Cedar Rapids Area Chamber CEO leaving for post in Wisconsin

The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will lose its CEO at the end of this year to Wisconsin's second largest chamber of commerce.

Shannon Meyer announced her resignation Monday, Dec. 6, after two years as top executive of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, according to a letter issued by chamber board Chair Chuck Peters. She has accepted the president/CEO position of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Wisconsin, the letter said.

Peters commended Meyers as an outstanding leader whose experience led to enhanced membership programming, increased collaborative partnerships and stronger legislative advocacy.

“Shannon was hired for her strong background in Chamber work and experience with business advocacy,” wrote Peters, CEO of SourceMedia Group. “The experience has proved invaluable as we have begun the transition from flood-recovery to a community poised for economic growth.”

Calls to Meyer were not immediately returned. Although she came to Cedar Rapids from the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce in Florida, her new assignment will take her closer to her original home in northwestern Wisconsin.

Fox Cities Area Chamber of Commerce Chair Jim Rankin said Meyer ”brings a solid understanding of the Chamber as well aseconomic development, public policy, and membership development.”

“She displayed tremendous enthusiasm and impressed our Board and the many volunteers and community leaders who have had a chance to meet her. She has the skills necessary to lead a business organization like our Chamber.”

A position description posted by the Fox Cities chamber said the organization was seeking a candidate with 10-plus years experience as a successful business leader and the proven ability to manage budgets in excess of $2 million and a staff of 15-plus. Other qualifications sought a successful record for engaging, partnering and building alliances, political savvy, and economic development experience.

Meyer was only 33 and one of the youngest chamber presidents in Cedar Rapids history when she accepted the position in October 2008, four months after the record Cedar River flood.

The chamber took a leading role in seeking and administering federal and state flood recovery funds for businesses. Meyer was active in national efforts to educate chambers of commerce about disaster recovery.

Before joining the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Meyer was leader of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Peters said he learned of the resignation Monday afternoon. He plans to work with Nancy Kasparek, incoming chair, on an interim transition plan for chamber leadership and then seek guidance from the chamber's board of directors on the creation of a search committee.

The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has nearly 1,300 members, a $1.3 million budget and a staff of 12 excludiing the regional economic development agency Priority 1. The Fox Cities Chamber has 1,500 members.

Meyer's last day at the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce will be Dec. 31.