The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce and its board of directors has named Melissa Vance for the position of President and CEO. This announcement comes following the resignation of former President, Phil D’Amico, in January.
Vance, a Wayne County native and graduate of Centerville High School, holds a business degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her background includes significant accomplishments in business development, marketing and public relations. Before joining the Chamber staff as Director of Education and Programs, she was the Events & Communications Coordinator at Reid Health Foundation where she established a grant program realizing $1.4 million in revenue through federal, state and private foundations. During her first two months in that role, she led the BRAvo! Signature Event to see the highest dollar amount ever raised through a Reid Event with a 78% profit margin. She also was the Director of Marketing & Business Development for Fayette Regional Health System, managing an operating budget of over $800,000, department employees and more than 100 Auxiliary volunteers.
As the Director of Education & Programs for the Chamber, Vance worked with four of the Chamber’s six committees as the staff lead. Under her leadership, the Agribusiness Committee was able to re-launch the successful and much anticipated annual Farm Tour. The event has now hosted hundreds of attendees in Greens Fork, Dublin and Hagerstown, educating the community on emerging technology and the importance of agriculture to the Wayne County economy. The Business & Education Committee developed and implemented the High School Senior Job Fairs in 2017; the Buy Local Committee began Wayne County Weekends and the Buy Local Certified Program; and the Awards, Celebrations and Events Committee saw record numbers in attendance and dollars raised through events such as the Annual Dinner, Community Improvement Awards, Chamber Golf Classic and Taste of Wayne County/Business Expo.
Vance currently serves on the Board of Directors for Center City Development Corporation and was a previous board member for Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Communities in Schools, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and others.
“With Melissa’s leadership, the Chamber will continue to be a great community resource for Wayne County businesses,” Elzemeyer said.