Roll Call: Fred Guerra, Director of Public Policy & Education

By Penny Lynch, Communications Manager

I‘d like to introduce you to the Chamber’s own “extreme commuter” Fred Guerra who travels from Kyle to Dallas on a weekly basis. Fred is able to maintain an important balance between his professional DRC work in Dallas, which he loves, and his very valuable family life in Kyle. He manages to keep things in perspective, while creating harmony between his family life and work. Read on to find out what Fred would wish for if he had the choice.

What do you most enjoy doing on the weekends?
Because I am an “extreme commuter”, time spent with my family is very precious and special. Consequently, as a new grandparent, I absolutely love and treasure spending time with my wife, daughter, son-in-law and most especially my grandson, Jakson. Also, weekends afford me time to visit my 85 year old mother.

What’s your biggest regret? If any?
Living with regrets is something I really try not to live with. The things I do and decisions I make today are based on the best information I have at the time. It is counterproductive, I think, to look at the past and think about regrets because your “view” today is through a “lens” that is different than the one you had in the past.

I have seen too many people in my life get so burdened down with regrets of things they did, things they wish they had done, and things they probably should not have done. To quote Don Draper, the protagonist of AMC‘s television series Mad Men, do what you have to do in life, move forward, and you will be surprised by how much these things really didn’t matter.

If you had one wish, other than winning the lotto what would it be and why?
In a magical world in which I was granted one wish, I would ask to be given the ability, capacity, power, clout, and authority to compel members of Congress, from both parties, to work together and place the interests of the American people ahead of their political parties and personal political and financial aspirations.

The American people deserve it and should demand it!

Why is team work Important in the world of public policy?
Any team, regardless of the organization, simply cannot achieve its goals, objectives, and mission without collaboration, teamwork, consensus, and partnership. In my opinion, teams accomplish a great deal if they support, promote, advance, and encourage each other and collectively strive to advance the mission of their organization.

How would you describe your Team?
In my opinion, the Chamber’s Public Policy & Education Team is best described as being collaborative, professional, accommodating, friendly, fun, and focused on working with all DRC departments in achieving the Chamber’s 2011 Blueprint Strategic Plan objectives.

Why is Public Policy important to the Chamber?
I do not believe any of our five major DRC Blueprint priorities can be accomplished or achieved without the involvement, input, and participation of Public Policy. In partnership with other DRC departments, Public Policy is a key player in the Chamber’s effort in providing effective, responsive, and value-added service for its members.

Can you list one thing you would like the Chamber to continue doing or one thing you believe the Chamber does well?
Because the Chamber does a superb job in recruiting qualified, talented employees,  I would like to see the Chamber continue its visible efforts to diversify its team.  It is very heartening to work with and for Chamber leadership which believes in and supports a diverse workforce.

It is my absolute firm belief, all organizations can reap tremendous benefits and fashion a committed, dedicated, hard-working workforce when it celebrates, endorses, and actively seeks a diverse team. A diverse workforce can produce new ideas and perspectives, increase retention of valuable employees, strengthen the motivation and buy-in of employees, which will lead to greater productivity and efficiency.

My personal view of the “value” of a diverse workforce is best stated by John C. Maxwell, an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who wrote: “Within an organization, a few qualities must be homogenous—held in common by all. These are values, vision, and commitment to the team. However, in most areas, hiring for diversity is the wisest course of action. The strongest environments are inhabited by leaders with varied expertise, experiences, backgrounds, and temperaments.”