Faces and Places

FACES AND PLACES

The Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named LYDIA A. ARANDA its new president & CEO. She was previously the interim president and chief development officer of the chamber and its bi-national affiliates in Douglas, Nogales and Sierra Vista. Prior to that, along with several years as regional vice president of diverse growth segments for Wells Fargo, Aranda served two Arizona governors, first as Gov. Janet Napolitano’s small-business advocate and director of small business for Arizona Department of Commerce, then as co-chair of Gov. Jan Brewer’s Governor’s Latino Advisory Council.

AMBER BATCHELOR was named president of the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce (Fla.). She succeeds BETH MITCHELL who retired after leading the chamber for more than 18 years. Batchelor was previously membership development manager for the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce (Va.).

Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce (Ala.) promoted Executive Vice President ANNA B. BUCKALEW, IOM, to president & CEO. She succeeds RANDALL L. GEORGE, CECD, and currently serves on the board of directors of ACCE’s Foundation.

The O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce and Industries (Mo.) appointed KATHY DUCK as its new president & CEO. Duck previously served as executive director of small business for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma.

Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce (Mo.) named BLAKE FRY. Most recently, he was president of the Hudson Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau (Wis.).

Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce (Fla.) named ERIC GODET, SR., president & CEO. Godet previously chaired the chamber’s public policy committee as a member of the organization’s board of directors. He also served as chairman of the Council for Economic Outreach in 2009 and chairman of the chamber’s board of directors in 2010.

The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce (Minn.) named ELAINE HANSEN its new president. She succeeds SANDY FORSTNER who retired after leading the chamber for over 18 years. Hansen was previously senior development coordinator for Gerard Academy.

The Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce (Mich.) named SARAH HAGEN president. Most recently, Hagen was manager of the 1918 Cellars Tasting Room at Castle Farms and has been an active volunteer and member of the Charlevoix Main Street Promotions Committee, which she has chaired since 2017.

The Habersham Chamber of Commerce (Ga.) named MARY BETH HORTON president. Horton was previously the Clarkesville economic development director with the Clarkesville Downtown Development Authority.

MEGHAN HUNSCHER was named president of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce (N.J.). She previously served as executive director of the Morris County Economic Development Corporation, a division of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce (N.Y.) named MAUREEN MCGUINNESS president. She was previously the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s economic advancement and member relations manager.

The Fayette Chamber of Commerce (Ga.) named COLIN T. MARTIN president & CEO. He previously led the Harris County Chamber of Commerce in Georgia.

The Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce (S.C.) named DAVID MERHIB president & CEO. Merhib was previously president & CEO of the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce in South Dakota.

The Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce (S.C.) promoted MURPHY MONK to president. She had been the chamber’s membership development coordinator.

The Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce (S.C.) named REYNE MOORE president. Previously, Moore, a Boeing Commercial Airplanes alumna, held the CEO seat of Bull Block Advisory. Moore was also selected as an honoree for the 2018 class of The State’s 20 Under 40, which recognizes influential young leaders in South Carolina.

THERESA M PINTO, IOM, was named executive director of the Lake City Columbia County Chamber of Commerce (Fla.). She has more than 25 years of experience in chamber, consulting and management roles, including leading chambers in Rocky Mount, N.C., Laurinburg, N.C. and Laconia, N.H.

BRET SCHANZENBACH was named CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce (Calif.). Schanzenbach succeeded Ted Owen who retired after 15 years at the chamber. Schanzenbach previously led the Vista Chamber of Commerce.

ROBERT SCHLACTER is the new president & CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce (Mass.). He succeeds SUSANNE MORREALE LEEBER, who retired after leading the chamber for 27 years. Schlacter most recently served as vice president of business development and executive consultant at Transition Solutions.

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce (Mo.) named TOBIAS (TOBY) TEETER as its new president. Teeter succeeds ROB O’BRIAN, CECD, who retired after serving as president for 23 years. Formerly an attorney and registered lobbyist, Teeter transitioned into an entrepreneur, starting and running small firms as well investing in several tech start-ups.

MIKE THRONE was named president & CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce (Ohio). Throne succeeds RANDY DAVIES who retired. Throne had previously spent 21 years as editor of the Chillicothe Gazette.

STAN WITHEROW was named president of the Albertville Chamber of Commerce (Ala.). He was previously district manager for Stage Stores, a parent company of Goody’s/Peebles.

LISA SORIN was named president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce (N.Y.). She was previously executive director for the Westchester Square Business Improvement District.

The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce (S.D.) named HEATHER VOLL as its new president. Voll was previously the events and convention services coordinator for the Williston Convention and Visitors Bureau.