Love Worth Finding CEO Delivers Message Worth Hearing

Cary Vaughn Inspires with Five Levels of Leadership

Collierville Chamber Board Chairman Jimmy Turner welcomed attendees at the October Monthly Membership meeting and recognized civic leaders in attendance. He then thanked the Chamber’s Premier partners for their ongoing support of the Chamber and Corporate Cuisine Catering for providing the day’s excellent lunch.

As is customary, Chamber CEO and President Mark Heuberger took the podium to highlight and welcome several new members of the Chamber and recognized representatives of the companies who were in attendance, offering them a chance to say a few words about their companies.

A highlight of each Monthly Membership Meeting during the academic school year is the presentation of the Collierville High School Student of the Month. Collierville High School Principal Roger Jones and Charles Brasfield of Patriot Bank, the corporate sponsor of the Student of the Month program, took the stage to introduce and welcome the month’s honoree, CHS Red Dragon Dylan Colston. Jones described Colton as an “incredibly hard worker,” who has proven himself academically, musically and civically. With a 4.15 combined grade point average, seven Advanced Placement courses, 13 honors classes, and a 32 ACT score, he has shown his academic skills. Colton is also a member of the school’s Marching Band and as drum major, serves as the “personality of the band itself.” He also participates in the jazz band and wind ensemble. He volunteers with the Botanic Gardens and plans to attend the University of Tennessee and major in musical education and a minor in psychology.

Travis Chapman, CEO of Local Mortgage, the day’s sponsor, offered a brief overview of the family-owned mortgage lender, highlighting their competitive edge and personal service. Chapman then welcomed the day’s featured speaker to the stage.

Cary Vaughn is the CEO and President of Love Worth Finding Ministries, a worldwide radio, TV and internet ministry reaching 196 countries, with the potential of reaching millions of households across the globe. Love Worth Finding offers exposure across all social media platforms and broadcasts on 2,500 radio outlets. Vaughn not only leads the ministry’s 30^th Anniversary Campaign he also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Love Worth Finding – Canada.

Vaughn has a wide range of experience in economic development, having served with the State of Tennessee, Department of Economic and Community Development, representing the Southwest Region. He also chaired the Shelby County Suburban Chamber Alliance for several years. He is Vice Chair of the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce and serves on the EDGE Board of Directors for Memphis and Shelby County.

Treating the audience to a synopsis of the phenomenal growth of Love Worth Finding, he related a story of how the radio ministry led to a significant financial gift from someone who had been encouraged to listen by his sister. In short, her suggestion led to years of his listening which led to a nice donation, a conversation, a trip, a dinner and growing financial support that culminated in a million-dollar gift. The power of the ministry to reach people and to connect in a very real way is apparent, not just from such financial support, but from the very growth of the ministry in numbers of people they reach with their ministry.

Vaughn discussed Five Levels of Leadership, from someone who leads because “He’s the boss,” to the boss who directs from a “results-oriented” persuasion, and finally to those who are followed out of respect for who they are. As Vaughn pointed out, that, of course, is the ultimate goal for any leader. That is the “type of leader you want to be, that’s who I want to be.”

Heuberger, with Chamber Board Member Maureen Yarborough and Dr. Mary McDonald of MCD Consulting, closed the event with a reminder of the Ascend Business Summit coming up on November 7 at the Hilton Memphis.