Illinois Chamber Announces Todd Maisch as New CEO; Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce Announces New Executive Director; Arkansas Fellowship Program Aims to Attract, Keep Entrepreneurial Talent; Deadline in 4 Days; Michigan named an All★Vet State by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; Coggno Training Through the Flint & Genesee (Michigan) Chamber of Commerce

20-year Chamber Veteran Takes Illinois Chamber Reins July 1

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted today to appoint Todd C. Maisch the new CEO of the Illinois Chamber. His term will begin on July 1.

As executive vice president, Maisch oversees the Business Services Division, Government Affairs and the Membership and Marketing Department of the Illinois Chamber. Maisch also is responsible for the overall development and implementation of the Chamber’s government affairs program.

“I am honored to lead an institution I have been part of for the past 20 years,” said Maisch, 48. “I believe in the Chamber’s mission to serve as the unifying voice of the Illinois business community. And I am eager to build on the foundation of previous leaders who supported the success of our members and Illinois businesses.”

Current Illinois Chamber CEO Douglas L. Whitley, 64, announced his retirement in September 2013, effective June 30, 2014. At that time, the Board of Directors committed to a timeline that would allow three months of transition for the new CEO.

Source: Illinois Chamber of Commerce website
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Table Rock Lake (Missouri) Chamber of Commerce Announces New Executive Director; Long-time Area Businesswoman Sheila Thomas Accepts the Position

  
(Kimberling City, MO  3/ 11 /2014)  Following a search for a new executive director for the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce (TRL), the search committee announces it is filling the position with a long-time area businesswoman known for her professionalism and strength of positive personality.  Sheila Thomas, most recently serving as the executive director of the Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation, is accepting the new role. Thomas will join the TRL staff on April 7.

“We are very pleased that Sheila Thomas, with her background and connections, wants to do this job,” said Bob Cox, Search Committee Chair, TRL Boardman and owner of The Harbor on Indian Point. “Sheila is extremely skilled in areas of leadership and organizational development and has vast knowledge of the area.”    

Thomas, who was a project director for a Small Business Administration grant in Southwest Missouri prior to joining Ozarks Rivers Heritage Foundation, was also a real estate broker in the Tri-Lakes area for nearly two decades – making her very acquainted with all the different faces of the lakes area, from the large-scale resorts and businesses to the smaller family-owned operations. Read More: Table Rock Chamber

The Arkansas Fellowship seeks to keep our graduates and promising business leaders at home in Arkansas. Application deadline is March 24th

Lead by an executive director & non-profit board, The Arkansas Fellowship seeks to attract and retain Arkansas’s brightest entrepreneurial talent by partnering with the state’s leading universities and most ambitious companies. The Arkansas Fellowship offers a two-year fellowship program to a select group of graduating college seniors—focusing on developing the next generation of Arkansas’ entrepreneurs and business leaders. Read more: Arkansas Fellowship 
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Michigan named an All★Vet State by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

LANSING – Michigan is one of three states selected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes program to pilot its new All^★Vet States initiative, Governor Rick Snyder announced today at the Governor’s Economic Summit.
“This is an exciting program that recognizes the work we are doing to attract and retain veteran talent here in Michigan,” Snyder said. “The All^★Vet States initiative gives us a chance to highlight the incredible opportunities, services and support Michigan offers to attract and hire transitioning service members and military spouses.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes program is launching the new initiative with three states, Michigan, Iowa and Tennessee. Participating states will be featured on the Hiring our Heroes website, and each state will have its own webpage dedicated to identifying the resources and services available to veterans and military families. Read More: Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency

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Chamber Education: Coggno Training Through the Flint & Genesee (Michigan) Chamber of Commerce

(FLINT, Mich., March 11, 2014) — Build a more productive and skilled workforce with business training opportunities through the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has expanded its business training offerings to include Coggno online training courses.
“We’re excited to offer these affordable training resources to our members and the business community in Flint & Genesee,” said Tim Herman, Chamber CEO. “Our partnership with Coggno enables us to assist local businesses in developing their greatest asset – their people.” Read More: Flint & Genesee Chamber