The First 50 Days as President & CEO

Dear Charlottesville Chamber Community,

Thank you for the warm welcome and support you have shown me since the announcement of my promotion to President & CEO in May. It has meant a lot to me.

It’s hard to believe I’m already 50 days into my first 100 days. These few weeks have been all about connecting with and hearing from you – our members, partners, and community stakeholders. Whether you’ve been with us 30 years or 30 days, your voice matters.

Membership growth and retention is another focus area for my first 100 days. We are steadily growing our membership, welcoming 53 new members between January and June. We’re proud to be moving in the right direction when it comes to member retention, an essential indicator of a thriving Chamber. We achieved an average retention rate of 86% during the first half of 2025, due in large part to the proactive engagement efforts of our new Membership Coordinator Zach Hall. I anticipate continued growth as we remain focused on delivering meaningful value for your membership investment.

Our two new networking events, Commerce & Coffee and Network at Noon, have also successfully engaged a new group of members while enhancing the visibility of our member hosts. Take a moment to view our Membership Matters infographic below for a snapshot of our member and staff achievements. It’s a simple illustration of the value we create together every day.

Looking ahead to the second half of my first 100 days, my focus is on three key priorities:

• Nurturing new and existing partnerships to ensure we're aligned with your business needs.
• Expanding Team Chamber to strengthen our capacity and better serve our members.
• Completing our new Investment Guide to help boost your brand and maximize your membership ROI.

Our mission remains steadfast: to be a convener, catalyst, and champion for the business community. We accomplish this through meaningful connections, impactful programming, and multi-level advocacy - advancing a thriving regional economy.

I am tremendously grateful for your continued investment in our Chamber. The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce is strong because of you. I look forward to working with you to build an even stronger future for our region.

With Gratitude,