Message From the Board Chairman

Thank you for electing me Chairman of the Board of the Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce. I will work hard to further the mission of the Chamber. You may be thinking, why is this guy who talks so funny our new Chairperson. To explain this I thought it would be insightful if I shared some of my personal background.

I wasn’t such a lucky guy in my younger years.   I was involved in two serious car accidents, one severing my tongue and the other leaving me with lifelong scars that continue to remind me about adversity.  These accidents occurred after I broke my neck in a wrestling accident.  I finished the match, but after I got to the hospital, I did not get out of bed for four months, but with a full recovery.  This is an example of how I deal with adversity. 

With the current economic times that we are experiencing, the Chamber has been facing adversity. Having experienced adversity, I feel adversity is not something to be feared but rather a problem to be solved. From a more positive perspective, let me share with you why I think I am equipped to help the chamber face adversity through 2010

1)      I worked in a major corporate environment, at Northern Trust Company for 17 years (I know big business as well as the adversity of corporate politics) I started D3 Financial Counselors in 1997.  I know small businesses and how to survive adversity having experienced the two worst financial markets since the great depression. 

2)      I volunteer my time regularly and have assisted numerous non profit organizations.  I was the President and Chairman of the Illinois Financial Planning Association (a 1300 member organization) and most recently served as Chairman of a community development finance organization in Wisconsin and as the co-treasurer of the Downers Grove North Boosters Club. I know how to organize and prioritize, recognizing the adversity of the demands on my time..

3)      Lastly, I believe in commitment. One of the things we have committed to is using Chamber Members in every aspect of our business. From office supplies to legal services, from insurance to client meals at local restaurants.  From website redesign to catering our ribbon cutting, the one requirement is that all these providers be Chamber Members.  Buy Chamber is my moto.  I hope you make it yours. 

Hillary Clinton wrote a book called “It takes a Village.” Ostensibly the title of the book was taken from a Nigerian proverb about how it takes a community effort to raise a child.  To make Buy Chamber a success, it will take a community effort to raise the Chamber. As Chamber Members we need to emphasize to our friends and neighbors in our communities how important it is for all of us to support the Member businesses of the Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 

In summary, it will be these experiences, skills and commitment that I intend to bring to the Chamber to help achieve our mission; which is to serve the community as the premier business resource for you the Members, by providing and protecting economic opportunity essential to helping you operate and grow a successful enterprise.

Don Duncan
D3 Financial Counselors

Complete list of Board Members