Chris Kershner named to lead Dayton chamber

The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce has named Chris Kershner as its new president, effective on Phil Parker’s retirement this summer, the chamber announced Wednesday.

“Chris is a steady, proven leader in the Dayton region, and has a vision for the chamber’s future that will further elevate the organization and the way it serves its members,” Jennifer Harrison, 2020 chair of the chamber board, said in a statement. “During this difficult time for our member businesses and community, Chris will not only bring consistent leadership as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is no one better to guide the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce into the next era.”

“I congratulate our board of trustees on the outstanding decision to name Chris Kershner to lead our 113-year-old chamber of commerce into the future,” said Parker, current chamber president and chief executive.

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Kershner is well known to the Dayton community, having worked with the chamber since 2005.

“Kershner’s leadership expanded the chamber’s reputation as a powerful voice for business by creating innovative new programs and taking forward-looking positions on policies at the local, state, and federal levels,” the chamber said in its announcement.

“As the Dayton area business community evolves, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce evolves. Dayton area employers sacrifice and dedicate their lives to their companies and their future. It has been an honor to support our business community since 2005, and I’m humbled to walk alongside all of our region’s employers in this new position,” Kershner said.

Last year, Parker announced plans to retire effective July 31 after 31 years with the chamber, which represents about 2,200 businesses and organizations in a nine-county area surrounding Dayton.

Parker has long been a regular voice in Dayton-area business affairs, playing a role — with other community players — in addressing the repair of of Interstate 75’s ‘malfunction junction’ in downtown Dayton, state tax policies and an array of other initiatives.

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