An Impressive First Year at the Helm
ChamberSOUTH, founded 60 years ago, represents businesses located in South Miami, Kendall, Cutler Bay, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, and Greater South Dade. Rick Alberty serves as the organization’s executive director and has been making notable gains for the chamber, more than doubling the membership from 100 to 250 members in just under one year. A highly experienced and successful logistics manager, Alberty has put his knowledge of operational efficiency into making several essential changes to ChamberSOUTH.
Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Alberty took a job at United Parcel Service as a loader in 1977—in less than a year he was made a part time supervisor. He rose through the corporate ranks to become a division manager and after 20 years with UPS, he left the company. His next job was as a logistics manager for Amerijet, an air cargo company, and then on to the management of an iron ore mine in Chile for four years. Later, he worked in crisis commodities and shipping goods, further honing his logistical skills. His employment prior to “retiring” was as the manager of a high-end barbershop and bar in Coral Gables, initially as a favor to a friend. In three months, Alberty moved the business from $13,000 per month to $30,000 per month.
While managing the Coral Gables business, Alberty joined the city’s Chamber and later became a board member, and, within four years, an executive board member. He considered retirement and then had second thoughts and decided to apply for the directorship of ChamberSOUTH.
Rick officiating at the Kitchen 57 ribbon-cutting.
Alberty’s successful best practices and chamber experience continue to serve ChamberSOUTH extremely well. With a staff of one marketer and one operations manager, he has not only significantly added to the membership but has launched five new committees (among them, small business, the return of the education committee, and banking), added eight members to increase the board to 21, reduced memberships fees, and increased the number of multi-organizational events. Additionally, he is promoting the chamber, and members and their businesses with videos uploaded to social media to increase visibility within the community. Keen to encourage equitable opportunities for all members, no matter what their size, and to keep them involved in the chamber, Alberty believes it is his responsibility to retain members while giving them value for their money and their time. His future goal is to double the ChamberSOUTH membership within the next three years. “I want to contribute to steadily grow the chamber’s mission,” said Alberty. “Then my plans are to finish out my professional career at ChamberSOUTH.”
Rick Alberty, Yeseenia Moreno, and Brian Aurbach, Board Members, taking a selfie with other Chamber members at a monthly luncheon.
Photos courtesy of All Star Event Photography
The mission of ChamberSOUTH is to maintain a leadership role in the community through programs, services, and events that promote business development, build community connections, and celebrate local success. ChamberSOUTH is in Fuchs Park at 6410 SW 80th Street, South Miami, 33143. For more information, please call (305)-661-1621 or check out the chamber online at info@chambersouth.com.