2023_Fall_ValpoMagazine

HEART AND SOUL OF VALPARAISO | CHAMBER STAFF
[PROFILES IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE]
Brie Zacharias
Vice President of Sales
and Marketing
Rex G. Richards,
CCE
President
Zacharias worked for the Times Media
Company for 30 years and was a previous
Chamber member before taking this role
responsible for nurturing relationships
with advertisers, partners, new members,
and ambassadors.
Where would you go
if you could go anywhere?
I like to travel so I want to see it all –
Scotland, Portugal, Spain, Alaska, and
France. I just feel that we’re better people if
we can immerse ourselves in other cultures.
What superpower do you bring
to the Valpo Chamber?
Since I’m a people person, I can make
people very comfortable quite easily.
Recently, I invited a nervous member to sit
with me at her first Chamber event. She said
to me, “You made us feel welcome and that
was so important to me and my husband.”
What do you do in
your free time?
When I’m not working, I like to read
books, watch murder mysteries, and
deepen my friendships.
Stephanie
Edwards
Vice President of Programs
and Communications
As an experienced news reporter and
publication owner for 12 years, Edwards
draws from her background to coordinate
the Chamber’s events and magazine.
What is your favorite series?
My favorite would be the Harry Potter series.
I loved reading the books and watching all
the movies and then, with my kids, we reread
and watched them all again.
What Valpo Chamber event
are you most looking forward
to?
I’ve been to Chamber Network Night about
three times with my previous company and it
was always so much fun. So, I’m most excited
to be on the other end of Chamber Network
Night, planning and coordinating the biggest
event we have.
What is something many
people get wrong about you?
Even though I was a news reporter, I don’t
enjoy public speaking. There’s something
different about talking to the camera and
standing in front of people watching me.
Right out of college at 22 years of age,
Richards was hired as president of his first
chamber and worked at a several different
chambers across the country before coming
to run the Valpo Chamber 17 years ago.
How many chambers have you
been associated with?
I’ve run seven chambers in three different
states over my total career.
In your opinion, which
networking events would help
businesses gain awareness?
I have a couple. We get a lot of social media
exposure when we do ribbon cuttings.
Another event that’s very important is our
countywide Chamber Network Night.
What do you enjoy most about
your job?
Historically, I’ve always enjoyed doing
business development. Which is why I am
also the president of a not-for-profit called
the Valparaiso Economic Development
Corporation. It’s a private partnership that
helps work to bring new jobs and investment
to the community. >>
12 FALL 2023 |