According to the most recent issue of Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter, The Current, its board of directors has appointed a search and selection committee made up of board members and community leaders to assist in its selection of a new president & CEO.
“We are moving forward with a search and selection process, not simply a replacement strategy,” said Dr. Cathy Subber, 2013 chair-elect of the board of directors. “The Chamber is going to take the time to figure out where we want to be in a few years and then determine the skills, qualifications and characteristics of the leader who will take us there.”
The search and selection committee will host an open membership forum from 7:30AM to 9AM on Wed., July 18, at Cafe N Play, 1767 W. Ogden Avenue, to provide individuals with an opportunity to contribute their opinions on the long-term vision, mission and role the Chamber plays.
“The Chamber is all about our members and we welcome their ideas on how we can better serve the community,” said Subber in the Chamber story.
The board is fully confident in the Chamber’s interim leadership and staff, allowing the search and selection committee to take the necessary time to diligently complete their work.
“There is a great deal of comfort with the current leadership and staff at the Chamber. We have an aggressive schedule of programming and services this summer,” noted 2012 chairman Shane Beard. “While the board, membership and community engage in this dialogue, the Chamber will continue to run at full speed.”
The search and selection committee will convene in July to begin its work and use the input received through the membership forum and numerous individual meetings within the community. In late July the committee will formally post the position, including a job description, qualifications and resume submission procedures.
The members of the search and selection committee are Nicki Anderson; Shane Beard, FASTSIGNS; Don Emery, ProfitLink; Ray Kinney, Minuteman Press; Debra Lellbach, Lellbach Builders; Ray McGury, Naperville Park District; Charles McLimans, Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry; Tom Miers, Naperville Bank and Trust; Chris Michalski, BMO Harris Bank and Dr. Cathy Subber, Advanced Health Naperville, Naperville Moms Network and Cafe N Play.
The Chamber’s goal is to announce a selection before the Thanksgiving holiday. The committee will post a formal job description, begin accepting resumes and start the interview process within a few weeks.
It has always been PN’s view that membership in a local chamber of commerce most likely will bolster a business’s image among consumers, as well as providing connections with other businesses. Membership creates positive perceptions among fellow chamber members from consumer awareness and reputation to patronage and support. Leadership has always been key to build member and community confidence, even during challenging economic times.
For more information about the Chamber’s leadership transition, contact chairman Shane Beard at shane.beard@fastsigns.com or interim president & CEO Tami Andrew at tandrew@naperville.net.
