Eric Godet, Sr. Named Permanent President/CEO of Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – December 14, 2018 – Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Interim President/CEO Eric Godet, Sr. has been appointed permanent head of the business organization’s operations.
Godet assumes full leadership of the Chamber at an important time in Greater Gainesville’s history as economic development, public policy, education and employment initiatives are continuously making headlines.
“Greater Gainesville is undergoing a period of accelerated growth, and there is a lot of energy and vibrancy in many parts of our community,” said Godet. “Growth is essential for survival, and if we’re smart about this growth, we can ensure that it is sustainable and that everyone in our community can enjoy its benefits. I hear the calls for greater unity, and I believe the best way to achieve unity is to focus on the opportunities that we all can agree will benefit the community the most. There are already so many examples of close cooperation between city, county, Chamber, community organizations and our many institutions, and I intend to create more. I see a great future in store for the Gainesville region.”
Godet was named Interim President/CEO of the Chamber in August. Prior to the appointment he chaired the Chamber’s public policy committee as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Godet served as Chairman of the Council for Economic Outreach in 2009 and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2010 for the Chamber. Godet has also served as president/CEO of Godet Industries International, a vice president at Haven Hospice and a founding member of RTI Surgical.
“As the selection process progressed it became clear that we had an excellent candidate right here in the community—someone with close ties to so many institutions and organizations—and he just so happened to already be occupying the corner office at the Chamber,” said Kevin Monroe, Chairman of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. “I am delighted that Eric agreed to take the helm as we—as an organization—reimagine and hone our vision of what the Chamber can do to further enhance the quality of life in the Greater Gainesville area. I truly believe his deep roots in the community, his experience serving in volunteer Chamber leadership roles and his ability to bring diverse groups to consensus will enhance prospects for our members and for the entire community.”
About the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business in the Gainesville area since 1924. Representing over 1,300 members that employ more than 80,000 people, the Chamber is leading the effort to make the Gainesville region a global hub for talent, innovation and opportunity. The Chamber is 5-Star Accredited by the United States Chamber of Commerce, putting it in the top 1% of all Chambers nationwide. Learn more at www.GainesvilleChamber.comor call us at 352.334.7100.
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CONTACT
Shaw Adcock
+1-352-334-7135
Staci-Ann Bertrand Joins Gainesville Area Chamber as Interim Senior Director of Economic Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – October 3, 2018 – The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce announced today that Staci-Ann Bertrand has joined the organization as Interim Senior Director of Economic Development.
Bertrand will lead the Chamber’s efforts to grow existing businesses in the region and attract new businesses to the Greater Gainesville area. This will not be a new challenge for her — in her prior role as director for industry development at the Chamber, she assisted in attracting and retaining more than 1,600 jobs and helping bring more than $436 million in capital investment to the Greater Gainesville region from 2012 to 2017.
Bertrand returns to the Chamber after serving as assistant director for employer development at the University of Florida Career Connections Center, where she was a primary industry recruiter for more than 100 employers showcasing the University of Florida’s departments and programs in major national and international markets.
“We really appreciate Staci’s ability to initiate, develop and maintain strong relationships with the businesses and community partners that are key to Gainesville’s continued growth,” said Eric Godet, interim president/CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber. “She has worked closely with industry, campus, workforce and educational partners throughout the region to assist companies through recruitment, retention and expansion. She is a welcomed addition to our great team here at the Chamber.”
“I am extremely honored to be back at the Gainesville Area Chamber to assist in the current and future growth of the Greater Gainesville Region,” Bertrand said.
About the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce
The Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of business in the Gainesville area since 1924. Representing over 1,300 members that employ more than 80,000 people, the Chamber is leading the effort to make the Gainesville region a global hub for talent, innovation and opportunity. The Chamber is 5-Star Accredited by the United States Chamber of Commerce, putting it in the top 1% of all Chambers nationwide. Learn more at www.GainesvilleChamber.com or call us at 352.334.7100.
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CONTACT
Todd Van Hoosear
todd@gainesvillechamber.com
+1-352-372-1404
