(Posted March 18, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Last week, the board of directors of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce named David Kell as the Chamber’s new executive director.
Kell already serves as director of the Chamber’s economic development arm, Madison County Future Inc. Community Improvement Corp. (CIC). He now fills both the Chamber and the CIC lead roles.
“We are very excited to have David on board with the Chamber,” said Kathy Henry, Chamber board president. “He has done great things with Madison County Future Inc. and the CIC, and I think he will be a great addition to the Chamber staff.”
Kell replaces Bill Blazer, who resigned Dec. 31. Nicole Delsanter, who served as interim director, will continue to serve as associate director. The Chamber plans to hire an additional staff person to assist with office work, day-to-day operations, events and programs.
As for why he pursued the Chamber position, Kell said, “With what the Chamber does and what I do as director of the CIC, there are similar ties within the business community. In my mind, it made sense for me to throw my hat in the ring.”
Kell said he will develop opportunities to strengthen the Chamber and the benefits it provides to members.
“Bill did a good job growing the Chamber during his tenure. I thought I’d step in and grow the Chamber even more,” he said. “We want to show our members that we will be there for them as they grow their business in Madison County,”
Kell praised the boards of the Chamber and the CIC.
“Both are strong. We continue to head down the right path as a community because of their leadership. We also have great leadership on the public side,” he said.
Kell was hired as the CIC director in November 2013. Prior to that, he spent six years with the Greene County Department of Development, including time as director. He also served as a community development specialist in Lorain County. He holds a bachelor’s degree in planning, public policy and management from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in public administration from Wright State University.
