Executive director celebrates 10 years with the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce
Compiled By Nicole Davis
Christian Maslowski was so focused on work, he barely noticed that his 10th anniversary serving as executive director of the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce came and went on Aug. 20.
“The longer I am here, the more conscientious and sensitive I am to making sure I continue to drive, push, innovate and serve the community to the best of my ability,” Maslowski said. “I don’t want to settle in and become complacent. It feels amazing because it’s been 10 years. I feel like I have a lot of experience. But it also makes me think, am I still as driven and eager as I was 10 years ago? I think the answer is yes.”
A decade has flown by, he said, but his focus is the same as it’s always been: to be a better convener of community leaders, to drive future-forward development and business-friendly policy, to support small business startup and find better ways to help existing business owners run their business.
“We are intentionally doing more to help the small business owner than ever before,” Maslowski said. “We are tailoring programs, we are emphasizing workshops, we are offering more training. We partnered a year ago with the Business Ownership Initiative to bring micro lending closer to home for small business owners. We’re engaging more in community and economic development. We’re engaging more in public policy debate and advocacy. What I love about what we’re doing now in 2017 vs. 2007 is we are more regionally focused. We’re diving into public policy issues that may be more regional, that have an indirect impact on us here in Greenwood but still have an impact.”
Aside from his work on the chamber, Maslowski also serves as the Greenwood mayor’s appointee on the Johnson County Tourism Commission, board chair for the Sertoma Club of Greenwood and marketing chair for Sertoma’s WAMMfest. In July, he was named board chair for the Indiana Chamber Executives Association.
“I now have an opportunity to give back and help others in my position across the state. Just like we here at the Greater Greenwood Chamber support our members, the professional business association is trying to support other chambers. It’s rewarding to know my experience and network across the state is allowing me to help other chambers.”
Maslowski resides in Greenwood with his wife, Michelle, five-year-old daughter, Gabriella, and another daughter due in December.
Here, learn more about our October ICON of the Month, Christian Maslowski.
What do you consider your greatest virtue?
I am far from perfect. Which is why I would probably say tolerance. Some say I am tolerant to a fault.
What do you most deplore in others?
I can respect different viewpoints, life choices, business choices, and behaviors. But a lack of basic personal responsibility saddens me.
What do you like most about living in Greenwood?
This is such a friendly, authentic community. Everyone is honest and real. We have almost every amenity we could need right here and what we might want could be found within a 20-30 minute drive. It’s safe, affordable, growing, and improving.
If you had to live anywhere else in the Metro Indianapolis area, where would it be?
Anywhere in the metro would technically include a different neighborhood than where I currently live, right? I love the vision for the downtown Greenwood redevelopment plan and am trying to convince my wife we should buy a condo envisioned for old middle school site.
If you could begin life over, what would you change?
I can think of a few embarrassing professional moments I wish I could “do over.” (Calling a college president “Don Juan” in jest. Thank you, Beth, for not firing me.) But mistakes are how we learn. Too many of my most precious relationships today are derived from major decision points in my past; had I made a different choice – some might have argued were better options – I would not have certain people in my life today. So, I would make the same choices all over again.
If money were no issue, how would you spend it?
Philanthropy. I’d enjoy supporting many good causes.
What makes you happiest?
My daughter’s laughter.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
A nice beach with white sand, hot sun, and cold drinks.
What do you do with idle time?
Ha!
What is it that makes you angry?
A lack of vision, aspiration, and interest in improving. I believe our community could be even better if we were willing to invest the needed resources.
What do you do to escape from reality?
Television. Spots, comedies, movies.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife, Michelle, and daughter Gabriella.
What is the quality you like most in a man?
Kindness
What is the quality you like most in a woman?
Kindness
What is your greatest extravagance?
We splurge on personal services to make our hectic lives a little more manageable.
What are your fears/phobias?
Swimming where I cannot see the bottom or at least know it is reasonably shallow.
What has been the happiest time of your life?
Previously, I really enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student away at college. But I enjoy my family now tremendously.
Which talent would you most like to possess?
I’d like to speak more languages.
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty, loyalty.
Which historical figure do you most admire?
Abraham Lincoln.
What is your greatest regret?
I wish I had started my own business when I was younger and had less to lose.
What tenet do you live by?
Golden rule.