NEWS

Chamber of Commerce names McDonald new president

Staff report
  • Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jennifer McDonald has been appointed president, starting Oct. 1.
  • Chamber President Cheri Hottinger announced a month ago she would resign after 12 years in the job.

NEWARK - The Licking County Chamber of Commerce board of directors announced Tuesday that Vice President Jennifer McDonald has been appointed to the position of president, starting Oct. 1.

Chamber President and CEO Cheri Hottinger announced a month ago she planned to resign. Hottinger, who served as president for 12 years, has taken a job at Park National Bank.

Jennifer McDonald, introducing an auction entry with Andrew Guanciale last year at the Rockin' Auction at Apple Tree Auction Center, has been named president of the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, starting Oct.1.

McDonald, who has been with the chamber 22 years, will be responsible for increasing chamber membership, administering marketing and benefits programs for members, advancing economic development initiatives throughout the county, and continuing as the voice of business advocacy, according to a chamber news release.

"I’m honored and excited about the opportunity the board has given me to continue to move the chamber forward," McDonald said. "We have dedicated people and great ideas that can keep the economic climate in Licking County growing for businesses of all types and sizes. I’m looking forward to the challenge, and to working with the rest of our talented and dedicated staff and board members."

A committee comprised of current and past chamber board members coordinated the search, which attracted candidates from across Ohio and elsewhere and resulted in unanimous support from the board for McDonald’s selection.

"The search went very well," said Dan McVey, chairman of the search committee and chairman of the chamber board. "We had qualified candidates with good ideas and enthusiasm, which gave us a strong group to select from. We chose the best of the best."

Committee member and past Chairman Patrick Guanciale said: "Her familiarity with the community and understanding of the area’s business dynamics were considerable assets. She’ll represent Licking County well."

McDonald has served on the staff of the chamber since 1994. She also serves on the school boards at Heath and the Career and Technology Education Centers of Licking County, and she is an officer of the Newark-Heath Rotary Club.