My Journey in the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

I moved to St. Cloud in 2012 after accepting a corporate position with a multi-state focus. While this laid the groundwork for my coming endeavors, it left little room to engage with the local community. After nearly seven years, I left that position, launched my own business (Headwaters), and quickly realized how few connections I had and how little I understood about what St. Cloud truly has to offer.

When I joined the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce in late 2020, it was with the intention of making friends and building a business network. I expected it would also give me a chance to collaborate with others and perhaps make a modest contribution to those around me. What I greatly underestimated was just how transformative my involvement would be, both to myself and others. Instead of that modest contribution, I found myself part of a collective effort that not only helped establish and grow my business, but that also makes tangible differences in our community every day.

Shortly after I joined, I was approached by Mike Huey, a member of the Business Development Committee (BDC). This committee’s work centers around organizing 10 Lunchtime Learning sessions on various topics each year, as well as helping organize and promote the Supervisor Development Program and what is now known as the Advisory Peer Exchange (APEX Groups), formerly Professional Dialog Groups. So, at Mike’s urging, I joined the committee. Little did I know what that would lead to 3 ½ years later.

In my first year and a half, I focused on understanding our mission and contributed where I could. It was during this period I noticed the need to bring more in-depth learning opportunities to those the BDC serves. I envisioned topics that were current and highly relevant that needed to be covered in more of a half-day “summit” type format. We placed the idea, which Laura Wagner, our Chamber Liaison, fittingly dubbed the “New Element”, in our idea “parking lot”.

The following year, Troy Lenarz assumed the role of Chair and asked me to be his Vice Chair. Coincidentally, at that same time I was asked by Chamber President, Julie Lunning if I was willing to serve on the Chamber Board. After some additional urging from each, I said “Yes” to both opportunities.

During my first year on the Board, Rachael Sogge, Chair of the Marketing Committee presented to us efforts she and her committee had undertaken in the Chamber’s rebranding initiative. One underlying theme was to expand the Chamber’s voice and focus beyond our membership to advocate for all businesses in our area, from all backgrounds and communities. As part of this, each committee was asked how they could contribute. It was out of this that our “New Element” was removed from the parking lot. In September of 2023 businesses and community leaders came together, and our first DEI Action Summit was born. It sold out!

In this past year, now as Chair, we achieved another major milestone by transforming the Professional Dialog Groups, which had still not fully rebounded since the COVID pandemic.  Many hours were spent by BDC members in benchmarking other programs, landing on an exciting new format, coming up with a name and marketing materials, and getting the Advisory Peer Exchange to the launchpad where it is now. This, along with continued success of our other programs, including another DEI Action Summit happening in October, 2024 (in a space that is more than twice the size of our first one), reflects the incredible teamwork and dedication of those I have had the pleasure of leading and serving with. As my term came to an end, I realized that the most valuable aspect has been contributing to the growth and strength of the St. Cloud community. While I’ve built lasting connections and strengthened my business, the true reward has been the collective impact we’ve made together.

As I step away from my role as Chair, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the experiences, the relationships I’ve formed, and the opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways. Receiving a Vesta at the 2024 Annual Chamber Celebration is a humbling reminder of the power of collaboration and the difference we can make when we come together with purpose. While I proudly accept this award for helping to lead many of these initiatives, I am deeply honored to accept it on behalf of those who helped make them a reality. In addition to those previously mentioned, thank you to my wife, Kiessa Webster for all her support, incoming Chair and Vice Chair Paula Capes and Sarah Dean, as well as others like Brad Hoelscher, Matthew Siers, CRPC™, Laura Hartog, Charlene Ridlon, Jeremy Johnson, Tricia Schleper, Zack Rieger, Kelly Doss, Kris Nelson, Steven Andres, Bisharo Dadow, Travis Theis, Emily Bertram, Kelti Lorence, Gail Ivers, the rest of the Chamber staff, and so many more.

My time with the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce has been about much more than just business—it’s been about the people and the connections I’ve made along the way. Working closely with such a talented and dedicated group has been the most rewarding part of my experience, and it’s those relationships that have made the biggest impact on me. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I look forward to many more years of service and continued collaboration within this incredible community.

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Douglas Cook is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and is the Senior Value Advisor at Headwaters Strategic Succession Consulting, LLC. He specializes in helping business owners formulate exit strategies while helping to increase the transferrable value of their companies.