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Board of Directors

We are the volunteers who have been elected by the Chamber's membership to ensure that the Chamber is a visible and vocal advocate for our members and all of the communities within Saratoga County. We believe that every member deserves equal support and respect. Each year we help to support and improve the communities where we live, work and play. We're leading the way to a successful future for our members and our county. Come to us with your ideas and concerns. 

2024 Executive Board

Chad Kiesow
Stewart's Shops
Chair of the Board

Randy Metevier
BKind Strategies
Chair Elect

Melissa Johnson
Target Distribution Center
Vice Chair

Eric Hennessey
UHY Advisors
Treasurer/Secretary

Amy Smith
Saratoga Arms Hotel
Immediate Past Chair of the Board

2024 Board of Directors

Heath Ames
Cantina

Tom Bellhouse
West Point Thoroughbreds

 

Sue Commanda
Hudson River Community Credit Union

Matt Cudemo
Saratoga Casino Hotel

Maggie Fronk
Wellspring

 

Nil Ghoshal
Polyset

Dan Graham
SM2 Development

Alexandra Gutelius
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library

Dennis Kiingati
Hamlet and Ghost

 

Vince Laurenzo
Quick Response

Andrea Litchfield
Impact Athletic Center

Paul Loomis
Gilbane Building Company

 

Chris Lyons
AIM Services

Michael O'Connell
Adirondack Trust Company

Tara Anne Pleat
Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC

John Rogan
Saratoga Eagle

David Rosenberg
Brix Wine and Liquor

Terri Stripling
Ten80 Education, LLC

Najja Thompson
New York Thoroughbred Breeders Association

Jill VanKuren
Saratoga Hospital

Melissa Ward
NewWard Development

Andy Wise
Saratoga National Bank

 

Chad Kiesow named 2024 Chair of Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Kiesow will lead the Chamber’s board of 27 volunteers throughout 2024

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Chad Kiesow, Chief Operating Officer at Stewart’s Shops Corp., has been elected the 2024 Chair of the Board of Directors of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Kiesow assumed this role on January 1, 2024, after Amy Smith of Saratoga Arms Hotel completed her one-year term as Chair of the Board and now becomes the Immediate Past Chair.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Saratoga County Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2024, a year that will undoubtedly be historic as our community prepares to host the Belmont Stakes this coming June,” Kiesow said. “Beyond working to maximize the economic and promotional opportunity for Saratoga resulting from this historic event, the Chamber will continue to be a visible and vocal promoter and advocate for our many small locally owned businesses via our SCORE small business counseling program, the Upstate of Business news segment in partnership with WNYT, and our award-winning Love Our Locals campaign. While Saratoga’s economy has outperformed many other communities in Upstate New York, we realize that the number one challenge facing local employers across every sector is our historic labor shortage and that is why the Chamber will focus much of its time and resources in 2024 on talent recruitment via our online Job Zone and expansion of our Live Like You’re On Vacation talent recruitment campaign.”
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Board has a total of 27 members. The Chair Elect is Randy Metevier of BKind Strategies, who will become the Chair of the Board in 2025. The 2024 Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors is Melissa Johnson of Target Distribution and the 2024 Treasurer and Secretary is Eric Hennessey of UHY Advisors.
New members include Matt Cudemo of Saratoga Casino Hotel, Andrea Litchfield of Impact Athletic Center and Dan Graham of SM2 Development, all appointed to a one-year term, as well as Michael O’Connell of Adirondack Trust Company, who was elected for a three-year term through Dec. 31, 2026.
Additional members continuing their service on the board in 2024 include Heath Ames of Cantina; John Rogan of Saratoga Eagle; Tara Pleat of Wilcenski & Pleat; Sue Commanda of Hudson River Community Credit Union; Jill VanKuren of Saratoga Hospital; Terri Stripling of Ten80 Education, Inc.; Nil Ghoshal of Polyset; Najja Thompson of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.; Paul Loomis of Gilbane Construction; Chris Lyons of AIM Services; Alexandra Gutelius of Clifton Park Halfmoon Library; Tom Bellhouse of West Point Thoroughbreds; Andy Wise of Saratoga National Bank; Dennis Kiingati of Hamlet & Ghost; Melissa Ward of New Ward Development; Vince Laurenzo of Quick Response; Dave Rosenberg of Brix Wine & Liquor; and Maggie Fronk of Wellspring.
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has an annual budget of approximately $1.8 million and employs eight full-time staff members. The mission of the Chamber is to help local organizations and communities across Saratoga County succeed, grow, and thrive.

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