The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
New Chamber director ready to work
MADISON — Dawn Jackson hit the ground running as she assumed the role of Madison Chamber of Commerce executive director on Wednesday, June 21.
She was “at work” days before, attending the Daniel Hand High School Senior Award and Scholarship Ceremony 2023 and the Chamber Business with a Twist, in addition to meeting with the Economic Development Commission and Madison Retail Group.
Now in the office, she is focusing on the Aug. 17 Beachcomber Night, the June 27 annual dinner and meeting face to face with chamber members, currently totaling 338.
Jackson replaced Michele Call, who took over the position in 2021 upon the resignation of Eileen Banisch, who served as executive director for 27 years and currently serves as operations director.
Call’s husband recently retired and she is looking for a job that offers health benefits.
Jackson talked about Banisch’s longevity as chamber executive director.
“I think it’s an incredible legacy when someone commits such a large part of their life to their community and the businesses,” she said.
Over the years, the chamber has hosted many popular events, including Souper Bowl, Business Expo, Shredding Event, Antique Show, Beachy Affair, Beachcomber, Scarecrows Invade Madison, Trunk or Treat, Small Business Saturday and Ladies Night Out.
Jackson applauds the success of these events and the work of the chamber but notes, “It’s also wonderful for change to happen.”
“Post-COVID so many things have changed for so many, in their personal and business lives,” she said.
“So I’m looking forward to collaborating with the businesses, going out and talking with them about what’s changed for them and how the chamber may be that bridge from what we all knew to where we’re all going,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to introducing new marketing opportunities, programs and ideas, while embracing what we’ve done successfully in the past,” she added.
This opinion is shared by Sheri Cote who serves as economic development director for both Guilford and Madison.
“Dawn will definitely be a breath of fresh air,” she said. “They also have some new leadership changes at the board level, so John Mathers is coming in as chair and I think the two of them will be a very strong combination and represent the chamber very, very well.”
She talked about how important Jackson’s appointment is, especially with a board of directors “that changes regularly.”
“If your leadership or your CEO level does not change, things don’t change,” she said.
Jackson talked about some of the issues businesses have had to grapple with over the past couple of years.
“I think that the economy has changed a lot,” she said.
She said, “staffing presents challenges, supply chains are still presenting challenges because of the cost of goods.”
“So, I think that makes us become a little more creative,” she said. “Through collaborating I really believe we can pull together.”
She also talked about enhancing the office staffing, including taking on a high school intern, and enriching one of the fall events.
Paul Harris, president of the Chamber board of directors, was the first board member to interview Jackson.
After meeting with, Harris contacted the rest of the executive board and said, “You need to meet this gal. I want you to interview her and tell me if I’m wrong, but I think she’s the perfect fit.”
Harris said his recommendation was enthusiastically accepted.
“The rest of the board was very excited about it and supported it,” he said.
“I’m so excited to have her,” Harris said. “The way she communicates, she’s outgoing, her background, her experience; she just gave that air of confidence.”
Jackson lives in Guilford with her husband, Jeremy, 13-year-old daughter Olivia and 11-year-oldson, Hunter.
Her local experience includes working as development director and marketing outreach for Women & Family Life Center, and business development, outreach for the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce.
She currently serves as president of the Rotary Club of Guilford and a board member of Guilford Youth Mentoring and is involved with Junior Achievement.
She talked about coming to work in Madison after working and living in Guilford for years.
“It’s a community, it is the shoreline,” she said, sitting in her office at the Visitors Information Center and Chamber of Commerce Office.
“So, although there is a town line, I don’t think that there’s really a distinction for where people are willing to travel,” she said.
She talked about the town of Madison’s uniqueness.
“Guilford is more known for the Guilford Green,” she said.
“Madison is more known for its coastal communities,” she said. “So, therefore, I think that the downtown, with Post Road running through the main retail corridor, I think that that probably highlights more the downtown area.”
“That, therefore, provides an accessibility and a marketability, along with the demographics with our seasonal tourism that comes through, that I think is really appealing,” she said.
Call, who stayed on for two weeks training Jackson, talked about leaving the office in her successor’s hands.
“The one thing that I really feel like the Chamber could use is a new set of eyes from a marketing standpoint, really supporting the businesses,” she said.
“I feel like Dawn has the skill set to take the Chamber into a direction that’s just going to be — it’s going to be the awakening for this area.”
“She is a fabulous collaborator, and I think she’s going to work so well with the town and the EDC and really put Madison on the map,” she said. “We say it’s the magic of Madison and Dawn sees the magic and she knows how to market the magic.”
Madison Chamber of Commerce, 12 School St., Madison; 203-245-7394; chamber@madisonct.com; madisonct.com; Facebook Madison Chamber of Commerce; Instagram @madisoncoc.ct