'Tireless commitment.' Canton Regional Chamber President Denny Saunier reflects on career

Kelly Byer, The Repository
·4 min read
Dennis Saunier, longtime president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, plans to retire by the end of this year.
Dennis Saunier, longtime president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, plans to retire by the end of this year.

CANTON − Dennis Saunier, longtime president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, will retire by the end of this year.

"I'm proud of our organization on many levels," he said. "But the two things that maybe stand out is our interest dating back 20 years ago in the urban center, downtown Canton, seeing the development and growth of that over that period of time and also the merger of the Canton Chamber with the Jackson-Belden Chamber, two communities working more closely together."

Saunier will continue to serve as president and CEO through the end of this year, when his contract and the chamber's strategic plan conclude, or until a successor is named. The chamber Board of Directors has formed a search committee to fill the position.

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Dennis Saunier, president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, announced Wednesday that he will retire by the end of the year.
Dennis Saunier, president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, announced Wednesday that he will retire by the end of the year.

"Denny’s leadership, advocacy and tireless commitment to serving our community and businesses will truly be missed," Canton Regional Chamber Board Chairman Ralph Lee said in a prepared statement. “He has guided our chamber to solid organizational and financial footing, with an exceptionally strong staff and membership base. His successor will be well positioned to build on this strong foundation.”

Saunier began his 42-year chamber career in 1980 as the first president of the Canton/Stark County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, which now is Visit Canton. He was executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival from 1994 to 2000 and became the chamber's president and CEO in January 2001.

“His vision has helped bring a new vibrancy to downtown Canton," Jim Porter, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said in the prepared statement. "Under his leadership, the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival has grown tremendously and gained national acclaim. For all of these reasons and many more, this community owes a debt of gratitude to Denny.”

Canton Mayor Thomas Bernabei credited Saunier for assisting with the creation of the Mills Business Park, the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District (SID), Visit Canton, and the Downtown Canton Land Bank. The mayor also said Saunier had a "key leadership role" in the construction of Centennial Plaza and has been a leading supporter for the Hall of Fame Village.

Dennis Saunier, longtime president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, plans to retire by the end of this year.
Dennis Saunier, longtime president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, plans to retire by the end of this year.

“My personal thanks and thanks on behalf of the city of Canton to Denny Saunier for his leadership during his more than 40-year career with the chamber," Bernabei stated. "Denny has consistently supported the economic development of Canton and Stark County."

The chamber listed Saunier's numerous achievements as president and CEO as such:

  • Established a young professional department now known as ystark!

  • Led the merger of the Jackson-Belden Chamber of Commerce and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

  • Implemented a health insurance program for small businesses that now covers more than 7,000 people.

  • Marketed the greater Akron-Canton region as a "metroplex" to attract more talent and business, including Breeze Airways to the Akron-Canton Airport.

  • Partnered with the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET), the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership, the Stark County Minority Business Association, and the National Center for Urban Solutions for workforce development.

  • Increased diversity at the chamber, including providing a space for the Stark County Minority Business Association (SCMBA) in the chamber's office building. Leonard Stevens, CEO of the SCMBA, praised the partnership in a prepared statement, "As we embark on our third year in this agreement, I am grateful to Denny not only for his commitment to diversity and inclusion but also his commitment to SCMBA and helping us to meet the needs of minority businesses across Stark County.”

  • Navigated challenges and opportunities during the Covid-19 pandemic to be a critical source of information and support for local businesses.

Saunier said a number of those accomplishments ― such as downtown revitalization, increased diversity and the metroplex ― were part of the chamber's strategic plan created in 2014 and updated in 2019. They will continue to be future areas of focus for the chamber, as well as two business parks (Mills in Canton and the former Stark County Farm in Navarre) and public policy that affects small businesses.

As for himself, Saunier said he's looking forward to the "cliche" retirement. He intends to spend more time with his grandchildren and look for causes and efforts of interest that he could support.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com.On Twitter: @kbyerREP

Dennis Saunier, longtime president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, plans to retire by the end of this year.
Dennis Saunier, longtime president and CEO of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, plans to retire by the end of this year.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton Regional Chamber president Denny Saunier to retire