The board of directors of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce on May 12 named longtime regional business advocate and economic development professional Tori J.E. Riley as president and CEO of the organization.
Riley is the first female president and CEO in the Chamber’s 102-year history. She previously served the ARCC as program management director from 2004-2008.
Riley returns to the Chamber after more than three years as vice president and economic development specialist with the Saratoga Economic Development Corp., where she was part of a team that helped attract and retain thousands of jobs and encourage millions of dollars in new capital investment in the county.
Prior to that she served five years as president of the Washington County Local Development Corp., preceded by four years with the ARCC, and 12 years in the employment industry with Park Personnel Services, Inc.
“I think we hit a home run,” said Thomas G. Albrecht Sr., ARCC board chairman. “We had more than 100 applicants, and Tori rose to the top based on her passion for our mission, her deep relationships and respect among our regional business and government communities, and her spirit of collaboration, which is so important for a regional chamber. She has the business acumen, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial energy to truly make a difference.”
ARCC Interim President & CEO George Ferone, who served on the executive search committee, said, “When you consider Tori’s tremendous expertise in helping businesses grow and thrive, and combine it with her incredible passion for our region, you have someone who is ideally suited to lead the ARCC into the future. Tori is well prepared to move the organization forward in a positive way, and to position the ARCC to meet the needs of our members and be the decisive voice of business in our region.”
“I am so thankful for the opportunity to lead this organization,” said Riley. “I had the privilege of serving the ARCC nearly a decade ago and saw first-hand the many ways in which it helps its members grow and thrive. The ultimate success of any chamber comes from the success of its members, and I’m looking forward to discovering new ways that we can be of even greater service to them.”
“Through my work with SEDC and the Washington County LDC, I have built a deep knowledge and understanding of the resources and programs available on the local, state and federal levels to help businesses succeed and grow,” she said. “I’m also a big believer in collaboration, and look forward to partnering with other organizations, both public and private, to advance the growth of our region’s economy.”
A native of Fort Edward, Riley and her husband, Kevin, live in Fort Ann. She is a member of the board of directors of Fort Hudson Health Systems in Fort Edward and sits on the Lake George/Lake Champlain Regional Planning Board Revolving Loan Committee. She is a 20-year member of VFW Post 2475 in Glens Falls, and volunteers and advocates on behalf of veterans and senior citizens.