Faces and Places

The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance (Iowa) named Juliet Abdel, CCE, IOM, president and CEO. Abdel comes to the Economic Alliance from the Greater Topeka Partnership (Kan.), where she was president of the Greater Topeka Chamber and senior vice president of the Partnership.

Valerie Byrnes was named president of the Independence Chamber of Commerce (Mo.). She succeeds Tom Lesnak, who retired after serving the chamber for the past 18 years. Byrnes is a former economic development professional and most recently owned and operated a retail business in St. Joseph, Michigan.

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce (Va.) promoted Andrea Copeland, IOM, to be the organization’s president and CEO. She joined the chamber in 2012 as director of member education services, serving most recently as chief operating officer and interim CEO.

The Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (Fla.) named Michael Dalby, CCE, president and CEO. He succeeds Sue Dick who retired after 30 years of service. Dalby, who was most recently assistant vice president for Innovation, Commercialization and Economic Development at the University of Texas at El Paso, has previously led chambers of commerce in Naples, Florida and Columbus, Ohio. He begins his new position in early October.

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce (Fla.) has named Sarah Firstenberger as its new CEO. She previously served as director of marketing and events for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and was the executive director for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals.

Molly Howey, CEcD, was named CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership (Kan.). Howey was previously president of GO Topeka, the Partnership’s economic development organization.

The Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce (Pa.) named Francene Pisano president. Pisano was previously outreach director for U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan and prior, marketing director for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers. 

The Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Ga.) named Jansen Tidmore president and CEO. He was previously president and CEO of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation in Denver, Colorado.

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce (N.C.) named Todd Walker president and CEO. Walker recently retired from the United States Air Force after nearly 29 years of service, most recently serving as Commander of the 4th Mission Support Group at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Kristin J. Weiss, CCE, IOM, was named president and CEO of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce (Fla.). She will succeed Nancy Keefer, CCE, who is retiring in December after leading the organization for the past 12 years. Weiss was most recently president and CEO of the Central Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce (Texas).