The Orion Area Chamber of Commerce has a new direction, a new format and now, a new managing director.
Donna Heyniger was named the chamber’s new permanent managing director in December, after a three-month stint as interim director after the departure of former director Crystal English. English left in the fall to accept a position with Century 21 Executives.
“After Crystal left, The Back Office (Heyniger’s business) offered to be interim support for the chamber,” said Heyniger. “It was decided that after three months, (the chamber) would name a new director.
“Then it was found out that I had worked for the Clarkston Chamber for a few years,” she explained. “I just fit.”
Heyniger, who recently relocated her business from an office on Brown Road to one on Lapeer Road in the Lake Orion Office Center, served as director for the Clarkston Chamber of Commerce for five years. After that, she went into business for herself with The Back Office.
“We provide full-service administrative support for small businesses…We can act as their total administrative staff, or we can do bits and pieces, like mailings and answering the phone,” said Heyniger. “We also do resumes and transcribing.
“Now, we are also serving as the chamber’s office, and doing their administrative stuff.”
Heyniger calls herself an “army brat,” but said her family’s hometown has always been Clarkston.
“We lived there until we moved to Lake Angelus,” said Heyniger. “But I like Lake Orion…I love the family atmosphere. It’s very comfortable here.”
After moving to Lake Angelus with husband Wayne, a Chrysler employee; and sons Robert, 27, and Richard, 24 (Heyniger also has a step-son, Rob, 26, living in Lincoln Park); Heyniger started The Back Office and knew immediately that she wanted to join the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce.
“I joined about 18 months ago,” she said. “Every business needs to be part of the chamber…you branch out from there and get involved with the community. It’s a great way to build your business.”
Heyniger said she is excited about the prospect of directing the chamber and meeting more new people.
“I thought ‘This will be fun,'” she said. “Crystal left with a lot of forward vision, a lot of nice programs were in place. I’m looking forward to making it more fun.”
Heyniger said the chamber plans to do a spot on Orion Neighborhood Television (ONTV), and hold some evening mixers.
“We’ve changed the luncheon format to a one-hour program…We’re looking to grow the membership and just really have a lot of fun,” she said.
The membership luncheons will now have a featured speaker, who will speak on the topic of the month; then two or three “spotlighted” businesses will have time to share what they do, for a nominal fee. The meeting will round out with a “community update,” to keep members up to date with what’s happening in the community.
“I think this chamber needs to focus on small businesses,” said Heyniger. “It’s going to be more business-oriented.”
Heyniger said she is impressed with the dedication of the people on the chamber’s various committees.
“The commitment of the committees and focus groups is amazing,” she said. “This place is run by the committees. I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Heyniger is assisted at The Back Office by Jonnie Katchka, and said she was “groomed” for her position as chamber director by former Clarkston Chamber President Mark Cooper.
“Because the economy is so hard right now, I think the best thing we can do for our members is promotion,” she said. “The more we can get their names out there, the more we can support community activities as a group.
“Support the businesses that support your community,” she said.
In her admittedly limited free time, Heyniger likes to sew, crochet and read. She also has a love for computers.
“I turned on a computer about 15 years ago, and I’ve had a mad, passionate love affair with the computer since,” she said. “They say ‘Turn your hobby into your work,’ and that’s what I did.”