I’m back from a week vacationing, and I have some interesting observations to share, but I’m going to hold that for a future discussion. Instead, I’m going to take advantage of some ill-timed vacations and introduce you to a couple of other folks at the Chamber. While everyone in this building is important to our organization’s success, the following two individuals work almost daily with government affairs on our legislative efforts.
First, there’s Lesley Smith, the Chamber’s Director, Communications. Lesley came to us from the House Democratic press room. She writes almost all of our regular publications and serves as the Chamber’s prime contact for the press. She’s our gatekeeper when reporters call for comment on even the most innocuous issue. She’s also one who, if necessary, is willing to sacrifice her time when the legislature is in session at all hours. That says a lot, because if you knew Lesley, you’d know that pulling her away from shopping is a miracle in-and-of-itself. So to VISA and MasterCard, we do apologize.
The other person I must introduce is Lesley’s boss, my colleague and friend, and my pesky editor, Maura Donley. Once a lobbyist for the Chamber, Maura now serves as the Chamber’s Vice President, Membership and Communications. Maura has been with the Chamber for many, many moons (and that’s not a comment on age, before anyone thinks I should pay for that one), originally coming to us from former Governor Casey’s administration.
Since Maura is not here to defend herself, I’m going to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit more about her; She’s Irish, which means she knows the good bars; She’s a family person, which means she’s quick to tell stories about her siblings and parents (o.k. that applies to being Irish, too); and she’s never wrong. Well, she thinks she’s never wrong – it’s actually ME that’s never wrong. (And with that, is it any surprise I now understand what it means to “get one’s Irish up”?)
Kidding aside, Maura is a great asset to this organization and the business community as a whole. She has a sharp mind and a sharp wit (which means I’ll be paying for this blog at some point). When Maura’s not yelling at me because she thinks she’s right and I’m wrong, she’s usually getting a 100 yard advantage off the ladies’ tee, which I still contend is unfair!
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