WILL ROBERTS - Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA)
"In my life, it is God, my family, my friends (some of who are family), and I would lay my own life down for any of them." - Will
“We are so privileged to have Will Roberts as part of the Coffee with Champions family. He is a great example of being a Force for Good, both professionally and personally (just read his responses below).
Will has gone above and beyond to support our Coffee with Champions program. We are extremely blessed to have his support, knowledge, and humor in our weekly Champions groups.”
Lance Miller - Co-founder of Coffee with Champions
Where do you work, Will?
Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) as the Relationship Manager
Tell us a little more about your work?
The Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance was founded in 1993 by five Dayton area chambers of commerce as a small employer healthcare alliance. Today, SOCA works directly with 130 chambers, primarily in southwest Ohio. Through our partnership network of statewide organizations, SOCA indirectly serves 278 of Ohio's 315 Chambers of Commerce.
Our primary business element is the SOCA Benefit Plan, a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) that provides healthcare through the Anthem Blue Cross / Blue Sheild network, allowing small businesses, between 2 and 50 employees, and sole proprietors to receive high-quality healthcare at a cost that is easily 20% - 25% less than standard healthcare premium rates.
The SOCA Benefit Plan serves nearly 9,000 Ohio-based businesses, giving coverage to more than 58,000 employees, and when family plans are included, this plan aids over 100,000 lives. It is easily the largest plan of its kind in Ohio. It is Anthem’s largest piece of small business healthcare, and based on sources from across the United States, the SOCA Benefit Plan is the largest small employer health plan in the country.
Beyond healthcare, SOCA and its chamber partners offer over a dozen programs that help to save hundreds, even thousands of dollars for businesses, from Worker's Compensation rating to merchant services, energy costs, shipping, payroll, 401K, Human Resources, and more.
Through all of these programs, our mission is simple, to deliver value through your local Chamber of Commerce to save you money, improve the lives of your employees, cultivate relationships between our value partners, brokers, and the chambers, and drive membership and non-dues revenue into the local Chambers.
If I were to use three words to describe SOCA, they would be;
Adaptive
Responsive
Trustworthy
What’s one thing you want people to know about you?
I would like people to know that I am a family man.
In my life, it is God, my family, my friends (some of who are family), and I would lay my own life down for any of them.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
There are two, and these are words of advice that I received prior to my time at Wright State in the mid-80s, and I really do not recall who they came from.
The first, and something we have all heard... don't sweat the small stuff.
We only have so much that we can actually control, and at times, it is best to take a step back and hand everything over to God. Do what you can do today and allow the pieces to fall into place tomorrow.
The second is a saying that really focuses on the rat race of life, and it is, "if you can't run with the big dogs, go sit on the porch".
I had a professor at WSU falling all over himself as I shared this one day in class (no, I don't recall the details of the discussion). He took this as a profound statement and spent the next two days reviewing it in class.
Ultimately, there are times when our lives are in a full sprint. Sometimes you win the race, other times you don't. The key is to know when it is your time to lead the pack (be the big dog) and to know when someone else has the skill set to manage the situation, making it your time to sit on the porch.
As for how these two simple pieces of advice have helped shape me, they remind me that when I am hitting the wall, stop, take a breath, and reevaluate the situation.
What is the real importance of what I am doing?
Is it worth the sweat? Am I leading the pack, or should I let someone else take the reins?
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
My superpower isn't a could have; it's an I do have; it's the gift of gab.
There is a running joke amongst our SOCA staff that it takes Will five minutes just to say hello. The SOCA staff often refer to me as the mayor (my friends call me Senator), as I am constantly shaking hands, kissing babies, and doing what I can to solve the world's problems.
If you could recommend a book, resource, or podcast, what would it be?
I am a Chamber nerd, and I really enjoyed Chris Mead's book, "The Magicians of Main Street"” It's a book on the history of the Chambers of Commerce in America, beginning in 1768 (yes, predating the independence of the United States) and taking us through 1945.
Tell us about your family.
Family - Boy, did I get lucky!
I met and began dating my wife (Melissa) in 1981 as a freshman at Tippecanoe High School (Class of '85). It seemed like we both knew early on that it was meant to be.
We were married in 1989, and we welcomed our first son (Justin) into our lives in 1993. Brandon was born in 1996, and our special son, Caleb, was born in 2000.
Both Justin (Ashley) and Brandon (Caitie) are married now and living close to home. Melissa and I get to enjoy time with our grandson Caden (3 years old) and all of his shenanigans.
Melissa and I, along with Caleb, live in Tipp City.
Justin, Ashley, and Caden live about three minutes north of us in Troy, while Brandon and Caitie (along with our grand pups Kona and Deisel) split the difference and live between us in Monroe Township.
Do you have any interesting hobbies or fun facts about yourself?
Oh, I'm sure that, depending on who you talk to, you might get all kinds of fun stories. I will share this event that recently had an impact on my life.
I am a general sports fan, and I grew up on baseball, football, and anything else I could wiggle my way into. On September 27th, I was granted the honor of throwing out the first pitch at a Cleveland Guardians game.
Yes, I did get the ball to the plate, and better yet, it was a strike! And though, at the time, it did not seem like a big deal, the response I received from the fans, the players, and even the mascots made it a fun fact that I will never forget.
Where do you attend Coffee with Champions?
I am blessed. I have participated in Coffee with Champions through the Vandalia-Butler Chamber, the Troy Area Chamber, and even the inaugural Coffee with Champions on October 2nd with the Springboro Chamber... Watch out Beavercreek and Springfield, I'll be popping in soon. :)
How long have you attended Coffee with Champions?
Off and on for about 6, maybe 8 months. I attend as my schedule allows. Sometimes twice a week, sometimes not at all. And when it's a not-at-all week, I truly miss the camaraderie, engagement, interaction, and time to learn from my peers.
What are some words you would use to describe the Champions program?
For me, Coffee with Champions is so much more than what many chambers see in their networking groups, and I was one of those executives leading the First Friday Coffee, Lunch and Learn, or After-Hours charge for the membership.
The excitement of getting to pick up the agenda for this week's discussion, listening to Lance (in his blue shirt) share the message for the day (and, oh, by the way, Lance, I really think Jessica should do a few of these - just to keep everyone on their toes) and then diving into wherever the conversation may lead.
It invigorates me, and I have grown personally and professionally. I am a better person because of these programs.
What has been your most MEMORABLE workshop at CwC?
The discussion that I continue to work on is that of listening and listening with intent. I know I am one of those who will jump in without listening to all the details.
I am slowly working myself into being a better listener for myself and all of those I interact with.
Is there anything else you wish to add?
Whew - I'm about worn out, but did I mention I have the gift of gab. :)
Thank you, Will, for being a Force for Good. You are making an incredible impact everywhere you go.
Lance Miller