People news: Chemung County Chamber appoints new president and CEO

ELMIRA, N.Y. — The Chemung County Chamber of Commerce recently named Jennifer Herrick-McGonigal its new president and CEO.

She started her new position on Sept. 29.

Herrick-McGonigal replaces outgoing president Kamala Keeley, who had held the post for five years. Keeley — the first female president in the chamber’s 116-year history — recently became president at Three Rivers Development, a Corning–based economic-development corporation that serves Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben counties.

Herrick-McGonigal joins the Chemung County Chamber after almost 15 years as the executive director of Elmira Downtown Development, a nonprofit dedicated to boosting Elmira’s downtown district. Herrick-McGonigal previously was director of community relations at Rochester law firm Moran & Kufta (now Valerio & Kufta) in 2005, and for four years was the marketing manager at New York City-based IT service company FAME Information Services, according to her LinkedIn profile. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Brockport in 1992 and a master’s degree in management from Elmira College in 2020.

“I am honored to lead a talented and respected team in representing and serving Chemung County members and have the opportunity to continue the progress the chamber has made for the county’s business community through their innovative programs,” Herrick-McGonigal said about her new position.

The Chemung County Chamber’s board chair, Michael Printup, president of the Watkins Glen International racetrack, said that Herrick-McGonigal’s experience and attitude drew the chamber board to selecting her for the position.

“Jennifer brings the passion and experience the board identified as key traits required to build upon our solid foundation already in place. We’re confident that she will provide strong vision and direction for the Chamber as the organization opens a new chapter. She brings a tremendous amount of experience in community relations, marketing and event management and that experience will benefit Chemung County,” Printup said in the release.