Shenango Valley Chamber Seeks Executive Director

SHARON, Pa. – For the second time in less than two years, the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new executive director.

Olivia “Libbi” Brown, who joined the chamber as its executive director in April 2021, has accepted a position as assistant director of career development at Thiel College in Greenville.

“It was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up,” Brown said in an email.

Brown was hired following the departure of Sherris Moreira, who left the chamber in late 2020 to take a position with OhanaLink Technologies. Moreira was hired earlier this year by the city of Sharon as its director of downtown development.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for Libbi and her family, and the continuing of an upward trajectory for her career,” said David Grande, president of the chamber board of directors. “She made several quality connections at the chamber… One of those connections sought her out and she was fortunate enough to be chosen to join a great organization like Thiel.”

Grande said the chamber was grateful for Brown and what she accomplished during her tenure. Those accomplishments included a redesign of the chamber’s website, and a simplification and reworking of its membership tiers to permit “an a la carte-type benefits menu option” for members.  

Additionally, the chamber resumed in-person events that had been halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted by the first combined annual dinner and Phoenix Business Recognition Awards in November 2021. A new Ambassador Program was created in early 2022 with a goal of adding new volunteers and “champions” of the chamber as an extension of its board of directors.  

The chamber has advertised the opening, primarily on Indeed.com, and had about 15 qualified candidates apply, Grande said.

According to the job description, the executive will be responsible for management of current, and creation of, new business and operational plans to achieve strategic goals. The full-time position will pay upwards of $40,000.

The first round of interviews is underway, focusing on six preliminary candidates.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the plan is to have an executive director in place sometime after Dec. 1 and likely before the end of the year, he said. In the meantime, the chamber’s staff and board will be working to finalize this year’s annual dinner/Phoenix Awards event scheduled for Nov. 3.  

“Our committees remain engaged and will be pressing forward on initiatives and planning for early 2023,” he added.

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