Karen Hershey chosen to lead the Chamber.
The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce has named Karen Hershey as the Chamber’s new President/ CEO, effective August 6, 2018. Karen Hershey replaces Noelle Carino who left the Chamber after leading the organization for three years.
As President/CEO, Hershey will oversee the Chamber’s operations as well as work with staff to ensure that Chamber programs and services provide the highest degree of value and benefits to its members.
“I am honored to have been selected for this position,” said Hershey. “The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce has steadfastly served the Toms River business community for 100 years, and I am humbled and excited to lead the Chamber as we begin this new chapter. My immediate goal is to ensure that the services we provide to our members will enable them to succeed and prosper. I am also looking forward to strengthening our existing partnerships and building new ones with local coalitions, governments and non-profit organizations to promote a strong local economy and support the community.”
Before joining the Chamber, Hershey served as Executive Director of New Jersey’s Site Remediation Professional Licensing Board, where she was responsible for managing the organization’s efforts to oversee the licensing and conduct of site remediation professionals. Hershey served as a New Jersey Deputy Attorney General from 1987 to 1999 and has also held positions as government spokesperson, marketing manager, and Council President and Mayor of Island Heights.
She received high honors in Economics from Douglass College- Rutgers University and has a law degree from Seton Hall University.
“Karen’s diverse background as an organizational manager, respected community leader, and lawyer makes her the ideal person to take on the challenge of leading the Chamber in the rapidly changing business world,” said Jonathan Petro, Chairman of the Chamber. “As we celebrate our 100th year as the driving force of economic development at the Jersey Shore, the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce continues to be vital and progressive. I think Karen will do a great job of advocating for our members and advancing the interests of our community as a whole.”
Hershey also serves as a volunteer with New Jersey Literacy and resides in Island Heights with her partner Eileen Dechon, a retired registered nurse and former Paramedic with the New York City Fire Department.
