Garry Feldman Named Chairman of Stamford Chamber

article taken from BUSINESS FOCUS vol. 5 First Quarter 2003
By Karen Croke

Garry Feldman, President of U.S. Computer Connection, has been named the 15th Chairman of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. His company, U.S. Computer Connection (USCC), is a boutique provider of technology services for small to midsize businesses. The company designs, builds and supports Microsoft-based network infrastructures of all sizes, addressing the ever-changing needs of today's business.

Faifield Focus had a few questions for Mr. Feldman.

FF: How long have you been a member of the Stamford Chamber?
GF: I started U.S. Computer Connection in 1987 in my dorm room at Central Connecticut College. When I graduated in 1990, I moved to Stamford and opened a business on Strawberry Hill Avenue. I was not a native - I am from West Hartford - and I didn't know anyone in the business community here. I realized early on that the only way to meet people was to join the Chamber, and it worked. I joined in 1991and my membership enabled me to be introduced to many local businesses; from that start I began to get more involved in the Stamford business community and the Chamber.

For those who might not realize it, the Chamber is all about business-to-business introductions.

FF: Had you given any thought to an officer in The Chamber?
GF: Not really. At the time, I was very impressed with the Stamford business community and so I became active in a number of Chamber committees, such as the technology committee. From there, Jack Condlin asked if I was interested in joining the board. The Chamber is always looking for good volunteers, and there is a lot of opportunity.

I served on the Board from 1995 to 1996 and then I joined the Executive Committee as a member at large.

FF: As Chairman, what do you see happening under your watch in 2003?
GF: Certainly the hot issues that we are focusing on include transportation in and around Stamford and we are actively working on a transportation survey. How can we handle getting people to take the train or mass transit to the workplace? Stamford is home to many great organizations and businesses that will help assist us in evaluating and formulating solutions to our transportation problems.

The Chamber is truly the voice of the business community, with 1,500 members. They can really be experts on this issue for us. Through our surveys we can better understand what they are looking for and then we can take action.

We also plan to continue our strong relationship with the public schools through such programs as Tech Cycle, which I began with the public schools. We want educated and skilled workers to stay here in Stamford and through programs such as Tech Cycle we hope to make that easier.

There is always a focus, too, on growing the membership. We are at 1,500 members now, but The Chamber is always on the lookout for new active members. We have great new programs and continue to produce additional new programs for members.

In 2003, I would like to see us enliven the Chamber; to reinvigorate it, because an active membership is a strong membership.