A message from the Chamber’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Chellie Cameron, to our regional business community as we work together to achieve our Chamber 2028 vision.
Dear Chamber Community,
November is National Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of the men and women who served our nation. As a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, this month holds deep meaning for me, as it provides an opportunity to recognize and express gratitude for the contributions of the veterans who lead our business community.
As I reflect on my own journey, I'm grateful that my experience in the Air Force provided invaluable hands-on leadership experience. The lessons I learned during my military career, to confront challenges head-on and to prioritize service, continue to guide how I lead today.
Across our city and region, many of our Chamber member companies are led by veterans or employ veterans who bring unique skills and perspectives to their organizations. Leaders like Bill Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citadel Credit Union and a member of our Board of Directors, exemplify this impact. A former Naval Flight Officer and foreign-affairs officer at the Pentagon, Bill now guides Citadel in serving more than 270,000 members across our region. He brings his training to assess risk, act decisively under pressure, and adapt when conditions change to his work each day when navigating today's fast-paced business environment.
Similarly, at Layer 8 Security, veterans Jeffrey Lipson, Chief Executive Officer, and Kevin Hyde, President and Co-Founder, have leveraged their mission-first mindset to build a successful cybersecurity advisory, consulting, and technical services firm. Their commitment extends beyond business. They actively support scholarships at Pennsylvania State University to help educate the next generation of veteran leaders. These stories remind us of the profound impact veterans have in shaping a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive business community.
Chamber members will have the opportunity to connect with another veteran, Clyde Woltman, Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo Helicopters, at our upcoming Leader to Leader program on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Clyde, who also serves on our Board and Executive Committee, will share his thoughts and philosophy on leadership and how he's leveraged his military experience to lead and develop a team of more than 1,000 employees. Speaking to fellow executives, he will explore how discipline, adaptability, and accountability can be applied to building resilient organizations and driving sustained success.
Beyond the contributions of today's veteran leaders, Greater Philadelphia holds a unique place in our nation's military story as the proud birthplace of both the United States Navy and Marine Corps. This fall, our region honored that legacy by welcoming veterans and service members for Homecoming 250, a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marine Corps, both founded at Independence Hall. Throughout October and November, these historic events gave us the opportunity to salute our military, recognize their service, and reflect on their enduring contributions. I was honored to attend the Parade of Ships in October, a spectacular kickoff to the commemorations and a powerful reminder of the deep ties between our region and America's armed forces.
During this season of thanks, I hope you'll join me in sharing your gratitude for those who have served.
In Service,
Chellie
Chellie Cameron
President and Chief Executive Officer,
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
