Longtime Chamber of Commerce CEO Leaves Due to Health Issues

When the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates , longtime CEO Melony Newman will not be at the helm of the organization.

Newman, who served as President and CEO of the chamber for the last eight years, recently announced she was stepping down from her post, due to health issues.

In a letter, she wrote that her health "took a very unexpected turn in July" related to a heart condition, and that she has "had to make some changes in my life." She added that the chamber "needs a healthy and strong leader, able to give 100 percent."

Newman recently moved to Portland, Oregon to be with her husband, Jeff.

“It has been an honor and pleasure to serve as the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO for the past eight years," she wrote. "We, with the Town and business community, made lots of positive changes and progress while navigating through some very challenging  economic times."

To help the local economy, the Town of Danville worked with local businesses on the , where merchants were given grants for marketing, advertising and retail facade improvements. From April 2009 to April 2010, the town gave out $315,000 to more than 50 businesses through the program.

"I am especially proud of the collaboration with the Town of Danville," wrote Newman in the letter, in which she also thanked several local business owners for their dedication to the chamber. " I have made many wonderful relationships and friendships that I hope and expect to last a life time."

Debra Long, previously the chamber's office manager, is serving as the interim President and CEO.