|
Hauser ready for Chamber Director position
Lifetime Ulysses resident Marieta Hauser is looking forward to joining the Grant County Chamber of Commerce as the new Director. "I believed this position offered an opportunity to work with local businesses and community leaders to promote and grow Ulysses," said Hauser. I was born and raised here. It's my home and I was excited about being able to help keep Ulysses and Grant County a place to live and prosper."
Marieta's qualifications helped her attain the Director position. She is a graduate of Kansas agriculture and Rural Leadership Program. "This is one of two premier leadership programs offered in the state of Kansas," she explained. "This class allowed me to interact with communities across the state as well as Washington D.C., Australia and New Zealand. Most of our visits were in rural areas that face many of the same challenges that Grant County does." Marieta has also been active in Farm Bureau in the county and state levels. "In that position, I had the opportunity to lobby our legislature on issues important to agriculture and rural Kansas," she stated. "While these opportunities have helped me develop my leadership skills, I think my best qualification is my knowledge and love of Grant County. My family settled in this county many years ago and I want to see that Grant County continues to grow and prosper for my children and grandchildren."
As Chamber Director, Hauser will be working on many various events and activities to spark commerce in the community. "We are fortunate to have many great events such as the Home Products Dinner, Miss Southwest Kansas Pageant, Spring Fling and Fall Fest just to name a few," said Hauser. "I think the Grant County Chamber of Commerce has done an excellent job in promoting numerous events to showcase our community."
She is eager to begin working with the Board and build on the commerce foundation that is in place. Initially, her focus will be directed toward learning the day to day operations and executing the activities that are already planned. "My immediate plans are to learn the basic operations," she stated. "I would like to start meeting with members of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce as soon as I can to learn what they want from the Chamber. I will be busy meeting with all the various committees of the Chamber and seeing that all of the scheduled events take place in true Grant County style."
Marieta looks forward to promoting commerce in Ulysses. She has seen the changes the community has been through over the years and is excited to continue to working toward building healthy community commerce. "I know that the landscape of commerce in Ulysses is much different than it was when I was growing up, however; our lifestyles have also changed dramatically," Hauser explained. "We bought most of our goods and services locally at that time. Now many people are willing to travel further distances to shop. Sometimes it is a price issue and sometimes it is more of a social outing." She believes the price of fuel may make some out-of-town shoppers begin to think twice about traveling so far when hometown merchants offer great products and services here in Ulysses. Marieta is also excited about the several developments in the past couple of years thanks to the hard work of individuals in the community. "We will continue to face challenges but I think that Ulysses has what it takes to meet those challenges head on."
In the future, Hauser feels Ulysses has good things in store for the community. " I believe that Ulysses will grow, but not without some discomfort during the process," she stated. "I would like to see a community that is business friendly with citizens that understand the value of doing business locally when they can."
Marieta is excited to begin her new venture. "I encourage the people of Grant County to stop by and let me know how you think the Chamber of Commerce can better serve our community."
Marieta was born and raised in Ulysses and currently resides in southwest Grant County. She is a member of the Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership Alumni Association and Grant County Farm Bureau. She and her husband, Tom, have one daughter, three sons, one daughter-in-law and one granddaughter with another grandchild expected in early July.
No comments have been posted. Be the first!
| 
