NORWICH – Sewain Conklin, current Chairman of the Development Chenango Corporation, has been selected to serve as the Interim President & CEO of Commerce Chenango, effective immediately. This action will assure that the management and oversight of the multiple business activities of the Chamber, Development Chenango Corporation, Chenango Foundation Inc., and the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency will continue to operate efficiently during the search for a new president and CEO.
Maureen P. Carpenter, president & CEO for the past four years, left the organization last week after accepting a position as economic development coordinator with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce. A search committee has been established that will work to fill the open position. They are: Betsey Baio, Jim Currie, Bruce Erath, Daryl Forsythe, Victoria Kappel, Luke Murphy, Scott Sutton, Tom Sutton, and Kevin Walsh.
Kevin Walsh, past board chairman, Commerce Chenango, said, “I am excited that these individuals have agreed to serve on this committee.  I have a great deal of confidence that the breadth of knowledge possessed by this group will result in the selection of a candidate that not only best fits the qualifications for the position, but the needs of Commerce Chenango’s membership base and Chenango County as a whole.”
Conklin was chosen due to his past experience as interim director in 2007 and his active role in serving on Chamber committees and boards. Walsh said he is confident Conklin will have a positive impact on the Chamber members and staff and will be supported by Commerce Chenango board members during this time of transition. The team has expressed their desire to have a permanent leader in place by early summer.