Leading the Region

As president and CEO of the West Chester • Liberty Chamber Alliance for more than 16 years, Joe Hinson has helped grow the organization into the region’s fourth largest chamber (of 25). Now, it represents the interests of more than 700 member businesses from Northern Kentucky to Dayton.

Recognized as a Chamber of Character by the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, the chamber’s mission is “to be a regional community leader promoting business innovation and growth, advocating free enterprise, addressing issues of regional and community significance and leading our members to a higher quality of life,” says Hinson.

Today, Hinson says the organization is “an active, dynamic and progressive business and community leadership organization that connects people and possibilities” in West Chester and Liberty and on the I-75 growth corridor.

Hinson started with the West Chester • Liberty Chamber Alliance in August 1998, just nine months after Union Centre Boulevard opened, and says he believes his work experience with large and small businesses, as well as his prior non-profit volunteer experience, made him a viable candidate for the position. With his leadership, Hinson has helped the organization create an influential group that acts as an advocate in local and state government issues, promotes business through education and helps attract and retain companies to our region.

But for Hinson, his greatest joy in working is being a part of a great team. “It’s an honor and privilege to work side-by-side with virtually the same core group of professionals for my 16 years at the Chamber,” says Hinson. “As our Chamber members do attest, our staff makes a difference.”

For its members, the chamber presents more than 70 membership programs annually with five signature events to connect its members: Annual Celebration and Awards Gala, Regional Business Expo, The Everest Award, Chamber Golf Classic and Women of Excellence. Regular monthly meetings include membership luncheons, Business Before and After Hours, Women For Women, Sixty- Second Connect and NEXT YP (Young Professionals).

The chamber also sponsors a program called Leadership 21, which Hinson calls an all-inclusive, non-partisan, multi-racial and multi-cultural leadership development program which educates business owners and managers, government and school leaders and citizen volunteers on various aspects of the region. “The program is designed to open and maintain a constructive dialogue among all parties concerned with making West Chester and Liberty Townships, and our region, better places to live and work,” he says of the program, which has graduated more than 300 members to date.

“Because we are well-connected, we work behind the scenes to educate the business community with real-time information that can positively affect business decisions,” he says. “We are a resource to connect businesses to each other, leading to short and long-term success.”