The Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce will be under new leadership very soon. After an extensive search and unanimous Board approval, Mike Mancuso will take over as President and CEO of the Chamber on Monday, February 5th.
“The chamber set out on the search looking for a person who could make a big impact. Mike is highly analytical and very high energy, a big picture thinker with plenty of strategic planning experience. His economic development background aligns well with our vision for the community”, stated Board Chair, Eric Brownlee.
Immediate Past Chair, Corina Knott agreed, “Mike is eager, dynamic, and personable. I think he is going to hit the ground running from day one. I am confident our members will see early on that he will be a strong advocate and voice for them in our community.” Both Knott and Brownlee served on the six-person Search Committee.
Originally hailing from Sharon, Pennsylvania, Mike has devoted the last 4 years of his 30-year career to the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center, Inc. in Salem, Ohio as the Executive Director. He created valuable connections and services for businesses, paved the way for new development by negotiating with government agencies, and boosted local employment and the tax base by attracting and supporting businesses.
Mike brings strategic nonprofit management, economic development, and extensive experience in the corporate world to the Smithfield-Selma Chamber, as well as hands-on knowhow as an entrepreneur both managing and starting small businesses.
During his 17 years in banking, Mike provided financial planning and lending leadership to businesses, as a Vice President in charge of Retail Sales and Service. Prior to his career in banking, Mike built and grew a family-owned pest control company as General Manager. And in the last few years, he started a company specializing in classic car photography and marketing that services the car show industry.
Mike shared, “I’m extremely excited and honored to be selected to lead the chamber into the future, the opportunities available to the area are enormous and we need to make sure that each and every business makes the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce their ‘Must-Have Resource’.”
In addition to being active professionally, Mike is also involved in the community, including serving on a tri-county Workforce Development Board, in leadership or founding roles with the Lions Club, Jaycees, OH-PA Export Steering Committee at Kent State University, and the Downtown Salem Partnership. When not championing the needs of businesses, Mike enjoys classic cars and trucks, winemaking, travel, and photography. He is married with 3 grown children and 3 energetic grandsons, all residing in the South.
Knott finished, “Our Chamber is starting a new chapter and the goal is to be a strong voice for our membership. We wanted our next leader to understand this and Mike will be the voice we need.”
Brownlee added, “Let’s be ready to roll up our sleeves and make a difference.”
The Smithfield-Selma Chamber will host an Open House on Tuesday, February 27th at 5:30pm to welcome the new President and CEO to the community.
