The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce has launched the search for its next president and CEO as current leader Hal English prepares to retire later this year.
English, who has led the chamber since January 2021, is expected to remain in the role through June to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
“The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber is a thriving organization poised for growth,” said Patrick L. Ryan, chair of the chamber’s board of directors. “We are looking for someone with a growth mindset who will advance a strategic vision and galvanize our current and future members. I am excited to get the search for our next leader started.”
The chamber said it is seeking “a strategic and entrepreneurial leader to serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer” who “must be a champion for economic development and understand the critical role a chamber of commerce serves for its membership and the communities it serves.”
The chamber has partnered with CBIZ Not-for-Profit Executive Search Practice to conduct the search. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. More information about the position is available at princetonmercerchamber.org/ceosearch.
English, who also serves as vice president of the Robbinsville Township Council, announced in January that he plans to retire after more than five years leading the regional business organization.
“When Hal English assumed the role of President and CEO of the Chamber, we were still in the midst of a global pandemic,” Ryan said earlier this year. “He deftly steered our organization through the crisis, and we emerged stronger because of his leadership.”
“Today, the Chamber is thriving with an engaged Board, strong support from our sponsors, and – most importantly – a thriving membership,” Ryan said. “We are grateful for Hal’s courage and determination, and we wish him the best in retirement.”
English said he is proud of the chamber’s accomplishments during his tenure.
“I am extraordinarily proud of the work we have achieved together as a Chamber community in the last five years,” English said. “From the return to in-person events to the deployment of a new brand, CRM and member portal to the launch of the first Young Entrepreneur’s Academy in our state, the Chamber has delivered results for our members time and time again.”
“Though I am looking forward to retirement, I know I will miss the people — the board, the staff, and the members who make our chamber great,” he said.
English was Robbinsville’s director of economic and community development from 2017 to 2020. He also is a former member of the Robbinsville Township Planning Board and the Economic Development Advisory Committee.
He also served as business administrator, director of technology and economic development, as well as acting mayor of Hamilton Township, where he played an integral role in the development of the Hamilton Marketplace retail center.
English was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Robbinsville Township Council and later won election to a full four-year term.
