Gloucester Alumni

Sam Carter
Gloucester Daily Times

Steve Kaity says he'll have some big shoes to fill next year.

As the first vice president of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Kaity's excited to work with this year's chamber president, Ruth Pino. But he's also concerned that when he leads the 25-member chamber board of directors next year, he won't have the vivacity to keep up with Pino's legacy.

"I've worked with Ruth in a number of other committees. She's a real dynamo," he said.
His fellow chamber officers agree that Pino, of Gloucester, is an energetic and invigorating leader.
"She's got tremendous energy and a great positive attitude," said Robert Gillis, the chamber's chairman of the board and last year's president. "She's top notch."
"Her strong personality is good," Second Vice President Todd Tanger said. "She'll be good at getting everyone on the same page."
But Pino doesn't think her energetic composure is that big a deal.
"I guess it's in my makeup," she said. "I can't stop moving."
In the past 35 years, Pino has worked as a School Committee and City Council stenographer, as the first clerk of committees for City Council, and worked her way up through the real estate industry, starting in 1981. She is now the branch executive for Carlson GMAC Real Estate in Gloucester.
Pino's term as president of the chamber began Jan. 1, there will be an official inauguration Jan. 27 at the chamber's 85th annual dinner-dance.
Pino said she's excited to be president during the 85th year of the chamber, especially at a time when Cape Ann businesses and industries are striving to meet the needs of area consumers.
"For 85 years the chamber has grown," Pino said. "People forget it's the chamber that's been behind (the area's) development."
She pointed out that new structures being erected in downtown Gloucester, such as the cruise ship terminal, as well as the initiation of last year's Home and Garden and Holiday Gift and Trade shows, were coordinated through the chamber.
Pino emphasizes that its own growth in membership and the ability to provide its members with a convenient advertising medium is due to the chamber's visibility.
"My vision is in making sure our members and the public see us as the fabric of the community," she said.
"The chamber coordinates the New Fish Festival. The chamber organizes the Waterfront Festival. For 85 years (the chamber) has marketed Cape Ann," she added.
"It's a benchmark of 85 years for the chamber," Kaity said. "We've been around for a long time and are almost 1,200 members strong. I definitely feel the chamber can continue for another 85 years."
Kaity said the root challenges facing the chamber are the same today as they were when it formed.
"The names might change, the businesses might change, but the chamber and its goals always stay the same," he said.
"The fabric of the chamber weaves itself into the community," added Pino.
Pino's involvement in the Cape Ann community extends beyond the Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Gloucester Rotary Club and will be its president in 2009; was a founding member and past president of the Gloucester chapter of Business Network International; is a member of the Gloucester Housing Coalition; and is an incorporator of Cape Ann Savings Bank.
Until Sacred Heart Church closed in 2004, Pino served as president of its Women's Guild and was involved with its Parish Council.
In 2004, Pino was named the Chamber of Commerce's Ambassador of the Year.
Gillis described his year as president as the busiest of the four years he has been an officer. He said Pino has the "tremendous energy and great positive attitude" needed for the job.
"I think you'll find (in Pino) those characteristics you'd associate with being an effective leader," said Michael Costello, the chamber's executive director. "She follows up on ideas by rolling up her sleeves and just doing it."
Pino's personal philosophy matches the legacy she's built for herself: "If you don't make a difference, then what's the point? I want to be somebody who's remembered for having accomplished something."
The 85th annual dinner-dance will be held Jan. 27 at the Tavern on the Harbor in Gloucester. Tickets cost $85 per person and can be reserved by calling the Chamber of Commerce office at 978-283-1601.

About Ruth Pino
* Who: 2007 president of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the state's eighth largest chamber.
* Professional associations:
Manager of Carlson GMAC Real Estate in Gloucester
Gloucester Rotary Club, board of directors
Business Network International, founding member and past president of the Gloucester chapter
National, Massachusetts, and North Shore Associations of Realtors
* Community associations:
Member of the Gloucester Housing Coalition
Incorporator, Cape Ann Savings Bank
Active member of Sacred Heart Church until its closing in 2004, on its Parish Council and served as president of its Women's Guild
* Family:
Married to Richard Pino for 38 years
Two children
Three grandchildren