I recently sat down with our president and CEO, Mark Linabury, for a quick but meaningful episode of Take 5 With Tracie — a Greater EMC Chamber production. In just a few minutes we reflected on Mark’s upcoming six-year anniversary leading the chamber, celebrated the organization’s growth, and discussed the challenges and opportunities facing our business community. Below I’ve captured the highlights, key quotes, and ways you can get involved.

Mark’s Six-Year Milestone: Purpose-Driven Leadership

Mark is approaching his sixth work anniversary as our president and CEO, and his passion for the role is obvious. As he put it, "I wake up with purpose every morning... waking up to add value and make a difference." That drive has guided his leadership and shaped the chamber’s direction over the last six years.

What I’m Most Proud Of: Membership Growth and Shared Purpose

When I asked Mark what he's most proud of during his tenure, he pointed to where the chamber stands today: membership growth and an increasing understanding among members that the chamber’s work is about more than immediate returns. Members are embracing the idea of supporting a broader purpose — the voice of the business community — not just asking, "What’s in it for me?"

That shift from return on investment to value of investment is a big part of why our chamber is thriving in a region that’s growing faster than ever.

Keeping Up With Rapid Growth: Challenges and Invisible Work

Growth brings opportunities and challenges. For the chamber, one major challenge is keeping pace with the region’s rapid expansion. Mark reminded me that a lot of the chamber’s most important work isn’t always visible: drafting letters of support for business-friendly legislation, advocating for policies that benefit the whole business community, and building capacity for workforce development.

Workforce development is a top priority. As the area grows, businesses need a strong local talent pipeline to sustain expansion. The chamber is actively working to build those connections between employers, educators, and job seekers so our community can meet demand.

Pathway to Leadership EMC

One initiative Mark highlighted is Pathway to Leadership EMC — a program that fine-tunes leadership skills while immersing participants in what makes East Montgomery County work. It’s grown tremendously and is a great example of how the chamber cultivates future leaders who understand both business needs and community context.

A Message to Chamber Members: Gratitude and a Call to Continue Supporting Growth

Before we wrapped up, Mark shared a clear message to members: thank you. He thanked new members and those who renew, emphasizing that "without you, we have no purpose. We have no reason to exist." The chamber exists to serve its members and amplify the voice of business — and it’s membership engagement that makes our vision — a community where business and people thrive — possible.

How You Can Get Involved

• Renew or join the Greater EMC Chamber to support regional advocacy and programming.
• Explore the Pathway to Leadership EMC to develop leadership skills and connect with local leaders.
• Participate in workforce development initiatives — employers and partners both play a role.
• Follow the chamber on social media and sign up for updates to stay informed about opportunities to engage.

Conclusion: Keep Adding Value and Making a Difference

Mark’s leadership over the last six years has helped position the chamber to meet the demands of a fast-growing region. His commitment — summed up in his simple, powerful phrase to "add value and make a difference" — is both a reminder and a challenge for all of us. If you’re part of the Greater EMC business community, there are many ways to contribute to and benefit from the chamber’s work.

Thank you for reading. If you’d like to learn more, follow the Greater EMC Chamber on social media and visit the chamber website to get involved. Until next time, keep adding value and making a difference.