Maureen Solverson - MOST LIKELY TO KNOW EVERYONE IN THE ROOM

Maureen Solverson lives by late President Ronald Reagan’s creed that ‘you can’t help everyone, but you can help someone.’ It’s not just part of her job; it’s part of her fabric.

There are very few people Solverson doesn’t know when she walks into a room. And if she doesn’t, she will by the end of the night. It comes from years of networking for both her job as national sales advisor for American Business Co. (a premium item company) and her volunteer work.

But that wasn’t always the case for the Rockford native who says it took her years to get comfortable with the idea of networking. Now, it’s second nature.

When Solverson started working for her company more than 25 years ago, she dreaded the thought of making cold calls.

“I was told no so much that it made me go home and cry,” she said. “But my husband, Steve, was my biggest cheerleader.”

Solverson became an ambassador for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer role she still fills today. She was one of the first members of the Advantage Group Originals, a chamber networking group known for the TP Tower fundraiser. She’s also a member of the Rockford Network of Professional Women board.

Early on, as an ambassador, Solverson often volunteered at the front table, checking in guests. As a result, she’s made several contacts and helped others connect.

“It seems like a small thing, but to me it’s huge,” she said. “People want that interaction and are happy to be connected."

Solverson met many of her closest friends through networking events.

“People energize me,” she said. “I’m in my element when I’m meeting people.”