New MV Chamber of Commerce leader starts March 1

UTICA — The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce will have a new executive director when Pamela Matt of New Hartford takes the helm March 1.

Matt, who did not immediately respond to an interview request, will work to represent the chamber’s members, promote area businesses, recruit new members, and act as a liaison between the business community and government agencies. She will also assist the chamber’s board of directors in addressing legislative issues and challenges facing the business community as well as participate in strategic planning for long-term and short-term growth in the community.

“I feel honored to have been selected as the new executive director of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce, and I am looking forward to partnering with members of the community, businesses, and government leaders to enhance opportunities for growth in the Mohawk Valley,” Matt said in a news release the MV Chamber issued Feb. 14 to announce her hiring.

The MV Chamber, headquartered at 200 Genesee St. in Utica, said it selected Matt after a nationwide search.

Raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., Matt is a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., where she received a bachelor’s degree in economics. She earned her law degree from Duquesne University School of Law and began her career as an employment lawyer for Alcoa and general counsel for CTR Systems, Inc., in Pennsylvania.

Since moving to the Mohawk Valley, Matt has held several development positions with local colleges and most recently served as human-resources director for Mohawk, Ltd.

Matt is the vice president of the Utica Rotary Club and is chairperson for the club’s Youth Exchange and Group Study Exchange programs. She is a Paul Harris Fellow and Rotarian of Excellence 2010-2011 and also serves on the board of the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees and is a past board member of the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica board. Matt, who led a group of professionals on a month-long exchange trip to Japan for Rotary, lives in New Hartford with her husband, F.X. They have five children.

“I am pleased that the board has approved Pam for hire and is excited to welcome her to the chamber,” MV Chamber Chairman Sam Berardino, III said. “The hard work and dedication of our staff and the board of directors has allowed us to have a seamless transition, not missing a beat while this position was vacant.”

Previous executive director

Matt fills the void left when the chamber board ousted former executive director Frank Elias last August. The board never publicly commented on Elias’ dismissal, which became public knowledge following an Aug. 9 chamber board meeting.

“As this is a personnel matter involving the board of directors and a salaried staff member, the board will not comment further on this matter,” Berardino said in a statement at the time. “There have been media reports on the reasons why the decision was made; the board views these reports as mere speculation. A search will begin immediately for a successor. We anticipate a seamless transition as we continue the mission of the chamber.”

Elias joined the MV Chamber in May 2007. He previously worked at Mohawk Valley Community College as director of the Center for Community and Economic Development.

Since his departure from the chamber, Elias has devoted himself to Utica Coffee Roasting Co., which he founded about five years ago and is now making his full-time venture. Elias roasts his own custom coffee blends at Utica Roasting, a retail and wholesale coffee company located at 92 Genesee St., Utica.

“I’ve got a brand. I’ve got customers,” he said at the time. “I’ve got potential I’m excited about.”