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About Us

Hi! We're the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce has existed since 1910 with the sole purpose to Lead Business Growth. The founding officers and members of the Chamber wanted the organization to be "a forceful working unit for the good of Rockford".

We have helped countless businesses grow and expand. We've been a constant advocate for a strong business community - removing obstacles, influencing policy, and forging partnerships. We have recognized, trained, and encouraged leadership development for our current and future workforce.

We exist to Lead Business Growth. And we are here for it. Here to help business with their unique needs be the very best they can be in the very best business environment we can create, with the very best people we can train. We are the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Our Mission: Leading Business Growth
The Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce delivers benefit to the community by leading in the promotion of economic growth, advocating for the interests of business, and providing service and educational opportunities that help our members grow.

Our Vision: Relentlessly grow, develop and support a thriving business community.

Our Values:

  • We work as a team.
  • We are connectors, convenors, & collaborators.
  • We make business personal.
  • We are forward thinking.
  • We strive for operational excellence.
  • We are energized by good work, good laughter, and good coffee.

Equity Promise: We partner with members and the community to foster a business culture of equity and belonging.

Meet Our Team

Angela Kay Larson

Chief Executive Officer
815-987-8100

Caitlin Pusateri

Chief Operating Officer
815-316-4337

Melissa Adams

Operations
and Administration Manager

815-316-4312

Everett Butzine

VP Business Expansion
and Attraction

920-203-3859

Doug Hessong

Director of Publications
and Technology

815-316-4338

Carmen Kellerman

Events Manager
815-316-4302

Brylee Knutti

Data Management Intern
815-987-8100

Mike Lacny

Director of
Sales and Service

815-494-6476

Audrey Moon

Director of Communications
660-341-8461

Kristin Muehlfelder

Member Services Specialist
815-316-4315

Jessica Prath

Member Operations Specialist
815-316-4320

Remi

Office Dog
(Receptionist)
815-987-8100

Additional Team Members

Tina Firestone, Consultant
Christine Hand, Managing Editor, The VOICE and GRCC Connect
Terrance Hall, Economic Development - 815 Impact
Matthew Simpson, Economic Development - 815 Impact

Meet Our Board of Directors

Executive Committee

CBrown_web

Conor Brown

Chair
NorthWest Illinois Alliance
of Realtors

WAlsteen_web

Wendy Alsteen

Vice Chair
Hard Rock
Casino

NJordan_web

Nate Jordan

Treasurer
Illinois Small Business Development Center

LCouper_web

Lesly Couper

Immediate
Past Chair

Workplace

Directors

TAnderson_web

Travis Andersen

UW Health
Northern Illinois Region

DAnspaugh_web

David Anspaugh

Northern Illinois Building
Contractors Association

DGoellner_web

Dietmar Goellner

Advanced Machine
Engineering & Hennig

AGrabowski_web

Alec Grabowski

OSF Healthcare

TGreen_web

Thomas Green

Barrick, Switzer, Long,
Balsley & Van Evera, LLP

THaggestad_web

Troy Haggestad

Williams McCarthy LLP

SHill_web

Sheila Hill

Think Big Corporation

JHultman_web

Jeff Hultman

Foresight Bank

CLaMonica_web

Carly LaMonica

LaMonica Beverages

RRaley_web

Roger Raley

Waldom Electronics

PSchmeling_web

Peter Schmeling

Schmeling Construction Co.

JSolorzano_web

Jose Solorzano

Solorzano & Associates Agency LLC

AWConniff_web

Alexis Wright Conniff

Woodward

KYoung_web

Kika Young

Forest City Gear

Ex-Officio Directors

MMcNamara_web

Mayor
Tom McNamara

City of Rockford

MDunn_web

Michael Dunn, Jr.

Region 1 Planning

GCaronna_web

Dr. Gina Caronna

The Workforce Connection

JGroh_web

John Groh

GoRockford

AKLarson_web

Angela Kay Larson

Greater Rockford
Chamber of Commerce