Chamber Board of Directors Hires New Chamber President, Stephen Christian
October 26, 2017
CHAMBERSBURG, PA - The Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Stephen Christian as president of the Chamber and executive director of Chambersburg Area Development Corp. The appointment was made after an extensive nationwide search led by the executive search firm Waverly Partners.
Christian spent the last decade focusing on economic and community development along the I-81 corridor in the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valley region. In his role as executive director of the Berkeley County Development Authority, he more than doubled the organization’s staff and budget in nine years and was instrumental in working on the project that landed the Procter & Gamble $500 million multi-category facility in West Virginia.
“I am excited for this marvelous opportunity to continue economic and community development in the region I’ve come to know and love so much,” said Christian. “The Chambersburg Chamber is an amazing organization that is extremely well-run, and I’m proud to join the talented and capable staff. I look forward to getting to know all of our members to best serve their business needs and inspire a prosperous local economy.”
Christian’s professional career of 30 years includes experience not only in economic development, but also in real estate, government, sales and marketing. He was most recently recognized by the National Association of Secretaries of State for Achievement in Business Development at an award ceremony on October 25, and was also named one of the Top Ten Most Influential Leaders in West Virginia in 2015. He has served on the boards of Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, Western Potomac Economic Partnership, West Virginia Economic Development Council and Region 9 Planning and Development Council, among involvement with other business and community organizations.
Troy Garman, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, said, “Steve’s extensive knowledge of the region, experience in economic development and understanding of a variety of business industries will be a tremendous asset to our organization and community. The board of directors looks forward to a prosperous future for the Chamber and its affiliate organizations under his leadership.”
Christian is a native of Huntington, W.Va. He is an alumnus of Syracuse University, where he earned his bachelor of science in marketing, and the University of Oklahoma, where he studied at the Economic Development Institute for his graduate degree. He has two children, a son and a daughter, who are both currently attending college.
Christian will begin in his new role at the Chamber on October 30. “I’m ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of our area and hit the ground running to continue the progress and growth that is central to Chambersburg’s success,” Christian said.
ABOUT THE CHAMBER
Since 1911, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce has been an advocate for the local economic health of the community through the support of its programs and affiliate organizations. The Chamber fosters business, economic and community growth through proactive leadership in the greater Chambersburg area. By supporting member businesses and the community, the Chamber strives to enhance the quality of life in the Chambersburg area. For more information, visit www.chambersburg.org.
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Christian spent the last decade focusing on economic and community development along the I-81 corridor in the Cumberland and Shenandoah Valley region. In his role as executive director of the Berkeley County Development Authority, he more than doubled the organization’s staff and budget in nine years and was instrumental in working on the project that landed the Procter & Gamble $500 million multi-category facility in West Virginia.
“I am excited for this marvelous opportunity to continue economic and community development in the region I’ve come to know and love so much,” said Christian. “The Chambersburg Chamber is an amazing organization that is extremely well-run, and I’m proud to join the talented and capable staff. I look forward to getting to know all of our members to best serve their business needs and inspire a prosperous local economy.”
Christian’s professional career of 30 years includes experience not only in economic development, but also in real estate, government, sales and marketing. He was most recently recognized by the National Association of Secretaries of State for Achievement in Business Development at an award ceremony on October 25, and was also named one of the Top Ten Most Influential Leaders in West Virginia in 2015. He has served on the boards of Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, Western Potomac Economic Partnership, West Virginia Economic Development Council and Region 9 Planning and Development Council, among involvement with other business and community organizations.
Troy Garman, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, said, “Steve’s extensive knowledge of the region, experience in economic development and understanding of a variety of business industries will be a tremendous asset to our organization and community. The board of directors looks forward to a prosperous future for the Chamber and its affiliate organizations under his leadership.”
Christian is a native of Huntington, W.Va. He is an alumnus of Syracuse University, where he earned his bachelor of science in marketing, and the University of Oklahoma, where he studied at the Economic Development Institute for his graduate degree. He has two children, a son and a daughter, who are both currently attending college.
Christian will begin in his new role at the Chamber on October 30. “I’m ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of our area and hit the ground running to continue the progress and growth that is central to Chambersburg’s success,” Christian said.
ABOUT THE CHAMBER
Since 1911, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce has been an advocate for the local economic health of the community through the support of its programs and affiliate organizations. The Chamber fosters business, economic and community growth through proactive leadership in the greater Chambersburg area. By supporting member businesses and the community, the Chamber strives to enhance the quality of life in the Chambersburg area. For more information, visit www.chambersburg.org.
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Contact:
Amy Weibley, Communications Director
aweibley@chambersburg.org, (717) 264-7101
