The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce board announced in a news release that Randy Ohlendorf will serve as the organization’s new executive director.
The board received more than 20 applications for the position left vacant by Imelda Dulcich’s resignation, board President Sara Biancofiori said.
Ohlendorf, a longtime Newcastle resident, is an experienced business developer and consultant in healthcare, human capital and employee benefits.
“I’m ecstatic,” Ohlendorf said about his new appointment. “It’s a little overwhelming at the moment, but I look forward to working closely with the chamber board and the business community to move the ball forward.”
Ohlendorf and his wife Marilee moved to the area 25 years ago, settling down in the first house built in the China Creek neighborhood.
“This area opened our eyes to a completely new and different place to live — we loved it,” he said. “We raised our kids here, participated in community projects for the schools, and actively coached girls sports for over a decade.”
In his role as a benefits broker, and later as a human consultant, Ohlendorf’s work mostly consisted of attracting, developing and retaining employees, he said. That work, in a lot of ways, is not unlike the role of a business chamber, he added.
“I’m really excited to take on the challenges associated with operating a valued community resource,” he said. “Newcastle is a vibrant and growing business community, with so many wonderful people providing best-of-class services. I see my job as helping our businesses grow and prosper, while finding new and exciting ways to better serve our residents and visitors.”
The executive director position, established in 2012, serves in a part-time consultant role as the chief administrator and executive officer of the chamber. The director implements the policies of the board of directors, administers the approved budget and acts as the chamber spokesman.
Learn more about the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce at www.newcastle-chamber.org.