In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!
Today’s book suggestion comes from Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Keith Morgan. Before taking over the reigns of the chamber, Morgan owned and operated a service-based business serving West Michigan for 10 years before it was sold.
Book: The Alchemist Author: Paulo Coelho Genre: Quest, adventure, fantasy
“The Alchemist follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids of Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding a treasure there. Morgan said he recommend this book, because it is entertaining, appropriate, and inspiring for all walks of life. It provides an easy way to look at practical life lessons, while focusing on pursuit of our dreams.
With more than 4,000 business calling Wyoming and Kentwood home, the Chamber is proud that it has been able to play key role, along with responsive city governments, to build a better community — a better place to live, to work, to raise a family… and a better place to do business. To learn more about the chamber, visit www.southkent.org.
Keith Morgan was recently named the new CEO and president of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Comerce. (Photo by Indie City Photography)
The next leader of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce is a businessman whose experience ranges from corporate management to starting a small business from scratch.
Keith Morgan, 46, will replace outgoing president and CEO Bob O’Callaghan, who is retiring effective Feb. 1.
“Our CEO Search Committee looked at over 80 applicants and Keith was the unanimous choice,” O’Callaghan said. “His knowledge of our Chamber and many years of business experience make him a natural. I am proud to turn the reins over to Keith.”
Stepping into the role in the midst of a pandemic, when the definition of “normal” is ever-shifting, Morgan said his goal for the chamber is to get back to basics.
“When I say back to basics, I’m talking about building a better tomorrow. There are going to be some changes we’re going to live with for a while. But business and commerce are always going to be with us,” he said.
“As we move forward, how do we get back to the basics so we can begin to continue to create change on our own terms? The terms we’ve been given have been dealt to us at this point. Now, how do we begin to take the reins back and effect change?”
Morgan, an Indianapolis native, started volunteering for the Chamber about 10 years ago.
He originally came to West Michigan for a management position with AT&T. He got excellent training and experience running a sales division for AT&T, he said, but he got transferred around a lot, from Kentwood to Lansing to Wyoming. When AT&T wanted to transfer him yet again, he took the plunge and started his own janitorial business, All Clean Again.
“I always had ambitions to start a business and actually build something,” Morgan said.
Over several years, he grew the business from “cleaning the toilets myself” to employing a staff of about 20.
He had already started toying with the idea of selling his business when, as chair of the chamber board, he learned of O’Callaghan’s retirement plans. While actively involved in the search for a new president and CEO, the idea kept popping into his head that maybe he could take on the leadership role himself.
After talking with the chamber’s executive board members and local business leaders, and getting confirmation that they thought it would be a good idea, he made the difficult decision to sell his successful business and go in a new direction.
Keith Morgan officially takes the helm of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 1. He will be overseeing the annual meeting on Jan. 28 where former Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callghan will be honored. (Photo by Indie City Photography)
“I came up with this philosophy a few years ago: I’m not going to continue to let life happen to me, I’m going to make life happen,” he said. “Being an entrepreneur, I got comfortable with risk. I was able to have enough success off the risks I had taken that I was a lot more comfortable with making that decision.”
With his corporate background, a master’s degree in business, and his experience being a small business owner, he thinks he can help chamber members with practical advice to help them be successful.
He also made a lot of connections in the area while owning his business, something crucial to his role at the Chamber of connecting businesses to other businesses.
Morgan will lead the Chamber’s annual meeting and awards dinner on Jan. 28, when O’Callaghan will be honored for his years of service.
“One of the things I am thankful for is that the current CEO and president has navigated the organization to where we are today. We have a good solid foundation,” Morgan said.
