Staff changes at Prineville Chamber of Commerce

Prineville Chamber of Commerce announced the resignation of Bill Gowen, who has served as Chamber CEO since 2010.

Prineville native and local business owner, Joe Becker will be serving as Interim Executive Director for the Chamber until a new candidate is found to assume the role of Executive Director. Becker has served on the Chamber Board of Directors since 2011, and is the current Vice President.

“We want to thank Bill Gowen for his dedication to Prineville and his service through the Chamber of Commerce,” says Chamber Board President Ed Yoder, “we know he will continue to be an asset to our community.”

These leadership changes are happening as the Prineville Chamber of Commerce implements its strategy to better support local business as well as attract new business and tourism. “Our goal for the future is not to only increase local business growth, but also drive tourism through multi-media marketing,” says Yoder.

Becker, who served for four years as the President of a downtown business association in Ohio, explains “the number one objective of the Chamber is to best support our members and increase membership.” Becker, along with the rest of the Chamber Board of Directors (Ed Yoder, Steve Holliday, Travis Garner, Chris DuPont, Kim Hicks, Kathy Gaillard, Lynn McCann, Dean Sparks, Pat Lenahan and Serenia Groth), are working hard to bring greater valued support to local businesses.

“We enjoy making a difference in our community,” says Becker, “and we want to help people realize how good we have it in Prineville both as businesses and individuals.”