Ben VanCamp Selected As President, Chamber Collaborative Of Greater Portsmouth

Member news from the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth:

May 5, 2021

PORTSMOUTH—For four years Ben VanCamp has served as the Vice President of What’s Next at the Chamber Collaborative.

Starting May 31, he will actually be “What’s Next,” when he steps into big shoes left by outgoing President Valerie Rochon.

Monte Bohanan, acting chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, is pleased to announce the selection of VanCamp as president of the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, effective May 31, 2021.

VanCamp has served the Chamber Collaborative since 2017 and made a name for himself as the Vice President of What’s Next. Bohanan said, “Ben’s business acumen, exceptional leadership skills, and knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities facing Portsmouth and the Seacoast all set him apart. His tireless efforts in supporting our businesses positions the Chamber for success, especially as we work together to recover from the pandemic. With the unanimous support of both the search committee and the board, we are confident that Ben will lead us excellently into the next chapter.”

The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth Board of Directors launched a comprehensive search for the position of president in February 2021 following the announcement of Valerie Rochon’s upcoming retirement in June. “We received an overwhelming response and interviewed numerous candidates,” said Bohanan.

Following in-depth teleconference and Zoom interviews with finalists, the Search Committee unanimously recommended VanCamp to the Board for the position of President of the Chamber Collaborative. The Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the committee.

The Search Committee was chaired by Bohanan of The Music Hall and acting chair of the Chamber Board; board members Debbie Moore, from Cambridge Trust Company, Lisa Gainty of TD Bank and Wendy Clement of Kennedy Gallery and Custom Framing. The search committee also included Karen Conard, city manager of Portsmouth, Amy Cann from HR-ROI, Dan Witham from Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, and Robin Albert from Portsmouth Historical Society.

“I am thrilled that Ben will continue his work to grow valuable membership programs across all industry segments, for very small businesses to large corporations. His vision and energy will be invaluable as he and the Chamber team support the business community’s recovery back to pre-COVID revenues and beyond,” said Valerie Rochon, retiring president of the Chamber Collaborative.

As the organization’s vice president, VanCamp has helped rebrand the Chamber and instill it with a new mission/vision process. VanCamp also launched a Small But Mighty recognition program to highlight the true force of our local small business community, and continues to create valued video documentation of these businesses. As part of a brand-new networking program for the Chamber in 2020, he launched two weekly Connect & Collaborate groups for member businesses.

In addition to “Making great friendships and relationships, and holding unique and amazing events, I have really enjoyed watching our members grow and thrive.” VanCamp says. He also cites enjoyment from the creation of a strong partnership with the school’s career and technical education program (CTE) and forging ongoing connections between local industry and the seacoast’s future workforce.

The Chamber sponsors business meetings with professional and educational speakers, with city and state officials, creates business to business opportunities for Chamber members, advocates for the business community at the local, state and federal levels, and markets the Portsmouth and seacoast destination to domestic and international visitors. VanCamp looks to expand services of the Chamber to increase value and to more than meet the needs of the members.

“Over the past five years I have come to love the Portsmouth community and very much look forward to continuing and enhancing my work with the outstanding Chamber board and staff team to ensure that Portsmouth continues to be a great place to work, live, and visit,” says VanCamp.

For information about the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, please visit www.ChamberCollaborative.org. For information about what to experience in and around Portsmouth, visit www.GoPortsmouthNH.com. Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, 500 Market Street, #16A, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 610-5510.

This press release was produced by the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth. The views expressed are the author's own.