Berta Maginniss, formerly from the Washington D.C. area, but currently a resident of Arlington, has been named to the post following a wideranging search for a successor to Jay Hathaway. She will start work at the chamber on Dec. 14.
Her appointment concludes a search for a new executive director that involved candidates from across the northeast, according to a prepared statement released Wednesday by the chamber.
"We are extremely fortunate to have attracted such a talented leader as our new executive director," said David Citron, the president of the chamber's board of directors. "Berta is a seasoned executive, having been in the senior management of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, recognized as one of the most successful chambers in the country, since 1995."
Maginniss and her husband, Scoop, an auctioneer and real estate broker, have owned property in the area since 2002, according to the chamber's statement.
She plans to spend the next 60 days "listening" as she gets acquainted with the organization's members and other community leaders in the 18 towns that make up the region the where the chamber is represented by member businesses, Citron said.
Getting to know the region and its membership will be her biggest priority at the outset, Maginniss said.
"I think being new to the community ...
Prior to accepting the position as the new executive director of the Chamber, Maginnis spent 12 years working for the Washington Board of Trade - seven of which she spent serving as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Before that she had spent more than 20 years working for the Walt Disney Company in a variety of roles, which included serving on the Management Training Team "Opening Crew" at Euro Disney in Paris and as Director of Community Relations for the Disney's America project.
It was her past experience that caused her to apply for the position.
"I had been in the chamber business for a long period of time and came to Vermont full time just in the middle of September and like everyone in this community was shocked to learn of Jay Hathaway's passing away. I offered my services," she said.
Though Maginnis sees marketing as an essential part of the chamber's role within the community because of the attractions, tourism, and hospitality and resort businesses, there are other aspects which she deems very important as well.
"I think you're always looking at the general business climate for your businesses and the community affairs of a region; things that affect it throughout the marketplace," she said.
Citron said he appreciated the efforts put in by the members of the chamber's search committee and the chamber's team that managed the transition period between Maginniss's appointment and the unexpected passing of her predecessor, Jay Hathaway, in September.
"I would like to thank the members of our Search Committee, Lou Maguire, Paula Maynard, Cindy Gubb, Gordon Black, Pat Barnett, John Lapointe and John Cueman as well as our Executive Committee for the time and effort that they put into the hiring process." added Citron. "I would also like to thank Beth Meachem and the rest of the Chamber staff for their continuing hard work and dedication during this period of transition."
Font Resize
