Today , BeneChoice is focused on helping business owners provide the right benefits to attract and retain talent and meet their employees ’ needs by creating custom benefits packages . “ We help employers protect their bottom line and help employees protect their paycheck ,” Robinson says . “ We want benefits to truly benefit both sides .”
CHAMBER Cheerleader
While BeneChoice and her 2023 appointment to Governor Kay Ivey ’ s cabinet as Director of the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs keep Robinson busy , she remains committed to the Chamber and had no qualms about putting on the Chairman hat . The active and optimistic member never wastes an opportunity to champion the organization she ’ s long supported and has gained support from . “ The Chamber is the anchor for our regional economy and all things economic development ,” she says . “ The way it supports our business community and forges essential public-private partnerships , which are vital for success .”
Benefit IN THE
PUTTING Benefit
Benefits INDUSTRY
Robinson , a Denver , Colorado native , graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta before joining the Air Force . During her time in ROTC at Georgia Tech , she met her future husband . Her military career took her to Germany , and the couple tied the knot in Denmark before being jointly assigned to Gunter Air Force Base . Stacia later separated from the Air Force with the rank of Captain , while her husband retired and transitioned to civilian life . Together , they decided to make their home in the area .
Robinson then bought a franchise of Business Network International , the world ’ s largest referral network organization , and the work fueled a desire to aid small business . A fellow BNI member piqued her interest in the employee benefits space , and that , coupled with the Chamber roundtable conversations about benefits , motivated her to found BeneChoice in 2000 .
Coming full circle , the program played a part in the formation of BeneChoice . “ Employees and benefits were and still are some of the main topics of discussion in the roundtables ,” Robinson says . “ Second to payroll , benefits are the biggest costs for almost all businesses .” After hearing employers continually voice the same concerns , she decided to be part of the solution .
After her longstanding membership , Robinson understands the Chamber ’ s value inside and out and uses her insight to encourage others to join . “ There is no other way , no better way , to grow and scale and add to your business and to the quality of life here than getting involved in our Chamber ,” she says . She also points to an example from her own Chamber experience . “ I got to know Margaret Carpenter [ who started Jubilee City Fest ] through the Chamber , and she mentored me ,” she says . “ She always said , ‘ Get known in something other than your business . It is the way to get visibility and credibility so you can have profitability .’ Chamber membership is the way to do that .”
Robinson ’ s own visibility , credibility and her consistent availability moved her up the Chamber ’ s leadership ranks . When she was first appointed to the board , she became the first Black female to serve . She then chaired the board ’ s marketing committee . She ’ s lent her time and talents to multiple other Chamber endeavors through the years , blazing a trail that led her to hold the Chairman ’ s gavel , where she makes another meaningful mark : She ’ s the first Black female with the title .
“ Stacia is a champion for business and community , and that is really the very core of our Chamber ,” said Anna Buckalew , Chamber President and CEO . “ The Montgomery Regional Chamber brings leadership around the table to seize opportunities , deal with obstacles , and build partnerships to fuel economic growth and a better quality of life and place . I can ’ t think of a stronger leader in each of those regards than Stacia Robinson ,” said Buckalew .