Sean O’Connell will be installed as the new chairman of the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce at its March 12 “Biz Breakfast.” Photo by Tim Peterson.
In his 30 years as a certified public accountant with the firm PBMares, Sean O’Connell has worked in Harrisonburg, Fredericksburg and spent close to the last decade in northern Virginia. In becoming involved with the 60-year-old Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, the biggest difference he saw was the first two locations each had regional chambers with vast footprints.
“In Fairfax County, there are over eight different chambers of commerce because the area is so diverse,” said O’Connell, referencing everything from mom-and-pop shops and other retail to restaurants and Walmart. “It would never be served by one chamber.”
He acknowledged the greater Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, but whereas they’re geared more to larger bus, “we’re typically more connected to owner-managed businesses,” he said.
O’Connell was formerly president of the Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce but took on the role of chairman at the beginning of February. He’ll be installed formally at the group’s March 11 “Biz Breakfast” networking event at Belle Haven Country Club, featuring commentary from the new Hilltop Village Center Wegmans store manager Mike Dempsey and service manager Matt Spath.
Engaging with more of those diverse businesses are among O’Connell’s goals for his term as chairman.
“We see the area growing, with a lot of additional businesses and folks that haven't been a member of any chamber,” he said. “We need to reach out to them, get them to understand what we can do for them and their business. That rises everyone's boat, if we have a larger membership.”
One of the changes already taking place in the chamber is the shift from a system of dues based on the size of the business to tiers of sponsorship for the combination of services the business wants from its membership. These include access to networking opportunities, having the chamber advocate for business positions and work with legislative affairs.
“We're seeing this as the future of the chamber,” said O’Connell, “something that fits more into their budget.”
The new chairman is also committed to increasing the dialogue among board members and the 317 member organizations. Typically feedback about the services members receive has occurred informally, O’Connell said, but, “For those not on the board, we want to systematically have discussions with them to get their input on what they'd like to see, changes they’d like to explore, touching base and reporting back.”
FRANCONIA RESIDENT Tony Riolo is a community lender with Burke & Herbert Bank, and sat on the board of the Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce for 20 years. Becoming chairman is the structured progression from vice president and president of the chamber’s board, but he also believes O’Connell is very well suited to the position.
“He has an even temperament, I don’t think ever seen him upset about anything,” said Riolo. “Maybe that has to do with being a CPA, you roll with the punches. I’ve worked with Sean on the budget committee and he’s just a nice person to deal with.”
Riolo has seen O’Connell’s even keel help draw a consensus numerous times on the chamber’s board, a quality he thinks will continue to serve him as chair.
“When you have 20 people on a board, it’s like herding cats,” Riolo said. “It’s rare to get everyone to agree to everything. I think the chamber’s in very good hands with him.”
Mark Adams of west Alexandria owns an information technology services company working with the federal government. He’s worked with O’Connell and his firm for accounting services over the course of managing three smaller similar companies.
“He’s very imaginative,” said Adams, “to come up with solutions to problems you thought may not have had solutions and still stay on the right side of the deal. It’s unusual to have a number-cruncher guy, so high in his profession, to be able to add a high level of imagination.”
Adams thinks O’Connell’s highly nuanced approach to helping his businesses grow should benefit the larger community through his role as chair.
“I have a high level of trust and confidence in his recommendations and suggestions,” said Adams. “He would give me the right suggestions and alternatives for what we were doing in a tax sense and I think that will all carry over.”
O’Connell sees the need for imagination in finding new ways to grow with the membership and community, interacting not only with businesses, but also charity groups and historical resources.
“We have issues with people who speak English as a second language,” he said, “in gaining life skills, transportation, workforce, the fact that there are plenty of jobs, plenty of need in the community, it's just matching up the workers with the positions.
“We hear from the charities involved with the chamber,” he continued, “their experience with homelessness, poverty and health challenges right around our community.”
O’CONNELL is also a leader in his faith community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Keith Davey of Mount Vernon is the stake president of the same church and has seen O’Connell’s leadership from both a business side and in the faith-based context.
“He’s very professional, very calm, methodical and detailed.” said Davey. “He has a clear vision of where he wants to go and lays out a good action plan to get there. He has not an overly effusive demeanor, but a quiet confidence and trust and respect.”
Davey recalled a recent example when O’Connell coordinated the field trip of 30 12-18-year olds and 10 adult leaders to visit and worship at the Mormon Temple. Managing the logistics was no small task, he said: “Sean was very careful to elicit the opinions and insights of those that would be directly involved in delivering that to a successful conclusion.”
For more information on the Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce, visit www.mountvernon-leechamber.org.