A Connection I Didn’t See Coming

Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings, and I am particularly grateful for all the ways in which my life has been enriched recently from an unlikely source.

We moved to our property in the Florida Panhandle over the summer and the community I have found in the Washington County Chamber of Commerce is more wonderful than I could have imagined.

Building Connections in a New Community

Although my address has changed, my work as a financial advisor at Allen & Company continues remotely with my existing clients and I’m working to grow my client base in my new hometown. To that end, joining the Chamber felt like a wise move.

The Value of Mentorship and Lifelong Learning

We’re never too old to be mentored and whether she knows it, Chamber Executive Director Shirley Parrado has become a mentor of sorts to me. She encouraged me when I expressed interest in joining the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Committee and applying for Lead Washington, a leadership development program. She often points out opportunities for me to share information about my services with other Chamber members.

She also has served as a wonderful example of what it means to be a leader who still is teachable. Shirley and I are newer Washington County residents. The Chamber hosts the Lead Washington program, but in addition to running the program Shirley also is a participant in this cohort. What a wonderful example of a leader who publicly acknowledges that she has much to learn about her new hometown.

Giving Back Through Community Involvement

I’m blessed to be at a stage in life where I can volunteer more, and there has been no shortage of opportunities to do so through the Chamber. I’ve attended ribbon cuttings for new businesses, and I’ve helped honor businesses when they are selected as a Business of the Month. It has been a great way to meet owners and their employees.

Good professional connections for me are Certified Public Accountants. Thanks to the Chamber, I’ve met two.

Finding a Sense of Belonging

It would be easy to view Chamber membership only through a lens of “what’s in it for me,” but I truly look forward to the ways in which I can contribute to others through my participation.

If you’re new to an area, I encourage you to seek opportunities to get plugged into the community. Maybe that’s through your local Chamber of Commerce or Main Street organization, but it also can be through garden clubs, women’s clubs and churches. Finding ways to get involved has made me feel like I belong here. That’s a great feeling!

November 2026