20 MCC Business Directory and Resource Guide
DREAM TEAM
Lovins , McCracken help keep Chamber on track in its mission to serve business community
BY LILY JONES
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce wouldn ’ t be what it is , according to its leader , without the dedication of two staff members who prefer to remain away from the spotlight .
Patty Lovins and Rachael McCracken possess deep passion for their jobs with the organization , according to Clayton Whitson , the chamber ’ s president and CEO .
Lovins , the chamber ’ s director of membership and events , has worked with the organization for eight years . She provides membership services and plans and runs events – including securing sponsorships and venues .
The job , she said , fits her perfectly because it combines two skills she knows well : event planning and customer service .
“ I enjoy being in the background a lot and making things happen ,” Lovins said . “ This role has made me step forward a lot more than where my comfortability lies . I am happiest when an event is over and I can look back and say , ‘ That went well .’”
Lovins has lived in Madison County since she started in 1980 at Anderson University , where she studied business administration .
“ I am a small-town girl ,” Lovins said . “ I love the feel and the community and the commitment for people to help each other when it is needed .”
McCracken , the chamber ’ s business development manager , has been with the organization for almost four years . Her responsibilities include visiting small and large businesses and speaking to them about the chamber ’ s offerings and other opportunities . She also handles the chamber ’ s social media channels and marketing .
Before moving to Anderson , McCracken owned and operated two licensed child care homes for 17 years in Noblesville . “ It ’ s this weird full circle for me , which I ’ m so grateful for ,” McCracken said . “ At the time , running my businesses , that is all I ever thought about . Now , I get to relax in some ways and help other people be successful .”
McCracken and her family have lived in Madison County for five years .
“ I have been so grateful for the community ,” McCracken said . “ They have embraced us . My chamber family here has been wonderful to work with . I have just felt so loved and so connected with people here . Madison County is a special place .”
According to Whitson , the work of Lovins and McCracken was integral in the chamber ’ s recent recognition as Indiana ’ s Chamber of the Year .
“ It solidified that I am where I am supposed to be ,” Lovins said of the award . “ I am still relevant and can still make a difference and can still help someone .”
Lovins said she and McCracken bring a breadth of experiences to bear that they can tap to offer business owners encouragement when their enterprises are struggling .
“ They are completely selfless in their work ,” Whitson said . “ To be able to work for a nonprofit , you have to believe in the mission , and they wholeheartedly embody the mission of trying to make improvements here in Madison County .”
Lovins and McCracken said their goals for the chamber include growing the organization in a smart and attainable way that proves helpful for the area ’ s business owners .
“ We are just here to support and build up the business community through our event efforts , through our advocacy efforts , talking with our legislators and making sure they understand the needs of our business community and what our people need ,” McCracken explained .
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THEY ARE COMPLETELY SELFLESS IN THEIR WORK . TO BE ABLE TO WORK FOR A NONPROFIT , YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN THE MISSION , AND THEY WHOLEHEARTEDLY EMBODY THE MISSION OF TRYING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS HERE IN MADISON COUNTY .
Clayton Whitson
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