Blog | South Shore Chamber, Rockland MA - South Shore Chamber of Commerce

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Jim Dunphy, South Shore Bank

5/19/2020

Jim Dunphy, South Shore Bank

Jim Dunphy, President of South Shore Bank spoke to members about the changing landscape of banking during the pandemic. One of the biggest changes he saw was acceleration and increase of loans processed digitally.

South Shore Bank processed 98% of their loans digitally and processed they equivalent of 2 years’ worth of loans in just 35 days!

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Marylou Sandry of Marylou's Coffee

5/14/2020

Photo of Marylou Sandry, Marylou's Coffee

Mary Lou Sandry spoke to our members this morning about her rise to fame in the coffee businesses. Starting a new adventure on her 40th birthday, Mary Lou left her stable job as an executive assistant to purchase her first store front in Hanover, MA. Now, years later, she has built her company to over 40 stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She shared many serendipitous stories and charmed her audience with her humility, grit and sense of humor.

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Chris Oddleifson of Rockland Trust Bank

5/12/2020

Photo of Chris Oddleifson, Rockland Trust Bank

Chris Oddleifson spoke to our members this morning about the effects of Covid 19 in today’s banking world. He commented that of his customers, he is seeing a bit of a “tale of 2 cities.” His Real Estate and Trade clients seem to be weathering the storm well, but his restaurant, hospitality and hotel clients are struggling. Rockland Trust had a huge surge of loan requests in the first wave of PPE and exhausted their pool quickly. However, when the second round of funding came through, they were able to support the community at large in a greater way. Mixed in with banking discussions was some wonderful historic stories of the Oddleifson name, his family’s role in US history and genealogical ties with fellow Chamber member, Win Sargent.

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Deirdre Savage, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

5/7/2020

Deirdre Savage, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, spoke to members about the changing landscape of the health care industry. One of the striking changes they are seeing during the pandemic is the explosion of telehealth services (virtual medical visits). Deirdre said that prior to the pandemic providers were having an average of 200 telehealth visits a day. Today, this telehealth number is averaging 40,000 visits a day! While health care providers have shifted out of necessity, this new delivery of healthcare is proving to have many benefits in convenience, less idle time for travel and waiting room and less exposure to other sick patients. It is also worth noting that of the 40,000 visits a day, nearly half are visits for mental health. Yet another benefit as the telehealth lifts barriers for people to seek help.

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Ken Quigley, Curry College

5/5/2020

Ken Quigley, Curry College

Ken Quigley, President of Curry College, spoke to members today about the changing landscape of higher education during the Covid 19 pandemic. Curry College was one of the early institutions to close and send their students to the safety of their homes. He said it is a bit different on campus these days. In a normal spring season the campus would be bustling with over 3,000 students, prospective students, parents and faculty. But today, just a hand full of essential grounds crew and staff are on campus. While it’s quiet, he and his staff are diligently planning for possible return scenarios and contingency plans that may follow. Curry College has weathered other storms before and Ken is optimistic that Curry will be back soon doing what it does best…educating future business leaders, nurses, accountants, criminal justice and other professionals.

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Carol Bulman

4/30/2020

Photo of Carol Bulman, President and CEO of Jack Conway and Company

Carol Bulman, President and CEO of Jack Conway Realtor, spoke with members this morning about the current status of the real estate market on the South Shore. Carol was cautiously optimistic and said it’s not a typical booming spring season, but things are still moving…just a little slower than normal. She and her team have adjusted nicely to the new format of “open showings” and have navigated a lot of her industry’s supply chain slowdowns and changes. She spoke to the commercial real estate market and felt there is more buyer/renter hesitation while we are all trying to figure out what workplaces of the future may look like.

View the full session below.

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Rich Beal

4/28/2020

Rich Beal, AW Perry

Our guest Rich Beal, President of A.W. Perry, discussed the changing landscape of Boston’s commercial real estate and development on the South Shore. While he remains optimistic, he commented that future development is contingent on getting adequate infrastructure in place on the South Shore, like water and waste water. He stressed that only through a cooperative regional approach will this be successful.

View the full session below.

40 with Forman: A Conversation with William Parent, Envision Bank

4/23/2020

William Parent, Envision Bank

Members of our chamber had the opportunity to meet and welcome Envision Bank’s new CEO, Bill Parent, in a virtual meeting. Bill, formerly of Blue Hills Bank, became Envision Bank’s new CEO just a couple weeks ago on April 1, 2020. He spoke to the Chamber about what it was like to start his new role at Envision Bank in the middle of the initially pandemic shut-down and the SBA loan processing.

He closed with how he’s no stranger to the South Shore and he knows its relationships that matters and not transactions. He was very appreciative of the warm welcome given to him by the Chamber and its members.

40 with Forman: A Conversation with Renee McInnes, NVNA and Hospice

4/21/2020

Renee McInnes, NVNA and Hospice

CEO, Renee McInnes of NVNA and Hospice spoke with members about navigating these uncertain times. Many of the topics discussed related to the current challenges of the health care industry and possible paths toward recovery. When asked “How has this crisis changed you as a Business leader and professional”. Renee replied it is very important for leaders to be transparent. Transparent to your employees, clients, patients and stakeholders. Do your best to share the best and most update facts. Listen to your staff, patients, clients and customers as to what they really need, and not what you think they need. She also shared that she has had success hosting town hall forums with her employees which provided great insight on what are the concerns, fears and questions from her staff.

"Do your best to share the best and most update facts. Listen to your staff, patients, clients and customers as to what they really need, and not what you think they need. "

40 with Forman: A conversation with Paul Sullivan, Sullivan Tire

4/16/2020

Paul Sullivan, Sullivan Tire

Have a listen to local CEO, Paul Sullivan of Sullivan Tire talk with members about leadership in these new times. Along with some great baseball stories shared by Paul were some great words of advice.

When asked, “What’s something we can do to help our business get through recovery successfully?”, Paul replied “Put technology away. Go out and meet with your customers and clients face to face. Talk with them about their concerns and be a good listener.” Paul closed the meeting with an inspiring quote from one of his favorite poets, Maya Angelou.

Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space. Invite one to stay.
-- Maya Angelou

Stay tuned for more sessions with the Chamber and region's key leadership.