Raymond takes over direction of Geneva chamber
Jan. 12—GENEVA — Drew Raymond hit the ground running this week with numerous meetings in his new position as executive director of the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce.
"The last week has been a whirlwind. I have gone to about a dozen meetings," Raymond said.
He said he started the job on Jan. 4 and has been learning the job, with the assistance of the recently retired Sue Ellen Foote, who ran the organization for 35 years.
"I think the chamber is going to be in good hands. He is going to transition well and be a good director," Foote said.
"I was born and raised in Geneva," Raymond said of his roots in the city and employment just north in Geneva-on-the-Lake where he has worked for many years at Old Firehouse Winery.
He said he has been the wine maker at the establishment for 17 years and served in a variety of roles including work in scheduling, special event organization and social media outreach.
Raymond said the skill set he has developed should translate well to the chamber. He said he will continue to work full time at the winery and part time for the chamber.
"[The chamber] is a part-time job with full-time commitment," he said with a laugh.
Raymond said he enjoys working with people and hopes to continue to grow the organization. He said it has been run well and he hopes to add members as the months and years go by.
The chamber covers businesses in northwestern Ashtabula County including Geneva, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Geneva Township, Harpersfield Township, Austinburg Township as well as Madison and Perry in Lake County, he said.
Raymond said his flexible schedule at the winery will help him meet the needs of his new job. He said there are more than 200 businesses in the chamber, but it is always changing.
"We got three new applicants in this week," he said.
Raymond said he hopes to listen to area businesses to see what services they need as the chamber continues to develop.
