Lorain County Chamber of Commerce
Chief Executive Officer
Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, Elyria, Ohio, us, 44036
Overview
The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce (“the Chamber”) is seeking a visionary leader to become its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Along with an influential Board, a strong staff, and committed volunteers, the Chamber regularly convenes with leaders from the private and public sectors to lead Lorain County’s growth and influence within the Northeast Ohio region. Reflective of its impact and originality for its events, The Chamber won “Event of the Year” in 2023 for the “I’M HERE" campaign handed out by NOACC (Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce).
Anthony (Tony) Gallo has served as the Chamber’s President & Chief Executive Officer since 2014 and prior to that he was Director of Business Development since 2003. He has decided to retire at the end of 2025. The Board of Directors is embarking on a search to recruit a new President & CEO who will guide the Chamber and its refreshed strategic plan into the future.
The President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) reports to a 24-member Board of Directors, which includes a 7-member Executive Committee. The CEO leads a full-time staff of 2 people and a budget of approximately $500,000. In 2024, the Chamber finished its first Strategic Plan in over 20 years to help shape the legacy of Lorain County and the Chamber as we move forward toward 2040. The four pillars of the Strategic Plan revolve around
Engagement, Impact, Partnerships and Development
of our members, our community, and our region. The CEO interacts with business executives, employees, representatives of other public and private sector partnership organizations, education officials from preK-16, members of the media, and the public at large. The CEO is the top executive and administrative officer of the Chamber, with primary responsibilities including planning, directing, and controlling all activities of the Chamber to achieve its goals and objectives. The CEO is expected to provide leadership and direction that creates a high level of enthusiasm, expectancy, and momentum among the membership, Chamber staff, and Lorain County business community. Duties Strategic Planning and Implementation: At the direction of the Board, the President/CEO creates and implements the strategic plan for the Chamber. Members Services and Sales: The President/CEO is responsible for the overall performance of the Chamber’s membership activities including membership acquisition, stewardship, and retention. Program Management: The President/CEO oversees and assesses the line-up, schedule, design, implementation, budget, and structure for the Chamber’s programs and events. Local/Regional/State Collaboration: The President/CEO is responsible for the Chamber’s supportive role in community and economic development including business retention/expansion, infrastructure, workforce/education, health and safety, civic innovation, and regional collaboration with other economic and community development organizations. Public Policy: The President/CEO represents the Chamber on various public policy issues at local, state, and federal levels, which requires developing platforms, messaging, advocacy channels, and strategic relationships. Finance and Accounting: The President/CEO ensures the Chamber establishes and follows generally accepted accounting and financial practices to ensure organizational safety and soundness, achieve budget targets, sustain operations, and grow capacity for new initiatives. Public Relations/Outreach: The President/CEO is responsible for creating and maintaining a dynamic and forward-thinking public image for the organization, including strategies for marketing, communications, media relations, community relations, and public speaking. Fundraising: The President/CEO is responsible for philanthropic relations, donor engagement, grant writing, and program growth. Skills Strategic vision with extensive and nuanced skills to drive change management, mission fulfillment, and operational outcomes. Highly developed interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Broad knowledge of industry acumen, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Strong understanding of the political landscape for change and collaboration with civic leadership and partner organizations. Demonstrated skills in human resource development, team building, and performance management. Adept at coalition building, relationship management, and negotiating complex agreements. Exceptional communication skills both in writing and orally with members, potential members, elected officials, outside organizations, media outlets, and the Board of Directors. Possesses and demonstrates high standards of integrity, work ethic, trustworthiness, and personal responsibility. The ideal candidate must have a proven track record of success and may come from a variety of backgrounds such as currently serving as the top executive within a progressive and effective comparably sized chamber, economic development or related significant business association; experience as a #2 or other senior-level executive at a larger like enterprise as noted above; or an executive from a complex private or public sector entity or nonprofit organization. Strong preference will be given to leaders who have had experience in a dynamic and growing diverse business market and community. The successful candidate will bring a sense of business urgency to the role and elevate the visibility and functioning of the organization. This executive must demonstrate collaboration, innovative thinking, and excellent communication skills. A bachelor’s degree is preferred in a relevant field. A minimum of 10 years of experience in executive management and leadership positions within the private, public, or nonprofit sectors demonstrating progressively greater responsibility is required. This is an outstanding opportunity for a chamber of commerce, membership association, economic development or private sector executive to lead and grow a successful chamber organization in a growing regional community that is racially and economically diverse with businesses ranging from manufacturing, healthcare, IT, to rural/agricultural and everything in between. Job Type:
Full-time Work Location:
In person
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Engagement, Impact, Partnerships and Development
of our members, our community, and our region. The CEO interacts with business executives, employees, representatives of other public and private sector partnership organizations, education officials from preK-16, members of the media, and the public at large. The CEO is the top executive and administrative officer of the Chamber, with primary responsibilities including planning, directing, and controlling all activities of the Chamber to achieve its goals and objectives. The CEO is expected to provide leadership and direction that creates a high level of enthusiasm, expectancy, and momentum among the membership, Chamber staff, and Lorain County business community. Duties Strategic Planning and Implementation: At the direction of the Board, the President/CEO creates and implements the strategic plan for the Chamber. Members Services and Sales: The President/CEO is responsible for the overall performance of the Chamber’s membership activities including membership acquisition, stewardship, and retention. Program Management: The President/CEO oversees and assesses the line-up, schedule, design, implementation, budget, and structure for the Chamber’s programs and events. Local/Regional/State Collaboration: The President/CEO is responsible for the Chamber’s supportive role in community and economic development including business retention/expansion, infrastructure, workforce/education, health and safety, civic innovation, and regional collaboration with other economic and community development organizations. Public Policy: The President/CEO represents the Chamber on various public policy issues at local, state, and federal levels, which requires developing platforms, messaging, advocacy channels, and strategic relationships. Finance and Accounting: The President/CEO ensures the Chamber establishes and follows generally accepted accounting and financial practices to ensure organizational safety and soundness, achieve budget targets, sustain operations, and grow capacity for new initiatives. Public Relations/Outreach: The President/CEO is responsible for creating and maintaining a dynamic and forward-thinking public image for the organization, including strategies for marketing, communications, media relations, community relations, and public speaking. Fundraising: The President/CEO is responsible for philanthropic relations, donor engagement, grant writing, and program growth. Skills Strategic vision with extensive and nuanced skills to drive change management, mission fulfillment, and operational outcomes. Highly developed interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Broad knowledge of industry acumen, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Strong understanding of the political landscape for change and collaboration with civic leadership and partner organizations. Demonstrated skills in human resource development, team building, and performance management. Adept at coalition building, relationship management, and negotiating complex agreements. Exceptional communication skills both in writing and orally with members, potential members, elected officials, outside organizations, media outlets, and the Board of Directors. Possesses and demonstrates high standards of integrity, work ethic, trustworthiness, and personal responsibility. The ideal candidate must have a proven track record of success and may come from a variety of backgrounds such as currently serving as the top executive within a progressive and effective comparably sized chamber, economic development or related significant business association; experience as a #2 or other senior-level executive at a larger like enterprise as noted above; or an executive from a complex private or public sector entity or nonprofit organization. Strong preference will be given to leaders who have had experience in a dynamic and growing diverse business market and community. The successful candidate will bring a sense of business urgency to the role and elevate the visibility and functioning of the organization. This executive must demonstrate collaboration, innovative thinking, and excellent communication skills. A bachelor’s degree is preferred in a relevant field. A minimum of 10 years of experience in executive management and leadership positions within the private, public, or nonprofit sectors demonstrating progressively greater responsibility is required. This is an outstanding opportunity for a chamber of commerce, membership association, economic development or private sector executive to lead and grow a successful chamber organization in a growing regional community that is racially and economically diverse with businesses ranging from manufacturing, healthcare, IT, to rural/agricultural and everything in between. Job Type:
Full-time Work Location:
In person
#J-18808-Ljbffr