FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2019
Kim Scheeler, president and CEO of ChamberRVA, announces planned retirement in 2020
Scheeler led chamber for 11 years and introduced and grew multiple impactful programs
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – Kim Scheeler, president and CEO of ChamberRVA, announced today his plans to retire on January 3, 2020, after what will be 11 years at the helm of the organization. During his tenure, Scheeler grew the chamber beyond a networking organization into a true regional changemaker with the mission of building a thriving regional community. He began numerous programs, such as the chamber’s FutureRVA initiative focusing on workforce development and regional growth, while expanding others, such as the chamber’s annual InterCity Visit, in which regional leaders travel to peer cities to bring back new ideas and best practices.
Scheeler’s planned departure gives the organization and its volunteers ten months to perform a national search for his successor. Pat Gottschalk, chair of the ChamberRVA board and partner at Williams Mullen, appointed a search committee chaired by Mark Hourigan, CEO of Hourigan and vice chair of ChamberRVA. The board has also retained the services of Jorgenson Consulting, a well-known national search firm that specializes in executive searches for chambers and economic development organizations. Jorgenson’s work will be led by Todd Jorgenson, managing director and principal of the firm.
“We greatly appreciate all that Kim has done for our organization and our community over the past decade plus,” said Gottschalk. “During his tenure, ChamberRVA has been engaged in many issues of critical importance to our community and has been a tireless cheerleader for the ‘coolness’ of current-day RVA. Although we will miss Kim and his leadership, we look forward to finding a successor who can continue the upward trajectory of ChamberRVA and build on the solid relationships that Kim has established over the years.”
Scheeler arrived in the Richmond community in the midst of the Great Recession, when his first order of business was to rightsize the organization for the forthcoming downturn in corporate and community support. During this period, he was instrumental in forming the Capital Region Collaborative and engaging the business community, government and nonprofits in collaborative efforts to achieve greater results with fewer resources.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with an incredible staff, an outstanding group of volunteers and some wonderful organizations to help move the region forward,” said Scheeler. “I have truly enjoyed the opportunities to make a difference in RVA and am excited to see where the chamber and the region go next.”
Scheeler has served on a number of local, regional and statewide boards and committees, including the Virginia Port Authority Board, the governor’s School Readiness Committee, the GO Virginia Region 4 Council, the Richmond Region Tourism Board of Directors, the Venture Richmond Executive Committee, the Activation Capital Activation Council, the Lead Virginia Board of Directors and the Smart Beginnings Board of Directors. Under his guidance, the chamber’s influential InterCity Visit has grown to over 200 people annually. His work with the Port of Virginia and the city has helped the Richmond Marine Terminal develop into an economic development engine for the region.
Prior to joining ChamberRVA, Scheeler was president and CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce for seven years. While there, he worked closely with the airport to expand international air service and the Port of Tampa to expand international business. He led several trade missions to Mexico in conjunction with the port and organized Tampa’s first trade mission to Panama in 2005 to explore opportunities created by the expansion of the canal. Scheeler served as president and chief professional officer for the United Way of Hillsborough County, Florida, and held positions with United Way in Indiana, Texas and Maryland before taking the reins of the Tampa Chamber.
In order to attract the most qualified and talented local and national applicants, the search process for ChamberRVA’s new leadership will be confidential. Anyone who is interested in applying or recommending an applicant is encouraged to contact Todd Jorgenson at chamberrva@jci-inc.net or 336-370-6360.
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About ChamberRVA: ChamberRVA is the chamber of commerce representing the entire greater Richmond region – one city, seven counties and one town – since 1867. The chamber’s mission is to build a thriving regional community by supporting the success of members, providing a strong business voice and developing RVA’s future leaders. Learn more about ChamberRVA at chamberrva.com.
Press contact: Leigh Rossi, leigh.rossi@chamberrva.com, 804-783-9312
