Liz Summer, SESLOC’s SVP of Business Services, has been a leader serving her community for decades. She has worked with organizations that reflect her core values and passions, including her faith, children, the arts, those in need or grieving and the growth of healthcare, and will now be making her mark on the business community as the 2023 Chamber Board Chair. We sat down with Liz to connect with her on life, her goals for this year and her time as a community leader on the Central Coast.
Who would play you in a movie of your life?
It’s a toss up between Kathy Bates and Lauren Bacall.
It’s been more than 20 years since you arrived on the Central Coast — what brought you here?
My husband was hired in the mid 1990s as co-anchor of the evening news at KSBY. We made the decision to leave the large metropolitan area of Tampa Bay to move to a smaller community to raise our three children.
Some people might not know this about you, but you began your career as a TV anchor. What was your biggest blooper on live television?
When anchoring the early morning news in the 1980s, I had to be at the station by 5:00 a.m. each morning. One summer evening, there were big sailboat races on Lake Superior. Despite my typically disciplined schedule, my friends encouraged me to celebrate the boats arriving in the evening on the last day of the race. The next thing I knew, my phone was ringing at 5:30 a.m. and the morning engineer asked if I was coming to work. After my first newscast, my mother called and asked me what in the world happened to me and why I anchored in the same clothes as the day before. Safe to say, I didn’t listen to my “friends” after that!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
Our three children and their families.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
It’s not what you say to someone, it is how you make them feel.
What gets you excited about going to work each day?
I love working with businesses and finding ways to help streamline their banking needs or helping them secure financing to grow their operations. Owning and operating a business is 24/7 and I respect the blood, sweat and many tears business owners and leaders provide to deliver products and services. It’s not for the faint of heart.
What do you do to unwind?
I wish I could say something like “spend time reading the classics”. In reality, it’s more like watching old episodes of Law & Order or Dr. Pimple Popper.
Any favorite pastimes?
I love flowers and making flower arrangements. Give me a baby shower or a big event and I’ll make all your centerpieces!. Do I always know the name of the flowers or follow a pattern? That would be a no. But I do know what looks good.
As the 2023 SLO Chamber Board Chair, what are you hoping to focus on?
The Covid-19 pandemic changed the status quo for many businesses and their employees. As businesses’ needs have changed, I am excited to ensure we stay relevant in programming and services and dive into what we need to do to better serve local businesses, our community and this region.