ARTICLE
Alison B. Pickel, executive vice president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Easton and Phillipsburg initiatives, is spearheading efforts to expand chamber membership into Warren County, N.J. With support from the business-boosting group’s Phillipsburg Area Chamber board, the chamber is offering free (normally $375) membership for one year, and the group will host a networking event Nov. 3. Pickel, 29, who grew up in Phillipsburg and lives in Williams Township with her husband, Matt, is the subject of this week’s Q&A. Q. How did you wind up working for the chamber? A. The chamber came to my attention through my aunt, Laura Azzalina, who was involved with the women’s business council. I was networking with some of her contacts, including Anne Baum. (Pickel began as executive assistant; she has since been promoted to her current position.) Q. Why did you take a position with the chamber? A. I always knew that I wanted to do something where I was very hands on. My mom, Lynn Harrison, worked for 19 years in the community and she, ironically, was the one planning the [Phillipsburg] Ole Towne Festival, which is an event I now plan. So I grew up in a family that was very engaged in their community, and I knew ultimately that I wanted to do the same, whether it was through my position or just personally. Read the rest of the interview here.
Alison B. Pickel, executive vice president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Easton and Phillipsburg initiatives, is spearheading efforts to expand chamber membership into Warren County, N.J. With support from the business-boosting group’s Phillipsburg Area Chamber board, the chamber is offering free (normally $375) membership for one year, and the group will host a networking event Nov. 3. Pickel, 29, who grew up in Phillipsburg and lives in Williams Township with her husband, Matt, is the subject of this week’s Q&A.
Q. How did you wind up working for the chamber?
A. The chamber came to my attention through my aunt, Laura Azzalina, who was involved with the women’s business council. I was networking with some of her contacts, including Anne Baum. (Pickel began as executive assistant; she has since been promoted to her current position.)
Q. Why did you take a position with the chamber?
A. I always knew that I wanted to do something where I was very hands on. My mom, Lynn Harrison, worked for 19 years in the community and she, ironically, was the one planning the [Phillipsburg] Ole Towne Festival, which is an event I now plan. So I grew up in a family that was very engaged in their community, and I knew ultimately that I wanted to do the same, whether it was through my position or just personally.
Read the rest of the interview here.