No one individual is a more zealous community cheerleader than Jay Schlum.

The former two-term mayor attends as many town events as possible, posting Facebook photos and positive comments for all to read.

Beginning July 1, Schlum accepts a new challenge: chair of the Chamber of Commerce in hopes of retooling the organization into one that business owners want to join and support.

Schlum moves into the leadership position backed by a board, most of whom are elected Chamber directors for the first time.

“As chairman, we have a tremendous board and I know we’re all passionate about delivering needed services that will bring value to the members…business owners,” Schlum said.

By the end of the year, a new chief executive officer/president is expected to be on the job, initiating a fresh start for the 40-year-old business organization.

Schlum said his priority as chair will be serving members.

Schlum has been a Chamber member since 1988, except for a five-year gap when he lived in Minnesota.

Right out of Northern Arizona University, he operated Fountain Bowl, a 24-lane bowling alley. He hired employees and supervised the business for one and a half years while his wife, Denise, managed the snack bar and nursery.

He now sells real estate with Sonoran Lifestyle Real Estate owner Dori Wittrig.

“As I look at it, how I served as mayor and how I serve my clients here in real estate, it’s about taking incredibly good care of them,” he said.

Schlum has listened to complaints during the last year about the Chamber’s performance.

“You hear the negatives from the public. You read them in the paper and editorials on occasion….so there is a perception out there about the Chamber. Clearly there is room for improvement,” he said.

“I have heard a great number of people saying that ‘the Chamber doesn’t do anything for me.’ Is that true? Of course not; the Chamber does a lot of things for its members. Sometimes members don’t take advantage of them. But, there are some things that the Chamber could do better.”

Schlum argues that the Chamber “historically has and continues to do some amazing things” by sponsoring special events, such as the two annual arts festivals, business grand openings and an email communication service for members.

Schlum primarily blames the economy for the Chamber membership decline.

“Everybody was getting hurt. Everybody was cutting back on everything and anything that they didn’t feel they absolutely needed,” he said.

Early training

When Jay was 12 years old, his parents, John and Dawn Schlum, moved the family in 1977 from Michigan to Fountain Hills. His father sold real estate, two doors down from the current location of Jay’s office.

His first exposure to local real estate occurred when he and his father wrote a condominium development proposal for British Columbia investors. The 88-unit Little Fountains was built on Saguaro Boulevard.

He learned about community service commitment through his dad’s actions. His entry into politics came in 1999 on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He served one term as a council representative from 2004 to 2008; two years as mayor followed from 2008-10 and 2010-12.

Future initiatives

The Chamber changed from monthly breakfast or dinner meetings last year to quarterly sessions because of poor attendance. Social mixers hosted by area businesses fill in the weeks between the meetings.

“Until we can do something that is going to deliver value, we want to make it a quarterly event,” Schlum said.

“Once we can put these programs together that will deliver value, and it will be worth our members to come to, then we’ll probably pick them up a little more.”

Attendance also has declined at business ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Schlum believes Chamber members should “value new businesses with a real welcome.”

He thinks some residents may be reluctant to attend without a personal invitation.

“A lot of people have to be invited to get engaged,” said Schlum. He and the Chamber intend to reach out to those individuals by phone, emails or in person.

He sees future benefits from the Chamber initiative in creating the Young Professionals Network (YPN). Many young professionals are employees of the larger businesses, not owners.

“That’s equally important for us to get engaged with the employees….to make sure that as their companies are a member, they’re a member of the Chamber too,” he added.

He would like the Chamber to expand the holiday “Stroll in the Glow” by “taking some of the energy shown at the Halloween in the Hills and put that into it.”

Likewise, he believes the Chamber could bolster the annual Business Expo, “ramp up technology” and create partnerships with nearby communities.

“We need to foster the good things going on in the community: the two tremendously successful arts festivals and the Thanksgiving Day parade that brings out families and truly is an Americana event on a day to be thankful,” he concluded.