Sports have been an important part of Marlyn Kissner's life, so much so that she was awarded a scholarship to Kutztown University to participate in track and field. A career in coaching seemed like the perfect fit.

"I'm a big believer in: you see, you believe, you achieve," she said.Sports taught Kissner how to be competitive and a degree in education taught her how to teach others. Now, she uses those skills and a master's degree in business to coach businesses to success.Kissner is the executive director of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp."I love what I do and I love where I live," she said about living in Carbon County. "I want to win for our county."She began her work with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce nine years ago. GLVCC is the parent group of the Carbon chamber.Kissner said her success is due, in part, to her mother's example of a woman succeeding on her own. She also credits her boss, Tony Iannelli, president of the GLVCC, with helping her grow as a leader."I wouldn't be so successful if I didn't have such a great coach. He taught me how to take care of your community and your people," she said. "He's tough, but he's really good and always challenged me to new heights."Kissner said that Iannelli stepped up when state funding slowed for the downtown revitalization program, and the GLVCC adopted its own called the Borough Business Revitalization Program."Tony Iannelli has been the visionary for the region," she said. "Through the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, we can get funding for Main Street."The funding can be for beautification projects, facade improvements or other projects."We saw that need and we've been able to give back to our community," she said.Kissner said she envisions the Carbon chamber as a one-stop shop for businesses needing assistance whether it's low-cost marketing or funding for an improvement project. Whatever the problem, she never lets a challenge deter her from finding a solution."Every challenge is an opportunity," she said. "What is the solution to the problem? I always have to think that way."Kissner doesn't waste her time worrying about a problem."The energy goes toward being part of the solution," she said.Kissner thinks Carbon County is on the cusp of great things. Every month, the chamber holds five to 10 activities including multiple grand openings of new businesses. Helping people fulfill their dream of having their own business and connecting them with people who can help make it a reality is one of the things she finds the most rewarding about her job."I love to connect people, then I know I've done my job," she said.One of those connections is with Wilkes University. Kissner said the school has a program to teach budding entrepreneurs what they need to know to start a business. The program is free, but there is a fee for the books.After they complete the program, the chamber helps them find financing and a storefront, assists in creating marketing materials and plans for a grand opening."I love to help with solutions," she said.