I recently had the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with a very busy man, Mr. Al Taubenberger. Most Philadelphians know him as the Republican who ran against Michael Nutter for Mayor, but many more know him as the president and CEO of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He works day in and day out to help small and large business capitalize on new opportunities and network with one another.
1. What do you do for a living? How did you get started in the business? Was that something you always wanted to do?
“I am the President and CEO of the Greater Northeast Chamber of Commerce. I was asked to apply for the position. It was not something I wanted to do, however, it was brought to my attention that I could always say no. But once I had the job, even from the first day, I knew that it was a job I would love and have every day going forward.”
2. What would you do with your life if today if you knew you could not fail?
“Sky Dive, with absolute assurance that the parachute would open. I would do it, because failure in that situation could result in my demise.”
3. What characteristics or traits do you believe successful people have in common?
“High Energy, and Commitment to one another regarding follow up and keeping their word.”
4. How do you plan to change what you do today to grow your business for the future?
“More emphasis on Marketing and letting people know what I am doing. I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing, but I’m going to turn it up a notch and do it even better and more efficiently. Serving your customers makes it happen.”
5. How did you get others to believe in your dream?
By sharing the spot light and making them a part of that dream. A long time ago a father of a United States President, by the name of Joe Kennedy said ‘A Successful Campaign is the Culmination of many people’s ambitions.’”
6. What is the biggest challenge you face along the way? How do you overcome that challenge?
“Doing as many things as possible. I always have a full day, servicing the GNPCC members, also with outside organizations and volunteerism. I am very involved in our community town watch and civic association, as well as the German community. I’m a father of 4 so I am constantly on the go. Managing time can be a real challenge. Trying to be in 2 places at once can be done, it’s difficult, but possible.”
“I meet these challenges by working with people. Telling them honestly what I can and can’t do. And having people work with you in a very close fashion. I couldn’t do any of the many great things I do if I didn’t have the support from friends, coworkers, and most importantly my wife.”
7. What kind of formal/ informal education do you have?
“I have a Bachelor of Science from the college of Agriculture at Penn State University majoring in agronomy, which is soil science and field crop management. It is a totally different field than what most people expect. I use it everyday because the one thing that is used in politics, business and agronomy is the artistic use of manure. Nothing grows without it.”
8. What advice would you offer to someone starting out?
“Know the business that you want to get in as well as possible, work for someone who is successful in that business. Learn as much as you can about it and then when the moment is right, make an offer on that business or strike out on your own, making sure you have the capital to support it. The more you know the better off you are.”
9. What is the one accomplishment that gave you the greatest sense of pride in what you are doing?
“Taking the GNPCC to the next level by starting a newsletter, which the chamber had not had in 30 years. We’ve also built the chamber into something far beyond what I had imagined when I first started.”
10. Will you run for Mayor again?
“I might, but I will not run against Michael Nutter.”
11. What kind of relationship do you maintain with Mayor Nutter?
“An excellent one. We speak regularly and also meet on a regular basis, which is about once a month.”
12. What is the biggest change you’d like to see in the city of Philadelphia?
“More jobs, greater employment and opportunities for people who really have difficulty in the inner cities.”
Melissa Centifonti was born and raised in Philadelphia. She has a BA in Liberal Arts and spent her early career in art education. She currently works as a realtor on the Centifonti-Lippman Team in the Keller Williams Realty office, located in Washington Square.
