100 Years Forward
Building the Future of Your Business, Our Community
By Matt Beardmore
Kids could ride their bikes anywhere, everyone knew their neighbors, and downtown was the spot to be
for shopping and Friday night pizza. That was the small, rural town where Chasity Savage spent most of
her childhood.
Savage understands that Ithaca, Michigan, is different than Deerfield, Bannockburn, and Riverwoods, but
she envisions these suburban communities having that same feel where kids are playing outside instead of
staring at video game screens, residents are supporting local shops instead of large online retailers,
and young professionals are starting their careers and their families instead of moving away.
Since taking over as executive director of the Deerfield Bannockburn Riverwoods (DBR) Chamber of
Commerce last year, Savage has been dedicated – just as the DBR Chamber has been for the last 100
years – to strengthening these communities by serving businesses and local residents.
With nearly two decades of experience advancing organizational goals and building community
relationships, Savage joined the DBR Chamber in June 2024, replacing Vicki Street, who served as the
organization’s executive director for 25 years. “Vicki did a ton to get this chamber to
where it is today,” Savage said.
Savage appreciates her predecessor’s contributions and how the chamber has grown over the last
quarter of a century, and she has her sights set on the chamber’s future.
“My vision is that we end up a lot more community-based, meaning we have working groups and
community members that are at the ‘helm’ of organizing our events, big or small,”
Savage said. “For example, we have a group of folks that will help build our golf outing and
holiday lunch. I’d love for folks to be more involved with our monthly networkers breakfast. I
also want to start a women’s networking group again, and we are in desperate need of a young
professionals group.”
Some of Savage’s other 2025 goals include overhauling governing policies and the chamber’s
employee handbook, updating internal systems (financial, document, IT), increasing the frequency and
variety of webinars offered and growing the chamber’s Ambassador program.
Savage admits that “some days are tough,” as the entire DBR Chamber staff is comprised of
herself and Business Development Representative Leslie Bush, but Savage has no shortage of energy,
enthusiasm and a love for “building bridges and connecting businesses to resources.”
“Chasity has been outstanding from Day 1,” said Newell F. Bentley III, Senior Vice
President, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, and a member of the DBR Chamber’s Board of
Directors since 2019. “She absolutely blew our minds with how prepared and enthusiastic she was
about this position from interview to today. Chasity has brought a fresh perspective to how the
chamber can be operated and positioned within the community. Chasity’s energy is exactly what
the chamber needs to take us to the next level with the businesses and community.”
Chris Thomas, Director Membership at Ravinia Green Country Club, a DBR Board member from 2022-2024,
said he understands the growing pains that can come with leadership change, but he is encouraged by the
chamber’s direction under Savage’s leadership.
“She is bright-eyed and not afraid to implement new ideas and new systems and poke holes in the
ways things have been done in the past,” Thomas said. “It’s starting to take shape,
but it’s difficult because she’s down a person – there’s enough work for 3-4
people in terms of planning and executing. Chasity, though, does a good job of relying on her committees
and board members and other folks who are part of the chamber.”
To ensure that businesses of all sizes – from locally-owned shops to Fortune 500 companies
– are being supported, Savage has made increasing the amount of communication and strengthening
the chamber’s relationships with local government officials in Deerfield, Bannockburn, and
Riverwoods one of her top priorities.
“The Village of Deerfield and the DBR Chamber have a strong, collaborative partnership that plays
a crucial role in economic development,” said Andrew Lichterman, the Village of
Deerfield’s deputy village manager/director of community development. “While the village
does not have a dedicated economic development department, the DBR Chamber helps fill that gap by
leading business outreach efforts, including retention and attraction initiatives. Whether fostering
growth in the downtown district or along the Lake Cook Road corridor, the chamber’s efforts help
sustain a vibrant business community and strengthen Deerfield’s economic landscape.”
“As the needs of businesses constantly shift – whether due to economic trends, consumer
behavior, or technological advancements – the chamber has a unique opportunity to be a proactive
resource, helping businesses navigate both challenges and growth opportunities,” he added.
Savage is encouraged by the momentum that is building – she said last year’s annual holiday
lunch had an increase of 15 sponsors from the year before – but she also wants to “take the
time to reset the chamber’s foundation.” “We’re going to do a survey of what our
constituents want and need from us,” Savage said. “If we take a total pivot from what I
envision, that’s fine. We want to be more community-based and have constant communication –
it’s not just me and my voice.”
While the chamber continues to learn from and adapt to the community’s needs, Savage is excited
to roll out a number of events and updates to help celebrate the DBR Chamber’s century of service
in 2025.
“We’ll infuse the 100-year celebration all year long, starting with a rebrand of the
chamber’s colors and logo, eventually a website overhaul, and the community guide is getting an
updated look and feel,” Savage said. “Our golf outing and annual fundraiser on June 16 at
Ravinia Green Country Club is adding a pickleball tournament, our Health Expo on October 11 at the Patty
Turner Center is now for all ages, and our year-end holiday lunch will be a bigger year-end celebration
of the 100 years.”
“I’m excited about this year and where the chamber is heading.”
To learn more about upcoming DBR Chamber events and the benefits of chamber membership, please
visit https://www.dbrchamber.com.
Shop Local
An Introduction to Deerfield & Bannockburn
By the Deerfield Chamber of Commerce (1944)
Credit: The Deerfield Book
From the Archives
Did You Know?
In the late 1920s, the Deerfield Chamber of Commerce was the largest donor for the organization of
Deerfield’s first public library with a gift of $1,250.
— May 6, 1948 newspaper clipping
Then and Now
1925 2025
Chamber of Commerce Just getting started! Founded to support local shops. Celebrating
100 years of service, innovation & connection.
Top Business Types General stores, barber shops, blacksmiths Tech firms, healthcare
providers, restaurants, consultants
Price of a Stamp 2 cents 68 cents
Most Popular Way to Advertise Word of mouth & newspaper ads Social media,
e-newsletters, and Google reviews
Shopping Style In-store only In-store, online, curbside, and local delivery
Payment Method Cash, checks Cards, mobile wallets, tap-to-pay, & even crypto
Average Home Price $6,000 Around $600,000 (Deerfield area)
Work Culture 6-day workweeks, 9-to-5 jobs Flexible hours, remote/hybrid, co-working
spaces
Business Tools Ledger books, rotary phones CRMs, cloud apps, AI, smartphones
Coffee Price 15 cents a cup $5–$7 for your favorite latte
Local Entertainment Radio shows & community dances Concerts, food fests, and streaming
everything
Map Navigation Paper maps & asking directions GPS, apps, and AI-powered travel
guides
Chamber Events Networking dinners & ribbon cuttings Webinars, mentoring, worksprints,
lunch & learns
From the Archives
