March 30, 2021
“Hi COR fam! I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather, and your lives are slowly returning to some level of normalcy. Our local healthcare providers continue to do a fantastic job distributing COVID-19 vaccines giving us hope to end this pandemic soon. I am so proud of our region’s teamwork, collaboration, and resiliency over the last year.
Today, I’m reflecting on what an honor it is to serve on COR’s leadership team. I lead our monthly virtual board meetings and see community leaders, each positively impacting our region within their spheres of influence. I meet our members at in-person and virtual COR events and hear incredible stories of up-and-coming professionals finding their place in Columbia and shining in their respective industries.
I often think to myself, “What will this passionate group of Columbia champions accomplish for our region in the next five years? How about 10 years?” You all make our city a better place to live, even now.
COR members make a difference. The work we do is vital to Columbia’s regional competitiveness. If you want to see COR success stories, look no further than the 2021 mayoral race for the City of Columbia.
The three current primary candidates for the mayor position, Tameika Isaac Devine, Sam Johnson, and Daniel Rickenmann, are COR alumni. Councilwoman Isaac Devine and Councilman Rickenmann co-founded COR over 15 years ago. Johnson served as a board member for COR in its infancy. Our organization, without question, would not be the blossoming association that it is today without the contributions and leadership of these three civic leaders.
I’m proud that our three mayoral candidates all chose COR as an avenue to serve our community early in their careers. They saw the need for an organization that tangibly tackles talent retention and nurtures and connects professionals in our city. Our members’ accomplishments today, both within COR and beyond, are building upon the foundation they set for us.
With that in mind, I pose the questions to our members – where will you be in 15 years? How will the investment you put forth in our community today impact Columbia 15 years from now? From what I see as the board chair, the possibilities are endless and exciting.
COR is committed to helping you get there.”
-Chase Heatherly
