The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new executive director following the resignation of Holly Deitchman, the current president and CEO of the not-for-profit organization. Deitchman’s resignation is effective June 24.

Deitchman

Jessica McGrail, chairperson of the board of directors said Deitchman’s contributions since joining the group in February 2014 have been substantial and greatly appreciated.

“I speak for the entire board of directors when I say we are saddened to see Holly leave,” said McGrail, who is also the owner of Batavia business Dollar & Sense Bookkeeping. “We are happy for her personally as she received an incredible opportunity to continue to support Batavia, albeit in a different capacity. We sincerely thank her for her five years of leading the Batavia Chamber of Commerce.”

During her tenure, Batavia Chamber of Commerce membership increased from 280 members to 480 members. The group is presently promoting a “Drive for 500” to reach the 500-member mark.

Officials said Deitchman worked to cement chamber collaboration with the various Batavia taxing bodies, Batavia MainStreet, and area nonprofits for the singular goal of building a better Batavia.

Other accomplishments were to revamp the chamber’s website, increase promotion of members to the public, refine the Chamber Ambassadors, and to add an element of giving back at Net-Working It. This year alone, $3,800 has been collected and given to different charitable organizations during this monthly  open-networking event.

Due to these results and its direction, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce was recently honored by the Daily Herald Business Ledger as a 2019 Annual Awards for Business Excellence winner in the Business Organization/Economic Development category.

Deitchman said she is confident that the Batavia Chamber of Commerce is set up for continued success.

“I love Batavia, I love this staff, I love the membership, and the board has been super supportive; it is purely personal reasons that I have to step away from the chamber,” she said. “I have a ton of pride in what we’ve accomplished, and much of it has been because we have a great staff and we believe in our product.

“We developed a culture here that is welcoming and approachable; we are a roll up your sleeves group that works to help you,” she said.

Deitchman’s offer of employment as communications director with Batavia School District 101 was formalized last night at BPS’s board meeting. She will begin July 1 with the district. Her last day with Batavia Chamber of Commerce will be Monday, June 24.

A complete job description will be posted on the Batavia Chamber’s job page by Friday, May 24. It will also be shared on the organization’s Facebook page. Applications for the position will be accepted through 5 p.m. Thursday, June 6.

About the Batavia Chamber of Commerce

A local business-centered organization, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce sponsors or is involved with several annual Batavia events, including the Annual Mayor’s Breakfast, Citizen of the Year/Ole Awards Event, Windmill City Fest and much more.

Membership and information about upcoming chamber and community events are available online at bataviachamber.org or by calling 630-879-7134.