Schuyler Chamber Announces New President

The Search Committee of the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Chamber President/CEO, Crystal Ricks, IOM.Following an extensive 13 hour interview conducted by the Search Committee, the Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber membership, Chamber staff, community leaders and elected officials; it was the unanimous decision of the Search Committee to offer the position to Ms. Ricks. The decision was based on the positive input and feedback from all involved in the interview. She will begin her employment with the Chamber by October 1, 2008.“We are absolutely confident that Crystal’s leadership will lead the Chamber to new and broader horizons,” said Rick Stelzer, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “Her energy, enthusiasm, passion and commitment to Chamber work is refreshing, and will provide the basis for building a robust and successful Chamber of Commerce from our existing strong foundation,” he added.Crystal will be relocating to Schuyler County from Childersburg, Alabama. There she owns and manages a successful communications company, where she and her team are responsible for developing advertising strategies, marketing concepts, and public relations campaigns. Her direct Chamber of Commerce experience includes a two year consultant position with the Childersburg Chamber of Commerce and a three year position as Executive Director of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce in Sylacauga, Alabama. She is a recent graduate of the United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management (IOM) and has decided upon a professional career path in Chamber management and leadership.“With the support of the staff, community, our partners, and Chamber membership; we are convinced that Crystal has the leadership qualities we are seeking in a President/CEO- qualities that will result in positioning our Chamber for continued growth and prosperity,” Stelzer said.