Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral selects Donna Germain as new president
After a nationwide search to fill its top leadership position, the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral has selected Cape Coral native and Chamber veteran Donna Germain as its new president and CEO, announced Ed Ramos, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors.
Germain reports to the board and is responsible for leading, planning, organizing and overall control of the organization.
Germain takes reins of the organization after long-time president Michael Quaintance stepped down from the post in April to pursue a teaching career.
Germain started her career with the chamber in 2004. The organization promotes and strengthens business in the Cape Coral area, and provides programs and activities to benefit the membership. Over those 11 years, she has served as member relations manager, marketing and communications director And interim vice president. The Chamber’s Review Committee selected her president after culling through applications received from throughout the country.
Additionally, she was staff liaison for the Leadership Cape Coral program since 2011, and was appointed this year to the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals’ Board of Directors.
Germain volunteers for various community events and organizations as well:
She has held various positions on the planning committee for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Cape Coral.
In 2010 and 2011, she served as event chairperson, both years being named into the Top 25 fundraising Relay events in the Florida.
In 2011, Gulfshore Business magazine named her one of Southwest Florida’s 40 Under 40 for her distinguished accomplishments in her profession and in the community.
Germain is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Cape Coral and a 2006 graduate of Advanced Leadership Cape Coral.
Additionally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute for Organization Management professional development program awarded her a 2015 Regent Scholarship for the second consecutive year. The accolade recognizes her involvement in industry professional organizations, community service and professional background.
She will once again attend the Northeast Chamber Institute at Villanova University in Villanova, Penn., this summer. Graduates of the four-year curriculum receive the Institute for Organization Management recognition, signifying completion of 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management and their commitment to the industry.
“Donna’s devotion to the Chamber cannot be ignored, nor could we ignore the 20 letters of recommendation that accompanied her nomination,” Ramos said in a prepared statement. “After conducting a deliberate selection process with due diligence that solicited candidates for the position from around the country, it was abundantly clear that Donna was the logical and most appropriate choice. I am confident she will continue to serve the Chamber and its members with the dedication she has always displayed.”
“I am so honored to have the opportunity to lead the organization that I love so dearly,” Germain said in the statement. “I would like to thank the Chamber leadership for having the confidence in me to fill this position.
“We have a great foundation as an organization,” she said. “Moving forward, we hope to build on that to ensure a broader reach to all of the businesses in our community.”
Source: Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral