As I leave my role as the president and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, many people have asked me what I have learned over these past 11 years. I have threatened to write a book about my Chamber adventures but perhaps this column might serve as the executive summary of that publication.

American business is strong. It is very encouraging to me that this great country of ours is still the breeding and training ground for exceptional business leadership around the entire world. Every country in the world educates their best and brightest in our world-class higher education system and most of the most successful international businesses have Americans at their helm. The American business model is truly the envy of the rest of the world.

However, that great American leadership cannot and should not be hamstrung with needless government regulation and intervention in my opinion. I am becoming increasingly concerned about the creeping government’s intrusion into our business and personal lives. It is the American business system that has created the wealth in this country and the opportunity for anyone willing to work hard to share in it. Government consumes wealth—it does not create it!

Needless to say, I am also very concerned about the state of political affairs (or lack thereof) here in Illinois. It borders on being downright disgraceful. It is not a partisan issue anymore since both sides of the aisle are exasperated and depressed.

It is time for the Illinois business community to stand up and be counted since it is the business sector that will ultimately suffer for this lack of state political leadership. If our current governor were leading a business like this, they would be bankrupt and out of business.

So quit your complaining and get on the phone, e-mail or letter and express your feelings. It is time for the Illinois business community to vent. We deserve better than this and it is about time we start demanding accountability for all of this political stupidity.

The greatest lesson I have learned is the business community is flexible and innovative enough to succeed in spite of all of the above. The resiliency of the business sector is phenomenal. Every problem or challenge is viewed as an opportunity to change, adapt, improve and succeed. Even failure is viewed as a learning experience or “character builder” towards business success.

There are so many stories I could write about involving Chamber members who have experienced and lived the preceding. That’s the real reward that only I could enjoy during these past 11 years. Watching, and at times actually helping, a business member learn and grow and become strong, secure and successful is very, very rewarding. It is almost too rewarding to describe.

Lastly, I have been privileged to come to know literally hundreds of business associates that I now call friends. These are people of great character and integrity. They have hearts that truly care about their employees and their community. They work long hours, often sacrificing their own family’s welfare for those they employ or serve. They readily give back, at times without even being asked. And, unfortunately, in many cases they don’t even get a thank you from those they employ or the communities they improve.

It is very easy to take business for granted because we are always there. America will continue to succeed because the American business sector will never let it fail. Our free and democratic way of life is the underpinning of our collective business success. I am very proud to have had the opportunity to be of service to so many wonderful people. Thank you for that great gift.

Mike Skarr is retiring as president and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at mskarr@naperville.net.