Prince Rupert Chamber of Commerce finds right fit for Executive Director Post from within Board of Directors

The Prince Rupert and District Chamber of commerce
has announced their next Executive Director

The organization that represents Business in the community has brought their quest for a new Executive Director,  with the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce announcing today that David Geronazzo has accepted the post, with the Executive search reaching into the group's own Board of Directors.

The search began in mid August as they began to receive applications from their call for candidates.

In an information release from Chamber President Michael Gurney, outlined the success of their hiring search for a full-time Executive Director for the non-profit economic development organization.

“We are delighted to welcome David to the position of Executive Director.  Through his years of residence in Prince Rupert, he has worked with distinction in professional and volunteer settings through which he earned respect and advanced the economic interests of BC’s North Coast. His boundless capacity for strategic, analytical and energetic leadership will benefit all members of Prince Rupert’s business community.” -- Michael Gurney, President of the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce. 

Mr. Geronazzo, will bring a fairly vibrant resume with him to the Chamber offices on Third Avenue West, including a stint as a former member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, which required the candidate to recuse himself from that position in order to be considered alongside other applicants for the position of Executive Director.

The hiring announcement makes note of his educational experience as well as his recent work history in the region.

Mr. Geronazzo is a graduate of Okanagan College and also holds dual Masters degrees — in Global Management (Royal Roads University) and Business Administration (MCI Innsbruck). 

His thesis for the latter degree explored organizational decision-making during COVID 19.

He was previously employed as Director for the City of Prince Rupert’s Recreation and Community Services, and more recently had assumed responsibility for the Education, Training and Employment portfolio of the Gitxaała Nation. 

In addition to his new Chamber position,  Mr. Geronazzo will continue his role as a business instructor at Coast Mountain College.

He takes up his duties with the Chamber on the 15th of November.

In today's update from the Chamber, Mr. Gurney notes that the appointment today is the first in a series of steps to restore regular Chamber of Commerce operations and programming following a four-month pandemic hiatus. 

The President observing as to how the organization’s regular keynote luncheons, business roundtables and networking events have been interrupted by human resource challenges and COVID–19 restrictions.

Also noticeable in recent months has been a slowing down of the sharing of information and some of the initiatives of the past, something that should see a reboot as the new Executive Director takes on his work in the second half of the month.

Among some of his focus for the months ahead may be the Chamber's commitment of the summer to expand its work on reconciliation both at the provincial and the local community level.

For more notes related to the Business Sector see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.