Giving Back: Wray lending hand to River Parishes
Published 12:17 am Wednesday, January 27, 2016
- Annette Wray, service manager for Cox New Orleans market, goes over some telephone training with Lauri Daunoy. Wray said she will use her coworker and customer service skills at the River Region Chamber of Commerce.
LAPLACE — Whether it’s helping her customers at work or helping local businesses in the River Parishes, Annette Wray is there to lend a hand.
River Region Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Annette Wray, left, stands next to Nathan Stein, Past Chair, who was recognized this month for his service to the Chamber. They are joined at right by executive director Chassity McComack.
Wray is the service manager for Cox New Orleans market. She acts as the single point of contact that helps the top 50 customers with any issues or concerns.
Wray has been with Cox for three years and actually got the job through connections she made as a member of the River Region Chamber of Commerce.
Wray started as a charter member in 2004, and according to executive director Chassity McComack, has served in many capacities through the Chamber’s 12 years of existence.
McComack said prior to being elected to serve on the Board in 2008, Wray volunteered as communications chair for two years and served an additional two years on the professional diversity council.
During her term on the Board, Wray also served as secretary to the Board. Currently, Wray is the 2016 Chamber chairwoman.
“She is definitely no stranger to the Chamber and will continue a legacy as we continue to ‘Grow, Strengthen and Unify business in the River Region,’” McComack said.
In both positions, whether paid or voluntary, Wray wants to help those seeking assistance.
“The customer experience is the most important thing,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what you sell, it doesn’t matter what your company does but your customers are No. 1. I really want to make that evident in the Chamber.”
Wray said Chamber members are the business group’s No. 1 priority and her personal goal is to make sure she is visible to Board members and small and medium business interests, as well.
“I need to be visible and let them know that we do care about them,” she said, adding that giving her time to the Chamber is something she enjoys.
“Actually, I was really worried that I was taking a lot of time away from my kids doing Chamber things,” Wray said. “I asked my older daughter if she was OK with it because it was less time I was spending with them. She said that she was very proud, because she saw what community service is and how it benefits people. She liked the fact I was doing that, so if I can impress upon my kids that community service is important and that we have to help others, than it makes me feel that I’m on the right track.”
Wray doesn’t want the Chamber to be seen as an “event organization.”
“One of our goals this year is to make sure we are seen as a value or port organization,” she said.
“Even though we have networking events, golf tournaments and all that, those are opportunities for our businesses to be able to get into one place and start meeting other people and make connections.”
McComack said Wray fosters a high sense of team spirit that should bring more engagement from the Board and membership.
“Her expertise in communications will assist us in raising the bar for our Chamber’s current avenues and processes,” McComack said, “I believe members will truly value as we tweak and integrate additional strategies on how to get more involved with their local Chamber.”
