The HVBF Appoints Jenn Brake as Executive Director to Manage Next Growth Spurt of 450-Member Business Organization
Group serves as collective voice for Hunt Valley-area businesses, and pursues mission to promote growth and development through networking, programming, and communication
The Hunt Valley Business Forum (HVBF), a group comprised of nearly 450 members and 150 member companies and individuals with interests in the greater Hunt Valley business community, has appointed Jennifer Brake as its new Executive Director. She brings more than 20 years of directly-related business, marketing communications, operations, and entrepreneurial experience to this position, highlighted by founding Brake Marketing & Management, an association management company.
“During a time when the membership of other like-minded chambers of commerce organizations is dwindling, participation with and support of the Hunt Valley Business Forum has never been stronger, and we were looking for a passionate leader to manage our next growth spurt,” stated Danielle Beyrodt, Chairperson of the HVBF Board of Directors and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Hill Management Services. “We have an extremely passionate and committed board of directors which have created a powerhouse group involving the key companies and professionals with interests and investments in the greater Hunt Valley region. As we strive to scale operations and expand both our membership and our reach, it was critical to add experienced resources to manage our processes and operations.
Beyrodt explains that the Hunt Valley Business Forum is a “true outlier organization” given the “built-in camaraderie of the membership in which companies intentionally provide business opportunities for each other.” She explained that, “when attending business networking events with other groups, it is typical to find yourself targeted by salespeople with only one interest in mind. By comparison, the Hunt Valley Business Forum fosters a comfortable and pressure-free environment with the main goal of networking and the exchange of ideas.”
In her new role, Brake and her team will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the business organization with a focus on growing the corporate and individual membership base, elevating the stature and visibility of the group before its key stakeholders and external audiences, supporting legislative and public policy efforts, executing special event and educational programming, and maintaining the Hunt Valley Business Forum’s position as a trusted network that brings consistent value to its membership. Brake will work closely with the Forum’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee to help implement and advance their strategic goals.
“Most importantly,” Beyrodt said, “we are looking for Jenn and her team to take the administrative burden off our board of directors, to free their time to do what they do best - namely, attracting new sponsors, supporting members, and focusing on legislative and public policy issues. We have attracted a who’s who group of local companies including McCormick & Company, St. John Properties, Greenberg Gibbons Commercial, Hill Management Services, Obrecht Properties, Point Breeze Credit Union, Floors Etc., Keelty Homes, and Merritt Properties, who are tremendous supporters of our organization.”
“The Hunt Valley Business Forum’s purpose-driven and member-centered approach resonated with my focus on strengthening member engagement, driving organizational growth, and delivering value-based events and programming,” Brake explained. “The Forum has outstanding foundational support and committed leaders and volunteers that are anxious to expand the reach of the organization, scale operations, and continue to provide an extremely robust return on investment to the current membership, with a goal of surpassing the 500-member mark later this year.
The Forum’s June event, “Hunt Valley Business Day,” is open to all area businesses. It is scheduled for June 18 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Executive Plaza Courtyard, located at 11350 McCormick Road, Hunt Valley.
The Hunt Valley Business Forum serves as the collective voice for Hunt Valley-area businesses, with a mission to promote growth and development through networking, educational programs, and relevant communications. For more information about the group, as well as a list of upcoming events, please visit www.hvbf.org