Big shoes to fill
Susan Balla announced Friday she will retire as executive director of THE CHAMBER of Commerce, Inc., after three years of leading the new organization.
She will leave Feb. 15.
Balla in 2010 presided over the merger of what was then the Cranberry and Northern Allegheny County chambers of commerce. The merger created what's become the third largest chamber of commerce in the Pittsburgh region.
Under her tutelage, THE CHAMBER has grown to more than 1,100 members and covers 16 municipalities in three counties.
Balla said in a news release Friday that she plans to travel and spend time with her husband in their Florida home, but added “Pittsburgh will always be home.”
She couldn't be reached Friday for comment, but several people who have worked with her over the years said Balla will be sorely missed.
“Those are going to be some big, big shoes to fill for the chamber,” said Bruce Mazzoni, Cranberry Township supervisors president. “Susan has really done so much for the Cranberry community in so many ways.”
Mazzoni said he's worked so closely with Balla over the years that he can't imagine working with a new executive director.
“This is a chamber that is top-notch,” he said. “I feel bad for the person who's stepping in to her shoes because it's truly going to be a tough task to keep going the way she has.”
Hal Martin, treasurer of THE CHAMBER's board, said Friday that the board is conducting a “comprehensive” search for a new executive director.
That search includes local, regional and national candidates. Martin also said THE CHAMBER will pick Balla's successor within a week or two.
Martin also praised Balla, saying she leaves behind a solid organization.
“Now that her work is done, her successor will have the framework to be able to elevate THE CHAMBER to a higher level in the region,” Martin said.
Jennifer Ackerman, executive director of the Zelienople-Harmony Chamber of Commerce, echoed those sentiments and said it will take some getting used to Balla not being around.
“She will be missed in the community,” she said. “Her ability to work with others will be missed. She's such a people person.”
