Chairman's Vision for 2010
Active in a number of leadership roles, Howard Baker has lent his time and expertise to a number of area organizations including the North Chamber, and as senior vice president and chief of staff at Security Service Federal Credit Union, he's at the center of the credit union's top-level dealings. And still, Baker dedicates the time to serve as a champion for education, property owners, children and the business community.
With more than two decades of credit union regulatory and management experience, Baker brings years of understanding and his personal vision to the 2010 chairmanship of the North Chamber and its non-profit arm Lead SA. And in the coming year, he will guide the board to influence the areas of transportation, small business development and the advancement of higher education.
Recognizing that the mitigation of road congestion is an essential quality of life issue that also affects economic growth and development, this chamber will continue to focus on transportation infrastructure in 2010.
"On the north side, transportation conditions continue to worsen," says Baker. "Vocal opposition to infrastructure planning and funding have effectively brought road development and construction to a stand-still in the most critical geographic areas of need."
In response, the North Chamber will advocate for diversified funding sources and seek to be a part of a long-term, regional transportation solution. "Funding sources could include a local tax, indexed gas tax, tolls, federal funding, state funding and others," says Baker.
The North Chamber's role in finding a solution starts with the organization's involvement in the San Antonio Mobility Coalition (SAMCo). As an associate member of SAMCo, North Chamber President and CEO, Duane Wilson, keeps his finger on the pulse of the community's short and long-term funding needs.
"The North Chamber's goals include communicating our position to elected officials, promoting cooperation among all decision-making entities and participating in the dissemination of accurate information to all stakeholders, especially North Chamber members," says Wilson.
Baker approach is to be straightforward with chamber membership. "Texas is growing. Our infrastructure needs are growing. Funding resources just aren't keeping up with the need. We'll be providing members with accurate information as this region moves closer to a funding solution."
Over the last 35 years, the North Chamber has not only demonstrated its commitment to infrastructure development, improvement and maintenance, but it has also established itself as a chamber that's sensitive to small business and the issues that affect their success.
"Small businesses feel the economic pinch just as severely as do larger businesses," says Baker. "As a key component of economic and job growth, the niche carved and cultivated by the North Chamber will be leveraged to deliver real assistance to small business members."
Given the persistence of current economic woes, Baker says that a renewed emphasis on small business will help members find value in their North Chamber membership, and assist them in managing their businesses.
"We're committed to keeping San Antonio strong through our advocacy efforts, as well as through quality recognition, professional development and networking programming. We'll offer programs with higher visibility, and expand as necessary in response to issues that small businesses are facing today," says Baker.
With a growing concentration of information technology and security, financial services, medical-related, and other employers that require degreed job candidates, Baker says the essential nature of higher education in the region is apparent. Throughout 2010, the North Chamber will continue to foster ongoing relationships with San Antonio's institutions of higher education in an effort to identify solutions that enhance their missions and work in cooperation to assist them in implementing these solutions.
"State supported higher education opportunities that facilitate students' ability to stay close to home stand to benefit young San Antonians," says Baker, and he points to several recent notable developments that could potentially improve San Antonio's higher education outlook.
"UTSA achieving Tier One status is an incredible opportunity to draw the nation's top research talent and many more local and non-resident students to the university and the city. A merger of UTSA and the Health Science Center could provide a pathway for UTSA in its emergence as a research institution," says Baker – emphasizing that their leadership know best the political, social and financial impact of the proposed integration of the institutions.
Baker also notes that San Antonio is fortunate to be home to several well-respected public and private institutions of higher learning, "all of which equip and generate young professionals," says Baker. "Our city and workforce are stronger because of them."
Finally, Baker is excited to assume the chairmanship in January. He says, "I don't know of another local organization that has as much impact or that is as cooperative as the North Chamber. I encourage members to maximize their membership for the personal and professional gains it offers."
