M&T Bank’s Newman begins term as chair of Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) inaugurated its new chair, M&T Bank Regional President Peter Newman, during its 54th annual meeting last Tuesday.

Newman now begins his two-year term as chair of the chamber’s board of directors, replacing Joe Mirabito, president and CEO of Mirabito Energy Products, who guided the chamber’s board over the past two years.

The GBCC seeks to help local businesses to prosper and help drive regional economic growth, and the chair of its board of directors plays a “pivotal role in setting priorities and fostering a more business-friendly climate for the Greater Binghamton area,” according to a news release issued by M&T Bank.

During his term as chair, Newman says he plans to focus on three key local priorities.

• Fostering a business-friendly environment: Serving as a strong voice for businesses in Binghamton, the Southern Tier and across upstate New York to support job creation and economic growth.
• Workforce development: Supporting programs and advocating for legislation that ensure the Greater Binghamton area’s workforce is talented, diverse, and prepared for jobs in the evolving economy.
• Education: Ensuring young people have access to programs that will help them develop skills to become productive contributors to the community through the chamber’s Greater Binghamton Education Outreach Program (GBEOP).

Newman, who also serves as co-chair of the Broome Talent Task Force, an effort lead by The Agency, is already taking action on the workforce-development priority, the release stated. He allocated sponsorship dollars from M&T Bank to support the chamber’s 2018 Greater Binghamton Job & Career Fair, which helps connect job seekers with in-demand career opportunities. It takes places June 15 at the SUNY Broome Ice Center.

Named M&T Bank regional president for Southern New York in 2011, Newman oversees 23 offices across 10 counties from the bank’s regional headquarters located at 68 Exchange St. in downtown Binghamton. He joined M&T in 1990.

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