On February 23, 2023, the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development was recently recognized by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio (CCEO) for its outstanding contributions to the community. The Chamber’s COO, Jodie Perry, was named Professional of the Year, and the Chamber received the Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award for organizations over 600 members.
CCEO recognizes their most professional and active peers each year with the prestigious Michael A. Schultz Professional of the Year award, the highest award of distinction that recognizes professional excellence – “the best of the best” – of chamber chief executives.
“Jodie establishes and maintains a broad and ambitious vision, while executing tactics with an exquisite attention to detail. Most importantly, she does this with an authentic leadership style, demonstrating empathy and genuinely caring about those around her,” said Chamber Board Chair, Jay Goyal.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award from my peers in the Chamber industry. In my 20 years working at four different Chambers, I have had the great opportunity to work with amazing people and be involved with impactful work. I’m so thankful,” replied Jodie Perry, CCE, IOM, CCEO-AP.
The Outstanding Chamber of the Year Award primarily focuses on acknowledging one or more significant achievements and accomplishments a chamber has initiated, stimulated and/or led in its respective service area during the past 18 months.
“The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development have a very aggressive and very achievable 3-year strategic plan with fostering economic strength, cultivating quality talent, and championing community excellence. Their strategic priorities are endless yet well calculated,” said CCEO Chief Operating Officer, Josh Torres, CCEO-AP2.
“Our team is so excited to receive the Chamber of the Year award, which recognizes the work we are doing for our community. From our full staff team to our members, volunteers, and board members, it takes all of us to accomplish these things, we share this award with everyone,” Jodie Perry.
For more than a century, the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development has supported economic development throughout the Mansfield, Ohio, and Richland County area and offered valuable benefits to its membership by supporting business growth and building a business-friendly climate in the Richland County area. In 2022 alone, the Chamber supported 56 businesses by awarding over $1 million in COVID grants for Food/Beverage, Tourism and Lodging in Richland County. The Chamber also supported the distribution of over $40 million in Richland County ARPA dollars, cleared the way for redevelopment of the Westinghouse A Building brownfield site, supported the countywide housing study, and contributed to many other projects.