The Salem Area Chambers of Commerce had experienced an administrative shakeup, with both Executive Director Lori Jewell, left, and Administrative Assistant Laurie Anderson departing the chamber in October. Jewell and Anderson’s tenure with the chamber saw expansion to the chamber’s community, digital, and social media presence, and record financial, and membership growth. Jewell and Anderson both cited the relationships they were able to forge as the highlights of their tenures with the chamber and were grateful for the opportunities their positions afforded them. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — After years of dedicated service Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lori Jewell and Administrative Assistant Laurie Anderson are both departing the chamber.

Jewell and Anderson said that their departures being so close was a complete coincidence, as each had separately made the decision to leave, with Anderson moving to a new position elsewhere, and Jewell pursuing a healthier work-life balance. Jewell said that she had placed her notice first, but, as the executive director, had a longer notice period, so Anderson, whose final day was Oct. 15, finished with the chamber prior to Jewell’s final day of Oct. 25.

“We both shocked each other, and then really shocked the board,” joked Anderson.

While Jewell and Anderson were originally in competition for the administrative assistant position when Jewell was first hired in March 2017, when Jewell became executive director in October 2018, she hired Anderson as administrative assistant on her first day, and the two have been a dynamic duo since.

“Her and I have always been a team, so it’s kind of appropriate we’re both leaving at the same time even though it wasn’t planned,” said Jewell.

Jewell was initially reluctant to accept the position she had held for the last six years, noting that when the previous executive director Audrey Null left the chamber and the position was offered to her, she initially declined. Jewell said that at the time she was worried about missing out on time with her child who was in several extracurricular activities to attend the chamber’s evening programming.

“I didn’t want to miss out on being a mom and being there for them,” said Jewell.

However, with the encouragement of her husband, and the board of directors’ assurance that she would be able to set her own schedule flexibly, when she was offered the position again roughly two months later Jewell accepted. Jewell said that in addition to the promised flexibility, the opportunity to serve in a supervisory capacity for the first time appealed to her, and that having served as Administrative Assistant she felt there was room for improvement in some areas.

Since Jewell and Anderson took on the chamber’s administration, it has set annual records for the

number of chamber advertisers with 58 in 2024 so far. This year also saw the chamber gain 40 new members, which Jewell said tied 2019 for the most new members in a year since the chamber started collecting that data, surpassed only by 2013 with 41 new members and 2004 with 50. This growth was bolstered by the purchase of GrowthZone’s chamber membership software, which Jewell said had a much more accessible Ui than the chamber’s previous software and allowed the chamber to process memberships and payments online and post job listings for member businesses.

“It really let us bring the chamber into the 21st century,” said Jewell

Jewell and Anderson also oversaw expansions to the chamber’s social media accounts, expanding its presence on LinkedIn and Instagram, and creating dedicated Facebook pages for the Chamber’s Beautification Committee, and the Chamber Gallery of Art; and to its outreach creating the chamber’s weekly newsletter and continuing its existing slate of programming while adding several new events including the Chamber’s monthly 12@12 networking event, the annual Golden Egg Hunt, Chamber Happy Hours, and Gallery exhibits and Meet the Artist events.

Their tenure also saw expansion to the chamber’s collaboration with other businesses and organizations.

“Through collaboration with other businesses and organizations on events such as Scarecrow Shenanigans, Warm Up Salem, and the Kent State Downtown Scavenger Hunt as well as the Chamber having a presence at the Trail of Treats and sponsoring the Banquet of Salem, the Chamber has engaged more deeply with our community,” said Jewell.

Jewell’s tenure has also corresponded with financial growth for the chamber, with her fiscal responsibility and strict adherence to the chamber budget resulting in the chamber ending each year with a positive balance.

Jewell said that she had enjoyed her time with the chamber, noting that being able to apply the skills acquired in obtaining her business degree, and 19 years of previous experience as a paralegal had “been very rewarding.” She said her favorite aspect of the position was always the relationships it enabled her to form, and the variety of people she got to meet.

“My favorite thing is all the people I get to meet and the lasting friendships I get to make. I also love meeting with new businesses, discussing their plans, and getting to see them grow through my position with the chamber,” said Jewell.

Jewell said that background in business proved to be important as the chamber is a business itself that is not affiliated with the city government unlike many other chambers of commerce that must generate all of its own revenue through membership dues, sponsorship and advertisers.

“The executive director position is kind of two-fold, we’re an organization help Salem businesses succeed, but people tend not to know that we’re a business ourselves and there’s a lot of work on that end to make sure we’re doing what we must to be a functional, legitimate business in the state of Ohio,” said Jewell.

For her part Anderson also said that her favorite part of working at the chamber was the relationships it enabled.

“The best part is definitely the people we meet and the meaningful relationships we get to make with them,” said Anderson.

Anderson said that she had also enjoyed the opportunities the position had given her to learn more about Salem and watch the revitalization of the downtown area and growth of the downtown businesses firsthand.

Both Jewell and Anderson said they were grateful for the support they’d received during their tenures and the opportunities that they had afforded them.

“I am immensely grateful for the support I’ve received. This journey has been rewarding in the fact that I have made so many lifelong friendships. Thank you for allowing me to serve in this role and for trusting me in leading the chamber and representing Salem,” said Jewell

“I want to express my deep gratitude for the experiences, opportunities, and growth [this job] has provided. I’ve learned invaluable lessons, formed meaningful relationships, and developed both personally and professionally. While it’s time for me to start a new chapter, I leave with fond memories and immense appreciation for everything this role has given me,” said Anderson.