Richard Scully

"The Builder’s Journey: From Tree Forts to Tech Innovation"

In the office of Richard Scully, CEO of Chamber Nation, sits a weathered wooded board - A relic from his very first construction project: a tree fort built when he was eight years old.

Fifty years after its construction, Scully returned to that tree and found the structure still holding firm. The board, now a permanent fixture in his professional space, tells a story of evolution. It is riddled with small, thin nails—the best an eight-year-old could do—alongside the larger, sturdier nails added later to secure the platform. For Scully, this board is more than a memento; it is a testament to his nature as a builder and a reminder that while even a small "nail" can start a project, it takes persistence and stronger reinforcements to see a vision through to completion.

A Career Forged in Resilience

Unlike those who climb a straight corporate ladder, Richard Scully’s path was forged through obstacles, economic shifts, and personal loss. His early professional years led him to the heart of Silicon Valley, where he focused on people logistics. He was on the cusp of launching the industry's first internet-based Contingent Workforce management system—a venture that reached $85 million in sales—only to see it vanish overnight due to a leadership transition outside his control.

The Turning Point

Faced with the collapse of his tech career, Scully chose family over a traditional job offer. He moved to Quincy, California, to raise his infant son with the help of his family. Returning to his roots, he began building "spec" houses alongside his father. However, tragedy struck when his father was killed in an automobile accident. It was the most profound hit Scully had ever experienced, testing his resolve to continue building.

The Genesis of Chamber Nation

The inspiration for Chamber Nation came from an unlikely source: a local radio interview. Scully heard a Chamber of Commerce executive describing the struggle to operate on a limited budget. He realized that while Chambers viewed local commerce as a collective, they lacked the tools to promote individual members effectively.

Scully saw a void and set out to fill it. Starting with just two small Chambers and a partnership with a determined executive in Goodyear, Arizona, he proved that his model could not only survive but thrive.

Building the Future

Today, Richard Scully views every Chamber of Commerce that joins Chamber Nation as a new "nail" in a grander structure. His journey from an eight-year-old builder to a CEO reflects a lifelong commitment to construction—not just of buildings, but of systems, businesses, and communities.