The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce announced today that the organization has hired Kenneth Riehl of Essex to fill the position of Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O). Riehl was the top choice of the Chamber’s Executive Search Committee and was unanimously endorsed by the Chamber’s Board of Directors at a meeting held earlier this week.  He is currently the President of Riehl Leadership Services (RLS), a Chamber member firm based in Essex and specializing in assisting area small businesses and non-profits with growth and performance enhancement.

Ed Collard, President of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and co-chair with Past President Sal Frontiero of the search committee said: “Ken will be a great asset to the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. I am confident that he will continue to build on our already solid foundation with his strong business management background and his love of Cape Ann”.

Prior to founding RLS earlier this year, Riehl worked successfully at several large corporations and led many multi-million dollar initiatives over a span of 30 years. He left big business in the spring to re-focus his career on serving locally, providing leadership services to small businesses and non-profits, and volunteering for the community at large. During his career in industry Riehl held leadership positions with several major corporations, including United Technologies, Goodrich, Raytheon and Hughes.

“I am honored and very excited to be selected as the C.E.O. for the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. My focus will be on growing the Chamber through expansion of Chamber benefits, increasing business partnering and sponsorships, and improving Chamber communication and outreach. In addition, I will bring my corporate business experience to bear to further improve chamber operation and fiscal stability,” said Riehl.

Ken Riehl will take over the reins as the Cape Ann Chamber C.E.O. on Monday, December 2 and will join the Board and members at the Chamber’s annual membership meeting on Monday, December 9 at Bass Rocks Golf Club, 34 Beach Road in Gloucester from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Riehl holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Imaging Science from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master’s of Science in Business Management from Lesley College.