The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC will have a new leader for the first time in two decades.
Ryan C. Unger, president and CEO of the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, will become president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional chamber on July 1 replacing longtime leader, David Black.
“The combination of Ryan’s passion for the region, and his background in government advocacy, economic development, and community organizations, is a perfect match to lead the Chamber & CREDC,” Meron Yemane, chamber board chair and member of the search committee said in a press release. “We are grateful to Dave for his 20 years of faithful stewardship and service to our community. We are confident that Ryan will build on the momentum of Dave’s leadership and further advance the Chamber & CREDC as a catalyst for job creation, policy change and economic growth that not only enhances the quality of life in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties, but also makes our region inclusive and equitable for all.”
The search committee began a national search for a new leader at the start of the year with the assistance of Jorgenson Consulting, an executive search firm. The nationwide search generated 125 applications from across the country.
“Chambers are key connectors in our communities, and I’m excited to step into this role at a time when connection is vitally important,” Unger said. “I’m grateful to the business community for trusting me to lead this incredible organization, and I look forward to working with our inspiring members and board to continue building an organization where people feel comfortable coming to create meaningful change and tackle challenges. We’ll work to make sure everyone in our region is proud to call this home.”
Unger joined Team Pennsylvania in May 2011 as director of policy and programs, and was appointed president and CEO in December 2015. The chamber cited the success of a public-private partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture that was formed to support the commonwealth’s agricultural economic development efforts as one of the projects that took place during Unger’s time at Team Pennsylvania.
“The partnership produced a first-of-its-kind economic impact analysis that highlighted the agriculture industry’s $135 billion impact on Pennsylvania’s economy,” the chamber said. “This work helped secure over $30 million in public investment included in the 2019 “Pennsylvania Farm Bill,” which made Pennsylvania the first state in the nation with a bill dedicated to growth in agriculture.”
In his roles at Team Pennsylvania, Unger also assisted with the development of policy and state-level strategy documents and reports on topic ranging from Marcellus Shale development to manufacturing. Additionally, he led Team Pennsylvania in partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to publish research and a roadmap on “Leveraging Petrochemical Opportunities in Pennsylvania”.
Prior to joining Team Pennsylvania, Unger worked in regional economic and community development at SEDA-Council of Governments based in Lewisburg and the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce based in Shamokin Dam.
Unger currently serves on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association and the board of advisors for Harrisburg Young Professionals.
Unger graduated from Elizabethtown College and is currently president of its alumni association.
Black, the chamber’s current leader, joined the Chamber & CREDC in 2001.
“On behalf of CREDC (immediate past) Chair Ben Dunlap and myself, I want to thank Dave for his steady hand as steward of the ship,” Tom Sposito, the Harrisburg Regional chamber’s immediate past chair said in an announcement last year. “Dave was likely challenged more in 2020 than in any other year during his tenure. Over his nearly two decades of service, Dave has helped to guide and grow the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC as the go-to organization serving our business community and the region as a whole.”
Black will retire from the chamber at the end of next month.
“Every great region has a great organization, and the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC has been this region’s great organization since 1884,” Black said. “It has been my pleasure to serve for nearly 20 years. My goals have always included making a difference. Together with great volunteers, staff, supportive members and donors, this organization has done just that.
Source: Google News
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