NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Barely three months after bringing on a new CEO, Forward Lawrence is once again looking to fill the role.

In a news release issued Wednesday, Forward Lawrence, Lawrence County’s chamber of commerce and economic development organization, announced that CEO Chip Abramovic would be leaving “to pursue other professional opportunities.” 

Abramovic was named Forward Lawrence’s new CEO in late 2025, stepping down as a Venango County commissioner to take the role. He succeeded Ben Bush, who left Forward Lawrence last fall after being hired as vice president of public affairs by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Bush had been hired by Forward Lawrence as CEO in May 2023.  

“On behalf of the board of directors, we thank Chip for his contributions to Forward Lawrence and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” Len Rich, president of the board of directors of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, one of Forward Lawrence’s component organizations, and chairman of Forward Lawrence’s board, said in the emailed announcement. “While we are sorry to see him leave, we appreciate his efforts on behalf of the organization and the relationships he has built throughout the community.

In response to a follow-up email, Rich said Abramovic is “deeply rooted in western Pennsylvania’s economic landscape” and described his decision to move on as “simply the next logical step in his career portfolio.” 

While not at liberty to announce Abramovic’s new position, Rich said Forward Lawrence appreciated “the limited time he spent as Forward Lawrence’s CEO” and was confident “his future endeavors will align with the regional growth we all want to see.”

In a text message, Abramovic referred comments regarding his new job to the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners, specifically Commissioner Dan Kennedy, who serves on the Forward Lawrence board, who had not responded to requests to comment by time of publication.  

“We wish him nothing but the best and are focused on finding a leader who can build upon the foundation currently in place,” Rich said.

Pictured at top: Chip Abramovic.