St. Louis Regional Chamber Shakes Up Economic Development Department, Eliminates Positions
Date Posted: May 2, 2018
Posted In: News, Organizations,
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Just months after the resignation of its embattled president and chief executive officer, more change is coming to the St. Louis Regional Chamber, which announced a flurry of personnel moves in its economic development department Monday.
The reorganization of the regional business and civic group under its interim leader Tom Chulick will eliminate four positions, while creating two new roles — a director of business recruitment and a project coordinator of business recruitment. A spokesperson for the Chamber would not identify or comment on any of the individuals leaving the organization.
“This focused and collaborative economic development approach was adopted in response to feedback from the Regional Chamber Executive Committee, investors, member companies and area business leaders who want the Regional Chamber to take a stronger role in regional business recruitment and job growth,” the Chamber said in a release.
The shake-up follows a year of tumult at the Chamber, which saw former president and CEO Joe Reagan resign in February after facing months of allegations that he contributed to a “hostile work environment.”
Karen Ellis, the Chamber’s director of economic development, confirmed with the Post-Dispatch that her job was eliminated this week. Ellis sued Reagan and another Chamber executive last year, alleging gender discrimination and retaliation. That civil lawsuit remains pending in St. Louis Circuit Court and is slated to go to trial later this month.