CHUBU

CHUBU

Closing Out Two Decades

ACCJ-Chubu leaders wrap up their terms

By Ray Proper and Michel Weenick

As the Chubu chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) reaches its 20th anniversary year, and we wrap up our two-year terms as the chapters representatives on the ACCJ Board of Governors, we would like to share our thoughts on the chapter’s first two decades and wishes for the next two.

MICHEL WEENICK (2020 GOVERNOR–CHUBU) As the first ACCJ-Chubu vice president, my fondest memories of the chapter are some of the earliest. I clearly remember the first trip that Robert Roche and I made to Tokyo to meet with then-ACCJ President Robert Grondine and Executive Director Donald Westmore to discuss merging our American Business Community of Nagoya (ABCN) with the ACCJ to form a Chubu chapter. I will not forget the graciousness of Robert and Don during that first meeting. Their willingness to allow our organization to retain autonomy and our fierce entrepreneurial spirit are the gifts on which the organization has built its history.

I have many other fond memories—too many to list in full—that include:

Camaraderie among members “Nommunicating” before that was even a word Twenty-four successful Walkathons All the Fall Balls Business programs Tremendous support from the US Consulate in Nagoya

And there is also the commitment of past and current ACCJ presidents and board members to invest their time in Nagoya and open doors for me in Tokyo. It’s a simple list on paper, but I remember and cherish the value I gained from each.

Finally, circling back to the Chubu chapter’s entrepreneurial spirit, I will never forget some words of wisdom from Robert Roche, spoken as early members were lamenting the difficulties of growing our businesses in the then somewhat-closed business community that was Nagoya. Robert’s message was simple: “If we members don’t do business with, and support, each other, then who the #@*% else will?” I’d like to believe that has been the unwritten motto of our chapter over the past 20 years, and it serves as a fine foundation for the future.

RAY PROPER (2020 VICE PRESIDENT-CHUBU) My favorite moment with the ACCJ is the first event that I put on for the Independent Business Committee. I had just joined the chamber—to make connections and push my career in

Whatever that payoff is to you—be it personal growth, building a phenomenal network, finding a job, or building a business—it is here if you are willing to put in the work.

Japan forward—and I suggested an event that was near and dear to me at the time: how to find a job in Japan. The committee agreed and invited me to organize and host it. It was precisely the responsibility and opportunity I wanted, and watching that event come off well—and become a semiannual tradition in our chapter—has been very satisfying.

Since I became a leader, much has changed in the Chubu chapter, and that evolution has continued in my current role as vice president. From the membership itself, our relationship with other chapters, the local community, and the chapter’s gravitation away from small business roots towards a more corporate atmosphere, change has created new challenges but has also kept us relevant and respected in this community. Looking ahead, I am excited to see what the future will bring and look forward to being a part of those changes.

KEEP GROWING To future leaders who will take us through new changes, the best thing you can do is get involved and commit to the organization. Members and leaders alike recognize that commitment and responsibility will follow. The greater the commitment, the greater the responsibility—and from those, excellent opportunities will come. Whatever that payoff is to you—be it per sonal growth, building a phenomenal network, finding a job, or building a business—it is here if you are willing to put in the work. The advantages and opportunities of membership increased substantially during the first 20 years of this chapter, and future leaders like you will create even more over the next 20.

The 20th anniversary year we had planned was not to be in 2020, thanks to the pandemic. But, through it all, our members’ spirit and enthusiasm have allowed the chapter to survive and thrive. We would like to thank the chapter leaders and members whom we are honored to serve, the broader ACCJ membership, ACCJ President Peter Fitzgerald and the Board of Governors, Chubu Chapter Operations Manager Noriko Kato, ACCJ Executive Director Laura Younger, all the ACCJ staff, and our big brother, the Kansai chapter, as well as The ACCJ Journal, which has allowed us to share our Chubu stories with you all over the past year.

Nagoya has changed so much over the past 20 years. Entrepreneurism often is associated with its traditional meaning tied to starting a new business. And even though the chapter has transformed since that original group of new business founders started the ABCN, we believe that the spirit and traits of entrepreneurs—creativity, risk-taking, passion, hard work, vision, and belief—will continue to be cornerstones of the chapter’s next 20 years. ■

Ray Proper

ACCJ-Chubu vice president

Michel Weenick

ACCJ-Chubu governor