Community Profiles

Community Profiles

Wednesday, 07 March 2007

Michael Rollins , President and CEO Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce

At a time when most people were trying to get out of Austin, Michael Rollins was just arriving. Shortly after the tech bust in 2002 Rollins was hired from Tennessee to help the Austin Chamber of Commerce rebuild its membership and make sure Austin secured itself against any future downturns.

His determination extends to his personal life, driving him to complete 70-mile bike rides from San Marcos and back during the sunny seasons.

• Family: Two adult children
• Education: Originally from Florida, Rollins graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in psychology and one in business management
• Contact information: 322-5615, mrollins@austinchamber.com

Q. How did you get involved in the Austin Chamber of Commerce?

A. I started working in government relations with a chamber when I graduated from college. I’ve managed seven different chambers since 1978. When I came to Austin the chamber just didn’t have any economic strategy, and it was assumed that Austin would just always be a boom town. I was attracted to the challenge of getting the city back on track.

Q. What does a Chamber of Commerce do?

A. One thing we focus on is job creation, and that can come in many ways, but building a good business climate is one way we do it. We try to attract new businesses to the area we serve, particularly primary employers. Those are the businesses who sell their goods outside the community and bring more money in.
Also, in order to bring those primary employers here, we have to make Austin a product they want to buy. This means having good transportation and an educated workforce that is trained in the skills employers need.

Q. How does a Chamber of Commerce help the city?

A. Besides just helping big business, we recognize that of the 27,000 businesses that are in the area, 92 percent of those are small businesses. The Chamber gives a place for them to network and connect as well as offering continued education to help managers and owners improve.
The Chamber is special because it is the only, what I like to call, horizontal organization for businesses. Most organizations a business will join will be because they are in a common industry, but the Chamber unites them all under the common goal of improving the local business climate.
A major thing we do that people don’t realize is fielding all of the calls that come in from people and businesses interested in the city.

Q. What do you see for Austin in the next 10 years?

A. There will be more high-density living downtown, and for the Northwest there will be little pocket communities based around major employers. If transit-oriented developments are successful, such as those that are planned around rail stations, then we can expect more of them.

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Dan Steakley, Chairman Northwest Austin Business Council

In 1969, Dan Steakley was a member of the University of Texas football team for their National Championship win.

Today he still knows the importance of teamwork as the Chair for the Northwest Austin Business Council, preaching networking as though it were a religion.

Still a self-described sports fanatic, Steakley does most of his work in a suit rather than a jersey nowadays, but he’s still got a competitive spirit for Austin’s success.

• Family: Married with two sons and a daughter
• Education: Graduated with a general business degree from the University of Texas
• Contact information: dan@stanberry.com

Q. What is the Northwest Austin Business Council?

A. The business council is a part of the Austin Chamber of Commerce and it’s a great opportunity for those businesses who are hesitant to travel all the way south for meetings but still wanted to be active and supportive in the community. The Council offers volunteer work and activities specific to their area. The Northwest covers the 78613, 78750, 78759, 78727, 78729.

Q. How did you become involved in the chamber?

A. I work with Stanberry Real Estate, and when my friend and chairman Jim Shields called to see if I would be interested in participating in a Northwest Austin business council I said yes and I became part of the founding board members. We’re now about to enter the Northwest Austin Business Council’s third year.

Q. Why is Northwest Austin a good place to do business?

A. People in North Austin love the area. They start their business there because that’s where they are comfortable. They’re able to do business with their friends and community. Also as downtown grows, outside communities benefit, and it grows here too.

Q. Where do you see Northwest Austin’s business climate in the next ten years?

A. There’s going to be a lot of revitalization, areas like the Arboretum are changing and they’re going to be repurposed. Traffic is also going to become critical, whether we have to add a lane to MoPac or build new roads entirely, something is going to have to be done. Rail is only one step. Citizens need to start making a decision about what to do for transportation and how they want to pay for it. Whether it’s gas tax, tolls, property tax or sales tax, there’s no free decision.

Q. What volunteer work does the chamber do for the city?

A. Austin is one of the country’s most educated cities, but that’s still just 44 percent that have degrees. There are many first-generation Americans who don’t consider college because they don’t think they can afford it and they don’t know how to apply. So far we’ve been in touch with families of graduating seniors helping them fill out student loan forms with our FAFSA Saturday events.