2020 Business Person of the Year - Diane McClure
The “Business Person of the Year” is someone who is recognized as having set a standard of accomplishment in both business and the community. Nominations are from the Chamber’s business members who have made a significant impact on the role of business in the community. The nominee must be a member of the Chamber for at least 18 months. They must be an active member who is always willing to go above and beyond, and be a leader that motivates others. They must have a level of community participation by contributing resources in the form of time, talent or money to our community via projects, clubs, churches, and not-for-profits.
Each year the Chamber Board of Directors receives a number of nominees for this honor – the selection process included several outstanding candidates and the number of nominees is a testament to the Chamber membership’s commitment to our community.
This year’s honoree is a very active Chamber member, a wife, a mother, a business partner, an Angel Mom, a passionate mentor, full of energy and digitally charged. She is a familiar face at Chamber breakfast, active in the Webster business community and many Chamber members have worked with her to help brand and grow your business.
She is well known for her upbeat attitude and professionalism!
Diane is a founding partner in the Edge Advertising Group. She has a master’s degree from Penn State and her knowledge of the Rochester media market is spot-on. Diane is one of the first people to volunteer to help and she is notorious for doing what she said she would do! She is a professional in every sense and takes a realistic approach to business problem solving.
Barry Howard, President/CEO of the Webster Chamber says: “I think Diane works 24 hours a day. It’s not unusual to get an email from her at one in the morning.”
Diane has been an active member of the Chamber since she joined. She is on the Chamber Board of Directors, currently serving as Chair-elect. She serves on the Personnel Committee and is chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee. She believes these should be active and participating roles in the Chamber.
She is never afraid to share an idea and that has resulted in the Chamber’s sponsoring of the recent Job Fair and partnership with the Webster Central School District on a future “signing ceremony” for high school students directly pursuing training, certifications, apprenticeships and careers in the business world immediately after their graduation.
Diane is an educator in disguise working with interns in her business, being a presenter at the Chamber’s Power Hours multiple times, and supporting Dollars for Scholars for more than 12 years. Maybe there is a connection; one of Diane’s relatives started his career as a teacher – President John Adams, the 2nd president of the United States. By lineage, it also makes her related to John Quincy Adams, the 6th president of the United States.
Diane’s involvement in the Webster Chamber is just part of her community involvement. She also supports the Red Cross Fairport Angel Blood Drive, the city Schools Book Drive, the Toy Drive, The United Day of Caring, Project Urge, Christopher’s Challenge, the Special Olympics, and she has been on her neighborhood Social Committee for over 30 years!
She is a financial supporter of her faith communities including Browncroft Community Church, Faith Lutheran and the First Baptist Church in DuBois Pennsylvania; the ALS foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, Bethany House, the Boy Scouts and the Golisano’s Children’s Hospital.
Diane’s passion and belief in the value of Chamber membership is often expressed to her clients and business collegues.
The Chamber presented her with a plaque that is inscribed with these words: “Business Person of the Year presented by the Webster Chamber of Commerce to Diane McClure in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the Webster Chamber of Commerce and your commitment to the community – 2020”.
In addition to the plaque, the Webster Chamber makes a contribution in her honor to one of her favorite charitable organizations.