Chamber appoints new director

KING OF PRUSSIA >> The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has appointed a new executive director to lead the membership organization.

Ryan Rosembaum started in his new position Oct. 15, succeeding Kathy Brandon, who retired in July.

“We are pleased to have Ryan aboard and feel his strong background in leading membership-based organizations and his high energy will bring a new dynamic to the chamber and we are excited about this opportunity,” Karen Zajick, president of the Board of Governors of the Montco Chamber of Commerce said in a press release.

Prior to joining the chamber, which he said has about 400 members representing a wide range of businesses in Montgomery County, Rosenbaum was executive director of the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

“This has sort of been the bailiwick of my career — working with membership organizations to make sure we are providing value to members and strategically in line with boards to assure missions are accomplished,” he said in a recent interview. Rosenbaum has also served as executive director of Bucks-Mont NARI (a chapter of the national remodeling association); JHI, an international accounting association and director of media and membership for the Bucks County Association of REALTORS.

While it is still early in Rosenbaum’s tenure, he said he has already set several goals.

“My ultimate goal in this position is to make sure the value of membership matches the value received,” he said, adding that he looks to grow membership in the organization by 5 to 10 percent every year.

Rosenbaum also said that an “ambitious” calendar is being established for 2018 that will include at least one networking event each month, “which provides our members with the opportunity to meet with each other in a social atmosphere.”

The chamber also offers a Business Builders Club that meets weekly, as well as four major signature events: a golf outing, business expo, gala and a new fall event currently being developed for October 2019.

“We have also launched a lunch and learn series — eight oppor-

tunities through the year where people can get together for lunch — but also features a special speaker with information of interest to business owners,” he said.

Rosenbaum added that he wants to be as available to as many members as possible.

“I want to be the mouthpiece and chief ambassador for what people are doing in the area, and to be the

best advocate that a business owner in Montgomery County can ask for,” he said.

He acknowledges that there are some challenges for the chamber, which in addition to Rosenbaum, has two part-time staff members.

“One challenge is to do as much as possible with a limited budget. It’s a challenge that faces any non-profit — doing the most with limited means,” he said.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1912 and serves a geographic area that includes “Fort Washington to Valley Forge, Conshohocken to Collegeville,” according to the chamber’s website. Many of the organization’s members are in the King of Prussia area, Rosenbaum added.

“Our members include small businesses that rely on us to be a source to help them, but we also have some major members — large corporations, the hotel industry and restaurants — and the great skill we have is to help each of them,” he said.

Rosenbaum said he

wants to have an open door policy for any chamber members that want to discuss the organization’s programs.

“Any member that has a great idea that will better their fellow partners and community, we invite them to reach out, we’re always open to new ideas. We’re here to work for them,” he said.

Rosenbaum grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and lives in Horsham with his wife, Pamela and their two children. He earned his undergraduate degree in broadcasting from Temple

University. He earned his Global MBA from Arcadia University. He serves on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Society of Association Executives and is a member of the membership committee.

“Any member that has a great idea that will better their fellow partners and community, we invite them to reach out, we’re always open to new ideas. We’re here to work for them.” — Ryan Rosenbaum, executive director, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

SUBMITTED RYAN ROSENBAUM