SYRACUSE -  The Syracuse Area Chamber of Commerce hiring committee has announced the hiring of Wendy Werner as the new executive director.

 Werner, who has a bachelor of arts in public administration from Doane University, began her professional career in 1988 working for the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority. Over the next 25 plus years worked for companies and organizations that supported, developed or managed housing, mostly affordable housing. 

For about the last eight years, she worked full time for membership organizations, that is organizations that in part rely on membership dues to operate.

Werner: “When my children were younger, I was a lot more involved in the community and volunteered with local organizations, but as they got older, I had less spare time.  I had been looking for an opportunity to get involved again when the Chamber announced Carolyn’s retirement.

“I always thought Carolyn was the perfect fit as executive director and I hope I can adequately follow in her footsteps.”

As with a lot of new things, there is a learning curve.  I really want to take the next year to learn about the Chamber, make connections with the members and get a handle on events and meetings.”

Werner grew up in Valley and graduated from Valley High School (now DC West), but has strong ties to the Syracuse community .

Her husband, Randy, is a Syracuse native and they have two children.   Madeline who is an Syracuse graduate, is a sophomore at UNL and Nolan is a sophomore at Syracuse High. 

Werner: “In 2008, Maddie was Little Miss Germanfest and our family had a great time promoting Syracuse in parades”

“Since my children were old enough to understand, I told them Syracuse was their town too and it would always be their hometown and we all had a responsibility to help.”