Community Leader Spotlight
Featuring Mark McGill, Director of Member Relations, South Bend Regional Chamber
Mark, tell us about your journey to the South Bend Regional Chamber and how you landed there.
Most people know me for my radio career. I met Jeff Rea (SBRC President) about 25 years ago, and got to know him better during my career, as he was Mayor of Mishawaka and then Chamber president. When the previous member relations director retired, Jeff called me and said he had a job that was perfect for me. We met two days later, followed shortly by an offer. And Jeff was right—the job is just perfect for me, and I work with a great group of people. So, it was kind of the right place, right time, and knowing the right people.
What’s your Chamber role like?
So, I’m the director of member relations, and it’s all encompassing. I make sure that all of our members are taken care of. If they have a need or a problem to solve, they can call me and I will take care of it. It’s truly member relations, and it’s different every day. If needed, we can even call the City, County or State contacts to send members in the right direction. I’m so impressed by our members, many of whom gave up regular paychecks to put their name on the door and hang out their own shingles. We just want to be a small part of their journey and help them succeed.
So, during your Chamber work, do you run into people who recognize your voice and know you as “the radio guy” or “the South Bend Cubs guy”?
Every single day! Especially since I’m still on the radio. How many people wouldn’t want to be the on-field emcee for the South Bend Cubs, and the PA announcer for the Chicago Cubs, Notre Dame men’s basketball, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s lacrosse? I’m a very blessed man.
What key attributes have led to your success?
I’m so blessed to have had such an incredible career. We’ve lived here for 26 years, and we’re here on purpose and raised our family here. I’ve just been really lucky to have met some incredible people and form terrific relationships. And it really is all about those relationships. I work hard, try to be a good guy and live life to the fullest every day. It’s caring about people and about the community. Again, it’s the people, and those who like and trust you. Knowing them has helped me along the way.
I love this area! And I love giving back because I’ve been so blessed. I host 20-30 charity events every year, and people ask, “How much do you get paid for that?” I don’t get paid for those—I just want to give back any way I can. Plus, my wife and I get to play dress-up, have a really good meal and a nice date night out!
How has marketing played a role in your success?
I think marketing is everything, and it starts with marketing yourself. That’s what has helped me, along with the people I have in my corner and can call on. I can’t tell you the last time I actually “interviewed” for a job, which I think is terrific and a sign that I’ve marketed myself well. No matter your career path, you have to market yourself first and that will lead you to success.
How would you describe the Mark McGill “brand”?
I go back to “good guy.” I think the Mark McGill brand is hardworking, loyal and dedicated; that the guy behind the brand can get things done and is reliable and positive. More than anything, I want the Mark McGill brand to be positive. I want people to say, “Man, he’s a pretty good dude who does a lot!”
What’s new and on the horizon at the Chamber?
Life is really good at the Chamber! I’ve been here three years now, and I can tell you we’re getting more companies and businesses looking at South Bend and St. Jospeh County than ever before. We’re talking thousands of businesses with potentially billions of dollars. South Bend is really on the map now for site selectors, particularly for things like weather, water, power and other factors. There isn’t a week that goes by when a major company doesn’t contact our office and wants to know more about what sites we have for them.
It’s a good time to be in St. Joseph County and I think the future is bright. When you have companies like General Motors, Amazon and Microsoft looking here, other companies pay attention. And these new companies coming in make everything better for schools, restaurants, hotels, car dealers and stores, with more people to support them. Jeff Rea has been with the Chamber for 14 years, and he will tell you there’s never been the excitement and interest in the area that there is right now.
So, is it true—do you really love baseball?
I love baseball. I understand baseball and it’s just fun. My dad loved baseball and was a Chicago Cubs fan. Baseball was my sport and I played it through high school. But I always say I got into radio because I wanted to be either Lou Brock or Harry Carey, but I couldn’t hit a curve ball and I still can’t! So, I went for Harry Carey the broadcaster, instead.
How do you fit all of this in? Are you ever home for dinner?
I’ve been lucky that I don’t think I’ve worked a day in my life. I had nine W-2s last year, and none of those feel like “jobs”! But it’s not like I’m doing nine things all at the same time—they’re mostly seasonal, and I don’t travel with sports teams. So, I am home for dinner. I’m also lucky that my wife Julie is my biggest fan and supporter. And she’s my volleyball spotter, so she gets to sit at the scores table with me, and she’s up in the press box with me for football games. My family is the most important thing to me, and I include them in everything. We get to do some pretty cool things together. Again, I’ll go back to being blessed…
What was your first job?
I was a stock boy at Jewel Osco in Dolton, Illinois, wearing the powder blue apron and loving every minute of it. I thought, “This is my job!” I loved facing shelves and building endcaps. And every chance I had, I would jump on the intercom—I was the king of price checks! So that was my first time as a “broadcaster” and the rest is history! I still don’t take that experience for granted. I know what we have and I work hard. I love working hard and I think it also proves that good things come to those who work hard, are honest, loyal and dedicated, and really appreciate life and live every day to the fullest.