Jeanette Greider’s arrival as the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce‘s new president came after a serendipitous turn of events in the spring of 2023.

Greider’s lengthy career in media sales and management had recently come to an end when she decided to participate in a customer service seminar given by the SPI Convention & Visitors Bureau. Greider wanted to network with others generally connected to her field of sales, marketing and serving customers. She also had long followed the SPI Chamber on social media and wanted to learn more about the Island.

It was at this event where she met Alita Bagley, the then-president of the SPI Chamber. Greider evidently left a positive impression. She soon thereafter learned that Bagley was retiring and her job with the chamber was coming open. Greider decided to try for the job, applying even if she thought her chances of getting the position were remote. 

The longshot possibilities she perceived were thankfully off the mark. After interviewing, Greider was offered the job in late August 2023 and started at the chamber the following month. 

“I was elated when I was offered the position,” she said. “I feel that it’s perfect for me and how we work to lift up and advocate for our members and the Island.”

Building Relationships

Greider’s start at the SPI Chamber coincided with the organization moving to new office space on 4113 Padre Boulevard.

The new chamber office is spacious and stylish and houses Greider and two longtime staffers – marketing director Dianna Harvill and membership services director Beverley Eymard. Greider praised both employees for their service to the chamber and the community and their assistance to her in leading the organization. 

She took the helm of the chamber after a months-long stint of shadowing Bagley, the former president. For Greider, the transition to working at a chamber was a smooth segue given her many years of working as a media sales executive in engaging with small businesses. Her background in working closely with small businesses serves her well as the chamber’s president.

Relationships with small business owners is a foundational piece of chamber of commerce work in any community. The mission of the Island’s chamber falls under that heading. Greider exudes an enthusiasm for connecting with SPI’s small businesses in laying out key goals for the nonprofit organization.

“We try to understand where they (chamber members) need help and how we can connect them to resources to help them thrive,” she said.

Key Goals

Greider and her staff encourage chamber members to use the resources of the Small Business Administration and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Both the SBA and the UTRGV offer programs focused on assisting small business owners. 

The other priorities Greider highlights for her organization are:

• Upgrading the chamber’s technological capabilities so it can improve in-office efficiencies and devote more time to working with and serving members.
• Helping small businesses navigate matters pertaining to city government and keeping members informed about issues being discussed at City Hall that may affect members.
• Continuing to improve the chamber’s robust website, which is filled with information about Island events and chamber activities. It also features a portal for members that is a gateway for communication, touting specials at individual businesses, and posting job openings.
• Utilize the space offered by the new 3,500-square-foot chamber building to host training sessions and meetings benefitting the Island’s business community.

Then there’s getting to all of the ribbon cuttings, breakfast meetings, luncheons, and other events organized by the chamber. It all goes toward maintaining and improving the quality of relationships the chamber has with its members and the community at-large, which includes local governments and area school districts. 

“I came in with a clean mindset,” Greider said. “I wanted to improve upon – not change – the things the chamber was doing to serve its members and the community. I love the Island and now it’s more than just loving the Island in working to help businesses succeed.”