40 Under 40: Brian Gerau, chamber of commerce executive director

Brian Gerau

AGE: 35

FAMILY: Wife Sara, son Jackson and daughter Brooke

EMPLOYER: Jackson Chamber of Commerce

POSITION: Executive director

COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT:

United Way board of directors; Junior Achievement board of directors; Jackson Rotary Club; New McKendree United Methodist Church; United Methodist Men and Men's Fraternity.

HIS TYPICAL DAY:

Meeting with new and old businesses in the Jackson and Cape Girardeau area along with developing community events and meeting potential businesses coming to the area.

MOST SATISFYING THING ABOUT HIS WORK:

Meeting the needs of the chamber members.

HIS WORST HAIRCUT:

I've had the same hair cut since I was young -- I guess that could be considered bad!

HIS FAVORITE SONG FROM THE '80s

"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell

HIS BIGGEST FIRST-DAY BLOOPER:

I was attending my first Business Breakfast with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and wore a pink floral tie and a pink pocket square with pink glass cufflinks. When I walked into the event, held at a bowling alley, you could hear crickets! Little overdressed for this breakfast.

HIS MOST EMBARASSING WORK MOMENT:

I used the third floor, official, no unauthorized personnel allowed bathroom of the president of Boone County National Bank. I was advised to use the one on my floor, but this one had music and was spacious!