position?

A. I’m celebrating my 20th year in Chamber/Tourism and Economic Development, but what led me to Albany as my fifth Chamber of Commerce was really my parents. They have lived in Fitzgerald, Ga., for about 16 years now, and once my children were all grown and in college, we thought that it would be great to live close to my parents again. This job opened up, the timing was right, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Q. Do you have a role model or mentor in your career?

A. I don’t have just one role model or mentor, but a myriad of people who have both knowingly and unknowingly helped to guide me through a wonderful career. All of these folks come at life and at their career from many different directions. I learn from people every single day, and through trial and error, a belief in a strong community and through many blessings, I try to lead as I would be led.

Q. What is the biggest lesson you as a business leader learned from the recent recession?

A. I learned that we have a business community which is extremely savvy, entrepreneurial minded, ready to take risks to realize rewards, and who bands together for business and community-centric success. All of these elements are key in realizing a stronger business community at the other end of the recession.

Q. If you could turn the clock back on one aspect of technology – examples e-mail, automated phone systems, cell phones, PDAs, etc. – what would you most like to see go away?

A. Automated phone systems with absolutely no route to a live individual.

Q. What is your favorite work-related gadget?

A. My laptop.

Q. What was the last book you read?

A. When I am not reading trade journals and textbooks, I like to pleasure read books by Dean Koontz and John Saul. Since I moved to Albany a couple of years ago, I have been led to an innate discovery surrounding the joy and guidance found through reading the Bible.

Q. I’m up and going by?

A. Every single day is different for me. I may have to get up at 5:30 to get to an early morning meeting somewhere, or get to sleep in until 6 on a good day. My morning routing is basic: up, shower, make a cup of vanilla chai tea, off to work.

Q. Favorite hobbies or activity outside work?

A. Kicking back with absolutely no place to be which doesn’t happen often, is one of my most prized off time activities. I like to travel domestically, explore our state, ski, go to the gym, play golf (although not well), and on a rainy day, simply enjoy day-to-day tasks that get put off due to a busy daily schedule.

Q. Best thing about your job?

A. An amazing team.

Q. Worst thing about your job?

A. Early morning meetings.

Q. The most beneficial course I took in school was?

A. Christian Perspectives in Leadership

Q. What would be your dream job if you were able to pick a position outside your current career path?

A. I would like to be the CEO of the Walt Disney Company.

Q. Finish this thought; “on the first anniversary of my retirement, I see myself…

A. At a location where it is about 70 degrees, playing a good round of golf with some challenging companions, or floating gently along a serene river on a raft, with a cool beverage.

Q. What is the one trait a strong business leader cannot afford to be without?

A. Integrity

Q. Crystal ball time: What’s your call on when the economic recovery for our area will be in full swing?

A. I’ve studied the economy and have followed its progress and its setbacks. My call? We will be in full swing once again in the third or fourth quarter of 2012

Q. What kind of music might I find on your list of most played on your iPod?

A. Since I only listen to my iPod when I am working out, you might find rockin’ songs by Poison, Samantha Fox, Def Leppard, Motley Crue or Aerosmith.

Q. What do you think is the biggest change Albany will see in the next 10 years?

A. Working to bridge generational trends that focus too much on a racial divide and not enough on a community that simply looks at one another as friends, colleagues and collaborators; regardless of race.

Q. What was the best vacation you’ve ever taken? Why?

A. Although I have traveled to Dubai and China over the past couple of years, both of those rather exotic trips focused on business. That being said, my best vacation was a trip that I took to Mount Tremblant in Quebec, Canada, during the fall foliage season. It was a restful vacation with a palate of autumn hues that took my breath away. The resort itself, with shops that lined the base of the mountain, was quaint, diverse and wonderfully hospitable.

Q. What are the biggest changes you have seen in your specific line of business over the past few years?

A. A trend away from joining Chambers because it is the right thing to do to ensure a healthy economy and business climate, to businesses being much more frugal with their spending, and in some cases refraining from membership as they are looking to more of a direct ROI. Fortunately, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce realized that trend years ago, and is diligently focuses on providing membership benefits and services that help our member business acquire the means to thrive.