Chamber Spotlight: Cindi Howard

Cindi Chamber Spotlight: Howard

by Caylie Howard | photos courtesy of Flower Mound Chamber

Twenty years ago, Cindi Howard got a phone call that would begin her two-decade long journey of being a part of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce family. Her long-time friend, Kathy Beahm, worked at the Chamber and expressed that they were in need of someone to answer the phones for them.

“I had just put my three-year-old in Before she knew it, her two days at the mother’s day out twice a week. I told them, Chamber expanded to even more days, ‘I’ll give you those which then led to a fulldays, but that’s it.’ I hadn’t planned on “When all of the parts time position. “I have done every job that there going back to work. is to do at the Chamber.” I was a full-time mommy.” She said. work, and all of the She says. She started out as the receptionist doing Her family and her faith have always been the center of her world. She says that her husband of 35 years, parts are great and strong, it makes for a administrative work, then became the membership director, which led to her becoming the vice president of the Chamber. Clifford, has always Not only did she fill been her rock. “He has supported great organization.” all of those shoes, she also acted as interim me in every step president two separate and new endeavor in my career at the times when she was the sole remaining Chamber. I couldn’t have done any of staff member. “I did the best and as much this without him.” as I could to keep us afloat.” She said. During one of those times, Cindi enlisted the help of Kelly Heslep to assist in the day-to-day stuff that Cindi wasn’t able to do alone. Their big event of the year, Fiesta Flower Mound, which just celebrated it’s 23rd year in 2020, was coming up. Kelly excelled in party planning, and there was no one more perfect for the job. Cindi and Kelly had a wonderful relationship as long-time friends, which quickly grew to become an amazing work relationship as well when Kelly was brought on to the Flower Mound Chamber family by the Board of Directors.

Seven years ago, the board made the decision to hire Lori Walker as acting president of the Chamber. Before her role as president, she had been a loyal member of the Board of Directors for 10 years. Her strong attention to detail and her drive for perfection make her the ideal leader for the Chamber Team.

Mary Ailor has proven to be an essential member of the Chamber family. Her friendly and bubbly personality make her the perfect person to greet each person that walks into the Chamber doors. “She

is the first to greet you with a smile and great organization.” she says. “Our team is When asked what her main reason is open arms.” Cindi says. made up of different ages and all different for staying at the Chamber for 20 years, Ginger Eads is an essential part of qualities that make up a great team. We Cindi’s response was, “It’s all I know. the Chamber’s extended staff. She stand together.” It’s what I know how to do. It’s all of the works as the Flower Mound things that I love to do. It’s comfortable. Chamber’s CPA and operates out of the Chamber “I love the people and the members. I love the people and the members. I’ve gained great office. “We were together relationships with the people when there was no one else. She is and always will be I’ve gained great relationships with the of the community. I’ve stayed because of the people that very special to me.” Cindi says. people of the community.” I work with. The board is wonderful. I don’t want to do anything else. I love what I’m Cindi says that all of these women are key components to the success of the Flower Mound Chamber of Cindi attended the Institute of Organizational Management when doing. I love getting up and going to work.” Commerce. Every member is essential to becoming a full-time member of the Cindi Howard has proven that the journey keep the Chamber functioning at its best. Chamber. It’s a four-year long program isn’t about the end goal but about the “When all of the parts work, and all of the that she attended for one week every people and relationships that you build parts are great and strong, it makes for a summer at the University of Notre Dame. along the way.