The Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce finalized its shift in leadership in the last week, hiring its new chief executive officer and electing a new board president.

The chamber shared that it chose Scott Czechlewski as its latest CEO on Monday as the successor to Kim Tesoro. Czechlewski, who comes to Orange County from Wilmington, will manage the nonprofit’s staff, programming and advocacy of the local businesses and economic development. Previously, he served as the communications director for Wilmington’s Chamber of Commerce for 15 years and directed its Leadership Wilmington program for three years.

“I’m excited to engage with the business community and area stakeholders to determine where the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber can best provide its support for growing a strong business climate and improving quality of life in the area,” Czechlewski shared in a release. “Shutdowns due to Covid presented a number of significant challenges for the Chamber, and my most-immediate goals will include rebuilding membership to pre-pandemic levels, and reviving former—and introducing new—events, programs and services to meet the needs of our members. I look forward to furthering the mission of the Chamber and increasing our visibility as an advocate for the region.” 

Tesoro is stepping down from a role she’s held since 2017. Monday’s release said she is “transitioning to a limited role in the organization for health reasons” and will be involved in helping prepare Czechlewski for the job. Additionally, the chamber said Tesoro will be focusing her efforts on being a liaison with the local governments and working on policy issues that “strengthen the Chamber’s mission to be the voice of business in the Hillsborough region.”

The previous week, the Hillsborough/Orange County chamber’s board of directors also had a shift in leadership. Raul Herrara, the prior vice president, was elected as the new board president. Over the last decade, he’s served as a member of former Governor Pat McCrory’s Advisory Council on Hispanic and Latino Affairs, the NC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Durham Regional Financial Center, Orange High School’s PTSO, Hillsborough Kiwanis, and Farmer’s Foodshare. Herrara primarily works as a a senior loan officer for New American Funding and has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry.

“2023 will be a year of growth and transition at the Hillsborough Chamber,” he said in a release, “as we re-introduce events and programs that had to be discontinued during the pandemic, as well as launch new offerings for members,” Herrera said. “The Chamber’s visibility in the community will also be a focus area, particularly in areas of governmental affairs and advocacy around building a stronger business climate and addressing quality of life issues in northern Orange County and the surrounding areas. The Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce will provide a strong voice for a pro-business environment to our elected officials and government leaders.”

The local chamber also added four new members to its 15-seat board for 2023: Rodney Clapp of Fidelity Bank, Emilee Collins with West & Woodall Real Estate/Pickett Sprouse Commercial Real Estate, Kelly Davis with the Ballard Agency, and Jessica Nilles of First National Bank.

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