Humphries Returns as Chamber CEO and President

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s board of directors has named Tom Humphries as the organization’s president and CEO and Vito Abruzzino as vice president of defense programs.

Humphries returns to the position he held from 1997 to 2017 before his retirement. He had served as transition CEO since December when the board decided against renewing the contract of James Dignan – Humphries’ replacement who took the top job Jan. 1, 2018.

“We are pleased that Tom has agreed to return as president and CEO. He has a longtime, proven track record of success with the chamber and we look forward to his continued leadership,” said Don Kline, chairman of the board of directors, in a statement.

Abruzzino, a licensed attorney, served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as a special assistant U.S. attorney. He has been director of the chamber’s Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission since 2015. The commission focuss on developing Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna Township and Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in Ravenna.

As a part-time consultant with EOMAC, Abruzzino led the effort that saw both installations receive millions of federal dollars. For three years in a row, YARS’ economic impact has increased – now to $108 million – after years of decreases.

“With the potential to bring new, modern aircraft to YARS and have the aerial spray mission expanded, as well as the potential for Camp Garfield to house an East Coast missile defense system, the time is right to build on the momentum we have already created,” Humphries said.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.