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The Power of Servant Leadership

by Jeff Dupont, CEO, Durango Chamber of Commerce

Servant leadership isn’t just a management style, it’s a commitment to creating a resilient company culture. Servant leaders prioritize the growth and well-being of employees, fostering an environment built on trust, transparency, and empowerment. By focusing on the needs of their team, servant leaders cultivate a culture of respect and accountability that drives engagement and productivity.

When employees feel genuinely valued and supported, they’re more likely to remain loyal and contribute at a higher level. Servant leaders understand this, making employee well-being a strategic priority. This commitment to employee well-being doesn’t just retain talent; it attracts new talent as well. In a competitive job market, companies known for putting their people first have a distinct advantage.

Transparency is essential to servant leadership. In many organizations, information has traditionally been concentrated at the top. Servant leaders take a different approach by openly sharing company goals, challenges, and strategic decisions. This transparency builds trust and loyalty by connecting employees to the organization’s future state. When employees understand the bigger picture, they feel more invested in the company’s success and are more likely to align their efforts with strategic objectives. This approach not only strengthens commitment but also fosters a culture of collaboration and shared purpose.

The most effective servant leaders lead by example, modeling integrity, humility, and accountability. By consistently demonstrating these values, they set a standard that inspires their teams, fostering a culture of respect and collaboration. It’s not about projecting perfection; it’s about showing authenticity, owning mistakes, and growing alongside the team. Authenticity builds credibility and reinforces a culture of continuous learning and development.

Servant leadership isn’t just good for employees; it’s smart business. By prioritizing people and building a culture rooted in trust, employees feel empowered to innovate and contribute to continuous improvement. They take ownership of the organization’s successes and challenges, motivating performance and accountability.

Organizations that embrace servant leadership gain a strategic advantage. By cultivating empowered teams and a culture of trust, businesses don’t just survive, they thrive.

HR Workshop: Solving Workplace

Disputes Peacefully

March 13th 11:30 - 1:30 | Durango Public Library, Room 1

Join local employment attorney and mediator Dave Albrechta as he shares cost-effective strategies for resolving workplace disputes.

Learn how to foster a positive workplace culture, reduce legal risks, and preserve professional relationships.

Lunch is included.

RSVP

March Business After Hours

Hosted by Blue Rain Gallery

Join us March 20th, 5pm to 7pm at Blue Rain Gallery for networking, great food & drinks! Door prizes provided by Star Liquors & Blue Rain Gallery!

March Nonprofit Showcase:

Durango Creative District

Pre-register & SAVE!

AI for Business Decision Making with

Tomasz Miaskiewicz of F ort Lewis College

March 26th • TBK Bank • 12-1:30 pm

This workshop explores AI tools that enhance decision-making and teamwork. Participants will gain practical strategies to integrate AI into workflows, improving collaboration, productivity, and efficiency.

Reserve Your Spot

Mornings at El Moro - Monthly Networking & Learning Series with the Durango Chamber

Join us on the first Tuesday of the month for an engaging program from 7:45am to 9am at El Moro Spirits & Tavern. Connect with community peers, participate in a 25-minute learning session presented by a community leader, organization, or business. Showcase your best elevator pitch in this morning mingle.

Enjoy complimentary coffee by 81301 and a delicious $12 El Moro breakfast burrito – the perfect start to your day! Check out DurangoBusiness.org for details & to order your breakfast burrito.

Mark Your Calendar!

Tuesday, Apr. 1st Fairgrounds Update with Emily Spencer

Tuesday, May 6th Economic Alliance Update on Childcare Initiatives

Tuesday, June 3rd

Your Business Advocate: How the Durango Chamber Champions Your Interests

by Kim Oyler, COO, Durango Chamber of Commerce

The Durango Chamber of Commerce is your dedicated advocate, championing business interests at local, county, and state levels. We prioritize a unified approach when communicating with government officials, ensuring the business community’s voice is heard.

Our advocacy efforts include:

Monitoring Legislation: We keep a close eye on bills and policies that affect our business community, from the State Capitol to local government.
Taking a Stand: We support or oppose legislation that impacts local businesses, including recent advocacy for SB25-33 (liquor licenses) and other key bills.
Engaging Elected Officials: As the voice of small business, we convey the business community's viewpoints directly to decision-makers.
Connecting You: We facilitate connections between business members and elected officials.
Securing a Strong Future: We work to maintain a robust business climate and safeguard La Plata County’s economic future.

Stay informed with the Legislative Action Coalition's monthly reports and access other valuable resources, including legislative positions and contact information. Find the latest reports here.

Business Connection with Brennan Oil

By Sara Lynn Valentine

Brennan Oil, an oil and gas wholesaler and transport company, has been supplying Durango residents with fuels since 1923. MJ Brennan started the company, buying oil right off the railroad and selling it locally. MJ was involved in many local enterprises, and served as Durango’s Postmaster. Brennan Oil has been family-owned and operated for over a hundred years now and is managed by 4th and 5th generation family members.

“Three of my uncles are still in the business,” says Jason Schmidt, co-owner and great-great grandson of MJ. “They are 4th generation. My cousin and I are the 5th generation.” Many members of the family, as well as a couple of very valuable, longtime employees, have been essential to the longevity and success of Brennan Oil. “My son and my brother’s kids are the 6th generation,” Jason says. “We want them to keep it going - but right now they’re still under ten years old!”

Over the years Brennan Oil has owned gas stations and convenience stores, with associated restaurants, carwashes and express lube services. “We recently sold the last of retail side of the business to return to our roots,” Jason says. “We’re back where we started - wholesaling oil and gas. We sell to the public out of our bulk facility, plus we transport our fuels to gas stations.”

Brennan has only had three fuel suppliers in its hundred-years plus history. The company’s first supplier was Texaco, the second was Exxon, and recently when the contract with Exxon Petroleum Corp expired, they signed a contract with Marathon, which has a more robust loyalty rewards program.

Brennan Oil has a long history of giving back to the community. “My grandpa was very big on donating to local causes, and we have tried to carry that on,” Jason says. “We have a lot of pride in Durango. We support our local FFA, the Humane Society, the local school booster programs and sports programs. We give consistently to local causes when asked. We sponsor events at the VFW, are big supporters of the County Fair and especially like to help local kids who have raised animals, by buying a pig at auction, or donating toward what they’ve had to spend to raise their steers and sheep and pigs."

“Brennan Oil is an exceptional place to work,” says Jason’s aunt, Michelle Brennan, who handles the bookkeeping and financials for Brennan Oil. “Almost all of us are family, so we care deeply about the continuation of the business and conducting ourselves ethically.”

You can contact Brennan Oil at (970) 247-3085, or via email office@brennanoilcompany.com

Featured Chamber Young Professional of Durango:

Kessy Dalton

Where do you work & what do you do? I am a full time Associate Broker at EXIT Realty Home & Ranch. I help sellers,

investors, and buyers throughout the complexities of a real estate transaction.

Why did you want to be a YPOD member? I became a YPOD member after covid to regain a sense of connection and community.

What do you love about the YPOD program? I love attending networking events, trainings, and happy hours! Being a YPOD member has helped me gain confidence in my social skills, along with learning how others manage their businesses. I love learning from other eager professionals.

How do you spend your free time? You can catch me on the slopes or practicing yoga with cats if I am not at a listing appointment.

Want to join the YPODs? Find out more here.

Chamber Diplomat Spotlight:

Ben Frihauf

What’s a typical day like for you in your profession? A typical day is spent approximately 70% helping insured's and quoting new business and 30% meeting with referral partners and getting out in the community.

What motivated you to join the Chamber Diplomat Program? I wanted to be more involved in Durango. After leaving a career where I had clients all over the world, but not locally, it was nice to buy a local business and use the Diplomats as a way to get involved.

What’s a skill or passion you have outside of work? I have spent years of my life backpacking. I built the first home we owned and enjoy reading (I usually have several books going at once).

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Show up, work hard and have a great attitude. That is all you need for success.

Want to Join this Fun and Professional Group? Find out more here.

Leadership La Plata Alumni Feature:

Carly Van Hof Thomson

What do you do for a living? I am the co-owner of Sage Fresh Eats, Zia Taqueria, and Zia Cantina. I oversee all three businesses.

What LLP Class were you in? 2018-2019

What do you love about LLP? LPP is a fantastic networking experience and introduces leaders to a wide range of topics and issues that impact our community.

How does the Chamber help your business? My favorite Chamber programs are the continuing education series like Lunch & Learns.

Share a less-known fact about you. I'm originally from Rhode Island.

Learn more about Leadership La Plata at LeadershipLaPlata.org.

What’s Happening with our Chamber Members!

Find more information here.

Every Wednesday American Legion Trujillo-Sheets Post 28 Luncheons

Every 1st & 3rd Sundays VFW Post 4031 hosts a community breakfast

Mar. 1-31st Local Extraordinary Women Portrait Exhibit at the Library

Mar. 12 5:30pm Womenade at Public House 701

Mar. 15 12pm FLC Softball vs. CSU Pueblo

Mar. 16 11am FLC Basketball vs. CSU Pueblo

Mar. 22 8:30 am Homebuyer Education Class

Mar. 26 5:30pm WRC's Extraordinary Woman Award Dinner

Want your event listed? It’s free! Log in to your portal or call us at (970) 247-0312 ext 2

LLP Monthly Focus:

Leadership: A Quality,

a Skill-Set, a Position?

By Beth Porter, Four Corners Broadcasting & LLP Alum

Success often doesn’t rest on the actions of one strong or charismatic individual…the “leader.” It comes from the efforts of a group working together to achieve results. Leadership creates direction, alignment and commitment. It isn’t necessarily a position. It is a skill set that can be learned and honed.

Here are just a few leadership skills:

Conflict resolution: spotting tensions before they escalate, managing conflicts that do arise, navigating different personalities and different work styles. Successful conflict resolution employs respect, compassion, integrity and courage.
Critical thinking: thinking clearly and rationally, understanding logical connections between ideas, questioning things in an active way. This demands learning agility.
Communication: conveying ideas clearly, listening actively, ensuring mutual understanding, articulating a vision, providing guidance.
Adaptability: anticipating change, being quick and adaptable, being transparent and accountable.
Emotional intelligence: understanding and managing one’s own emotions, recognizing and responding to the emotions of others.

LLP March Sponsor:

Beth Porter is the Senior Marketing Consultant with Four Corners Broadcasting and an alumni of Leadership La Plata Class of 2015-2016.

EB5 Investors

Denis Stackeusky

2151 Michelson Drive, Suite 188

Irvine, CA 92612

(800) 997-1228

website

Blue Mountain Financial Healthcare Advocacy

Sara Haworth

Durango, CO 81301

(970) 501-5737

website

Rocky Mountain Sheds

Stephan Lazare

29318 US -160, Unit 56

Durango, CO 81303

(970) 335-8060

website

Murphree Accounting PLLC

Chelsea Murphree

707 Ford Drive

Durango, CO 81301

(469) 867-3755

connect here

Nook Ceramics

Jillian Kaulius

98 Everett Street, Unit F

Durango CO 81303

(908) 208-3340

website

Pine River Financials LLC

Michaela Trigg

524 Ludwig Dr

Bayfield, CO 81122

(970) 919-0211

website

Caver Jewelry

Adam Caver

1053 Main Ave., Suite102

Durango, CO 81301

(970) 232-4213

website

Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse (MAPDA)

Mary Bono

10 Town Plaza #301

Durango, CO 81301

(202) 455-8815

website

AlignTec Incorporated

Alpine Bank

Andrew Cooper-Sansone

Aramark/ Mesa Verde Co.

Art Supply House, Inc.

Bank of the San Juans

Bayfield Bookkeeping LLC

Big O Tires - Durango

Bob's Johns, Inc.

Builders First Source

Clearnetworx

Coldwell Banker

Community Foundation Serving SW Colorado

David Steele

Dorothy Parker Design

Durango Liquor & Wine Co.

Energy Council

Farha Roofing, LLC

Farnsworth Group, Inc.

Four Corners Stoves and Spas

Grease Monkey & Car Wash

Guild Mortgage

Hampton Inn

Hesperus Tech

Jack-A-Lope Acres

Jessica Gregg- RE/MAX Pinnacle

Johnny Castillo

Kennebec Cafe

Kysar Millennium Leavitt Insurance Agency

La Plata County

La Plata County Search & Rescue

La Plata Electric Association, Inc.

Leah Ilanah - Business Solutions Inc

Lizard Head Trading Company LLC

Local First

Local News Network

Manna Soup Kitchen

Mobile Storage Solutions, LLC

Mountain Luxe Interiors

Nature's Oasis... Durango's Great

Natural Market

Parker's Animal Rescue

Power to Act

Purgatory Resort

Region 9 Economic Development

District of SWCO

Region 9 Economic Development

District of SWCO

River Liquors

Roto-Rooter Service

San Juan Symphony

Sandy A Lane Consulting

Sky Ute Casino Resort

Southern Colorado Community Action Agency (SoCoCAA)

State Farm Insurance/ Denise Elliott

Strater Hotel

Sunnyside Meats, Inc.

Taylored Tours

The Mark Craig Agency Inc. -

Colo Farm Bureau

The UPS Store 3715

Three Springs

University of Colorado System

Vaughn Johnson DDS MS Orthodontics

Vectra Bank

Volunteers of America

Waste Management of Colorado

Stronger Friendship Bonds, Longer Workplace Tenure: 51% of Hiring Managers and 76% of Job Seekers Agree

How Connections Improve Morale and Productivity

Over the past few months, many major companies have instituted a return-to-work policy for their employees, with some citing the change as a way to foster a stronger culture and a more productive workforce. However, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey, workplace friendships may be the accelerator for these elements.

Nearly all U.S. hiring managers (97%) feel there are benefits to employees forming friendships in the workplace, including:

Improving employee and company productivity (67%)
Increasing employee morale (55%)
Strengthening company culture (51%)
Improving employee mental health (50%)
Reducing turnover (44%)
Reducing employee burnout (40%)

Friendships may help retain current employees, as 89% say employees are more likely to stay with a company if they have friendships in the workplace, with 42% strongly agreeing with this statement.

HR Workshop: Solving Workplace

Disputes Peacefully

AI for Business Decision Making with

﻿Tomasz Miaskiewicz of Fort Lewis College

Leadership La Plata Alumni Feature:

Tomasz Miaskiewicz of F ort Lewis College