Mullen aims to retire, but volunteer work still on tap
Ray Mullen, GLMV Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, has decided to retire in late November.
"The most rewarding part of my job has been to meet with our members individually," said Mullen, 68. "Our local businesses provide the investment, employment and community support that make our communities vibrant and stable. It's been a pleasure to get to know many of these business leaders on a personal level."
Mullen was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and then moved a number of times over the years. Once he moved to Mundelein in 1983, he remained.
Mullen worked for MarquipWardUnited, an international manufacturer of machinery for the corrugated box and paper industries, and is the former owner of Debbie's Floral in Mundelein.
In 2013, he started as executive director at the chamber and focused on helping business owners make connections and learn about services to fuel that success.
"My experience as a local business owner has made it very clear to me that the success of any local business helps raise the tide for all other local businesses," said Mullen.
He believes all businesses need a plan and a mentor.
"Always take some time every week to work on the business. Focus on being in business, not being self employed," he said.
He is most proud of the amount of professional development that was added to the chamber services under his tenure.
"We have offered 15 or more seminars every year to the membership, utilizing the business leadership experience and expertise of our chamber members on topics ranging from digital marketing to strategic planning. Members have learned new ideas and best practices from each other."
As for retirement, Mullen doesn't have firm plans. He'll enjoy life with his wife, Jennifer and their six children. They are now grandparents to 11. He wants to remain active with the Mundelein Vernon Hills Rotary Club. He also will continue to mentor at the Mundelein High Business Incubator program and help at the Trike Project, which provides mobility and therapy for children with special needs.
"Ray has been a steadying force within the chamber for 3 1/2 years and his smile, camaraderie and ever-present 'How ya doin'?' greeting will be sorely missed," said Marty Rafter, board chairman of the chamber and Realtor with Baird & Warner in Lake County, when he announced Mullen's retirement.
<h3 class="briefHead">FastTracks</h3>
Barbara C. Higgens of Palatine plans to leave Rolling Meadows-based Plumbing Manufacturers International as its CEO and executive director. After 18 years at the helm, she said she will stay until late 2017 and help search for her replacement. That search team will start in October.
Jed Hoyer, general manager of the Chicago Cubs, talked about how the Cubs transformed and how those strategies can be adapted to business during the Assurance University Symposium recently in Rosemont. He was joined by Oliver Pursche, CEO of Bruderman Brothers LLC and Bruderman Asset Management, who also spoke at this one-day conference for CEOs and other top executives.
David Gross will join the Illinois Health Hospital Association in Naperville as senior vice president of government relations on Oct. 3. Gross will lead the group's advocacy agenda at the local, state, and federal levels on issues affecting hospitals and health systems, including sustainable health care funding, access to care, and health care delivery redesign and transformation.
Shelly Scinto joined the municipal finance group at the law firm, Ice Miller LLP, which has offices in Lisle.
Dr. Michele Carney, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, joined Downers Grove-based DuPage Medical Group.
Jenna Sawicki, interim executive director of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, is now the full executive director. Local business leaders were already familiar with her, since she was previously the marketing and development coordinator for the organization. She replaced Lynne Schwartz.
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