Chamber Board Names New President

The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce named current executive vice president Mark Yoder the new president of the organization on Thursday.

In a letter to chamber members, Chairman of the Executive Board, Scott Mayes said that Yoder has shown outstanding leadership over the three years he has served as vice president.

"The Executive Board’s complete confidence in Mark’s abilities and preparedness led to the decision to promote Mark from his current job as Executive Vice President. He will take on the duties of President held for seven years by Katie Walker Doherty, who recently announced her decision to accept a position with the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley," Mayes says in the letter.

Mayes goes on to say in the letter, "I would like to thank Katie for her years of dedicated leadership and service to the Chamber, and ask that you join me in congratulating Mark as he takes on the responsibilities of his new position as Chamber President on March 19, 2012."

Below is the full text of the letter:

I am pleased to announce that Mark J. Yoder has been promoted to become President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. The Executive Board’s complete confidence in Mark’s abilities and preparedness led to the decision to promote Mark from his current job as Executive Vice President. He will take on the duties of President held for seven years by Katie Walker Doherty, who recently announced her decision to accept a position with the YMCA of the Brandywine Valley.

Mark has provided outstanding leadership as Executive Vice President for more than three years, continually expanding sponsor participation in the Chamber’s most prominent local events including the Mars Drinks Old Fashioned Christmas Parade and Weekend, and the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium bike races. Mark has helped establish a broader partnership with the West Chester Area School District. This led to the creation of several new initiatives such as the Honor Roll Rewards Card program, in which student and family purchasing power is directly connected to Chamber member businesses. In addition, Mark founded FLOW, (Future Leaders of West Chester), the Chamber’s organization for young executives and entrepreneurs in our area. He has also been a valued member of the Chamber’s Ambassador and Marketing committees.

Before coming to the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce in 2009, Mark was employed in the sports marketing industry, working with leading institutions such as Walt Disney World, Lincoln Financial Group, and Genesco Sports Enterprises. Mark is married with two children and holds a marketing degree from New Mexico State University.

I would like to thank Katie for her years of dedicated leadership and service to the Chamber, and ask that you join me in congratulating Mark as he takes on the responsibilities of his new position as Chamber President on March 19, 2012.

Scott Mayes

Board of Directors, Chairman