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Get to know your Chamber Chairman, Darrin Black!

January 31, 2020Darrin Black, Black Plumbing & 2019-20 Abilene Chamber of Commerce Chair

Meet Darrin Black. Darrin is the proud owner of Black Plumbing and is currently serving a one-year term as the Chairman for the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. His term began in Oct. of 2019, and we thought it was time for you, our member, to get to know your Chair.

Chamber Involvement: Black Plumbing opened its doors in 1994. My support for the Abilene Chamber and its mission has been there since day one. However, my schedule with the Abilene Fire Department (AFD) created many time conflicts and it was difficult, if not impossible, to be fully engaged at that time. After retiring from AFD in 2013, I was finally afforded the long-desired opportunity to be fully committed to the Abilene Chamber and its various activities and events. As life would have it, I was also introduced to my wife, Terri, through avenues here at the Chamber. We will be celebrating three years of marriage in May of this year.

Goals for your term: My goals for the remainder of my term with the Abilene Chamber are to continue to focus on membership and our members, the visioning plan established by our Board for 2019-2020, the support of our affiliates and committees, continued support of our Downtown Initiative, and to remain actively engaged in our Military Affairs Committee. I also want to continue to support the overall mission and objectives set forth by the Chamber to secure a more vibrant workforce, quality of life opportunities, enriching education, and continue to enhance member engagement.

Favorite thing to do when you’re not working? I love being outdoors. This includes working, playing, boating, and hunting. I have an overall appreciation for the opportunity to engage with nature and include family and friends in the fellowship of these activities.

Favorite part about volunteering with the Chamber? The people. The experience this position has given me of attending many of the affiliate board meetings and committee meetings has afforded me the opportunity to meet more like-minded individuals with servant hearts, who exhibit this every day. This passion for the people is why, in my opinion, I believe our Chamber is so strong.

Why do you think the Chamber is important to the community? The Chamber is an essential component to the growth and revitalization of Downtown, workforce, education, quality of life and business development in Abilene. The Chamber, alongside contributions from our affiliates and community partners, all play a vital role in giving back to the community.

Accomplishment you are most proud of? My family. Being a family owned business and having my youngest son involved in the future and preservation of this business for years to come is very rewarding. My children of our blended family are my pride and joy; at least they were until we started getting grandchildren. The kids have since been replaced in relevance and importance by seven wonderful grandkids.

New Year’s Resolution: To Be Healthy!

Favorite Quote: There are two: “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein; “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

What inspires you? I find inspiration in relationships. Realizing the differences and complexities of people as they enter your life, to me, is intriguing. My role as a husband, father, grandfather, chairman, employer, mentor, friend, etc., has made me increasingly aware of just how many people, from many different walks of life, I encounter on a daily basis.

What do you enjoy most about being Chair? The education. It is one thing to view at the Chamber from the outside looking in and it is a completely different thing to view it from the inside looking out. There is definitely a learning curve.

Secondly, and equally, I enjoy being my wife’s boss since she works at one of our Chamber affiliates as the Resource Specialist of the Abilene Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (ACVB).

Why did you chose Abilene as your forever home? Once again, Family. I really wanted my children to have roots established here. Obviously, my career as a fire fighter and establishing Black Plumbing in Abilene, has been a huge blessing for me personally. The people here are exceptional. The community has afforded me the opportunity to succeed in business. I owe Abilene and its surrounding communities all my gratitude and thanks. There is simply never a way I could ever repay Abilene and its citizens for everything it has done for our family.

Dogs or Cats? DOGS!!! ….. and cows

Last good book you read? Will You Go?  By Mark Hewitt of Love and Care Ministries

Favorite place to vacation: Terri and I really enjoy traveling to many different places. We have vacationed in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and Colorado; as well as adult only, all-inclusive beach resorts in the Caribbean. We are also planning a vacation to Europe soon.

My family: My wife Terri; affectionately known as Sue Sue.

Children:
Cody (35) and wife, Amanda
Gina (34)
Chris (32) and wife, Monica
Chelsey (31) and husband, Marco
Megan Morrow (25) and husband, Pender
Justin Lanham (21)

Grandchildren:
Kodie Marie (13)
Maverick (10)
Hayden (6)
Presley (6)
Xeric (6)
Austin (3)
Sophia (1 today)

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