Not uncommonly, life’s journey takes twists and turns—some by choice, some by necessity. In Amy Hamdan’s case, who’s been District Organizer for the Beaumont Business Association for the last two years, the need to spend more time tending to the medical issues of her parents and assist her husband brand and market his mortgage loan business brought her to the end of her tenure with the BBA in late September.
Amy Hamden departs
Amy leaves the business development organization in good stead, and with a great deal of BBA appreciation for her contributions. This year she was the recipient of the E. John & Cleo Rumpakis award, a new BBA award named after these longtime Beaumont-Wilshire business and property owners, civic and community improvement activists, and philanthropists.
“Amy was the first recipient of this award,” said Andrew Frazier, BBA president and principal of Frazier Wealth Management in Beaumont Village. “It was presented to her because she did such an awesome job for the organization and in connecting with the community.” Frazier cited some of Amy’s successful efforts, which include a significant BBA membership increase, a reintroduction of the hanging flower basket program, public art installations, and the new “Fright Night” event that offered a little Halloween fun, complete with trick-or-treating and a haunted house.
In the spirit of community cooperation, Amy also served as the BBA representative at Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association meetings to collaborate on matters of mutual interest to the neighborhood and BBA businesses. (In a reciprocal arrangement, Al Ellis serves as BWNA board member representative at BBA meetings.)
Amy had a sincere fondness for her job, as she explained upon her departure.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said I loved a job before, but I loved working for the BBA,” she said. “It’s my neighborhood, so I had a vested interest in making our events a success.”
As for her take on her replacement, Kathy Madore, at the helm, Amy is confident about Kathy’s ability to expand the reach of the BBA, and announced enthusiastically, “She’ll kill it!”
Kathy Madore takes the reins
A Boston native, Kathy is no stranger to the neighborhood—she and her family have lived in the area for 24 years, leaving only for a two-year stint in Montreal for her husband’s work. Her two kids, now ages 19 and 21, attended Alameda, Beaumont, and Grant schools. She knows the job brings challenges, but she’s looking only at the positive.
“I was drawn to the variety the role offers,” said Kathy. “I can do a great deal of work from the comfort of my home, but I also like being on the street meeting shopkeepers and getting the lowdown on what’s going on.”
With a professional background steeped in creative pursuits that include graphic design, four years at Wieden & Kennedy in advertising production and concept development, and five years as the volunteer newsletter producer for Beaumont Middle School, Kathy brings an array of talent to the district coordinator job.
“We’re very excited to have Kathy on board,” said Frazier. “The BBA board was most interested in finding someone to fill the district coordinator position who, like Amy, lives in the neighborhood and has established community relationships here.”
Prior to even posting the position, Kathy’s name came up, and early in hiring process she was interviewed and offered the job.
“Kathy is part of the neighborhood; her children attended school here, and she’s known here,” Frazier said. “Importantly, too,” Frazier added, “Kathy is very organized, and we believe she’ll add on to what Amy brought to us and take us where we want to go.”