MONROE - Change can be difficult, but for Melissa Even, the newly-hired Monroe Chamber of Commerce executive director, it can also be an opportunity for growth.
That's an idea she intends to embrace as she transitions to her new job and carry with her into her tenure.
"I can't have all the answers right away, and I know I don't have all the answers right away," Even said. "I don't pretend to know. It's just one day at a time and the little pieces that are connecting are starting to form."
A goal she intends to meet will be constantly changing, in fact. Even said as she encounters different situations, she wants to test the idea of something new.
"I'm all about tweaking," Even said. "This, 'I don't know, we've always done it this way' - for me, that's an opportunity to make things better."
An Iowa native, Even moved to Monroe 23 years ago with her 1-year-old daughter and decided to stay. She raised two children in the Monroe school district - a son and daughter who are University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates and now young professionals.
Even considers herself "blessed" to have served a variety of jobs. Initially in Monroe, she began working for Monroe Furniture Center in sales, moving on later to finance and insurance work with Ruda Chevrolet Toyota.
Eventually, Even went to TDS, first as a customer service employee, then moving on to technical support and repair before becoming involved with specific customer-related issues. For the last year, Even worked for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Program as a career specialist.
Cara Carper, who served as director since 2015, left the Chamber to become executive director of the Green County Development Corporation in June. Even said she recognized an opportunity and seized it.
"I had heard Cara was moving to Green County Economic Development and as soon as I saw the posting, I couldn't wait to get my application in," Even said.
Carper and Even have met to discuss the everyday operations of the chamber, and Even said the offered help has been greatly appreciated.
"She did a good job setting up her departure," Even said. "I look forward to working with her on that professional level. I'm sure our organizations are going to meld very well."
Even officially began July 24. So far, her job has included meeting various people and catching up on basics. She said the majority of her past week was spent preparing both the weekly and monthly newsletters. The transition has also included learning new software. Even pointed out that the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Board has been supportive during her first days on the job, helping her learn the new technology.
On Wednesday, sitting in her new office amidst semi-empty shelves with congratulatory flowers decorating a table, Even shared information about the annual Monroe Chamber Golf Outing to be held Aug. 30, which is "a great opportunity for new and old members to see what we're all about and maybe learn something new," Even said. Whether those interested in attending are expert golfers or not, she added, the event should be fun.
For now, Even said, she plans to focus on the "big picture" of attracting members rather than zoning in on any particular plan or project.
"I think I can be the face of the Chamber of Commerce," Even said. "We need those identifiable markers and I think that's something I can help out with."
That's an idea she intends to embrace as she transitions to her new job and carry with her into her tenure.
"I can't have all the answers right away, and I know I don't have all the answers right away," Even said. "I don't pretend to know. It's just one day at a time and the little pieces that are connecting are starting to form."
A goal she intends to meet will be constantly changing, in fact. Even said as she encounters different situations, she wants to test the idea of something new.
"I'm all about tweaking," Even said. "This, 'I don't know, we've always done it this way' - for me, that's an opportunity to make things better."
An Iowa native, Even moved to Monroe 23 years ago with her 1-year-old daughter and decided to stay. She raised two children in the Monroe school district - a son and daughter who are University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates and now young professionals.
Even considers herself "blessed" to have served a variety of jobs. Initially in Monroe, she began working for Monroe Furniture Center in sales, moving on later to finance and insurance work with Ruda Chevrolet Toyota.
Eventually, Even went to TDS, first as a customer service employee, then moving on to technical support and repair before becoming involved with specific customer-related issues. For the last year, Even worked for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Program as a career specialist.
Cara Carper, who served as director since 2015, left the Chamber to become executive director of the Green County Development Corporation in June. Even said she recognized an opportunity and seized it.
"I had heard Cara was moving to Green County Economic Development and as soon as I saw the posting, I couldn't wait to get my application in," Even said.
Carper and Even have met to discuss the everyday operations of the chamber, and Even said the offered help has been greatly appreciated.
"She did a good job setting up her departure," Even said. "I look forward to working with her on that professional level. I'm sure our organizations are going to meld very well."
Even officially began July 24. So far, her job has included meeting various people and catching up on basics. She said the majority of her past week was spent preparing both the weekly and monthly newsletters. The transition has also included learning new software. Even pointed out that the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Board has been supportive during her first days on the job, helping her learn the new technology.
On Wednesday, sitting in her new office amidst semi-empty shelves with congratulatory flowers decorating a table, Even shared information about the annual Monroe Chamber Golf Outing to be held Aug. 30, which is "a great opportunity for new and old members to see what we're all about and maybe learn something new," Even said. Whether those interested in attending are expert golfers or not, she added, the event should be fun.
For now, Even said, she plans to focus on the "big picture" of attracting members rather than zoning in on any particular plan or project.
"I think I can be the face of the Chamber of Commerce," Even said. "We need those identifiable markers and I think that's something I can help out with."