Submitted photo Pictured, from left, are Fred Johnson, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce chairperson; Todd Tranum, outgoing president/CEO; Dan Heitzenrater, incoming president/CEO; and Heather Brown, treasurer.

Daniel Heitzenrater has been named the next president and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are excited to bring Dan on the team as he has the skills, the motivation and is the right fit to lead the organization,” said Fred Johnson, chair of the chamber’s board of directors. “As the key executive assistant for the last three of our County Executives Dan is both intimately acquainted with the details that make up the business environment of Chautauqua County and also with a strategic level County-wide perspective on the issues and opportunities facing us as we go forward.

“We had several excellent candidates for this position. We conducted an extensive search and executed a thorough process to ultimately hire Dan. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Todd Tranum, our outgoing CEO for his many years of service and contribution to our organization and to the County. He has been tireless in his efforts to improve opportunities for our members and for the County we work in. Most recently, he has guided us through all the twists and turns of the COVID pandemic while at the same time managing a thoughtful and meticulous transition of leadership which brings us together to welcome Dan as our new leader.”

Said Heitzenrater, “I am excited to start a new chapter with the Chamber of Commerce. I have enjoyed working with residents and businesses across Chautauqua County through my role in the County Executive’s Office, and I look forward to continuing that work countywide to advocate for the priorities of Chamber members and our communities.”

Added Tranum: “I am thrilled for our members, investors and the overall organization that Dan will be taking the reigns at the Chamber. Having interacted with Dan for the past several years, I am confident that he will be a strong representative of the business community, will work as a team player with our many partners and will bring with him new and innovative approaches to help businesses address their challenges and seize their opportunities.”

“It is an exciting time to join the Chamber of Commerce team,” Heitzenrater continued. “The challenges of the past eighteen months have brought many struggles of local business to the forefront. We have a great opportunity to grow support and advocate for the priorities of our chamber members while envisioning new ways to drive foot traffic and conduct business.