Brighton Chamber president announces retirement after more than 20 years
BRIGHTON — After 23 years running the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, Pam McConeghy has announced her plan to retire as president and CEO. She'll retire from the chamber in August.
"I hate to leave it all. It’s been such a passion," McConeghy, 70, told The Daily Wednesday.
She said she will continue to stay involved in the Brighton community and serve on several boards and committees, including the city's Downtown Development Authority, at least for now.
Taking her place at the chamber, Gavin Johnson, a former Brighton High School principal who retired earlier this year, will step into the position on July 29.
"I am deeply humbled and extremely excited to be selected as the next Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO," Johnson said in a release. "Filling Pam's shoes will be a challenge, but I promise that I will pour my heart and soul into this position and look forward to serving the business and civic interests of the community that I love."
McConeghy said she'll stay involved with the chamber's foundation and continue to serve on boards and committees until terms end or she decides to move on. Beyond being a DDA member, she currently serves Explore Brighton Howell Area/Livingston County CVB, Work Skills, the Economic Development Council of Livingston County, the Livingston County Transportation Coalition, Housing Catalysts and Trinity Health's cabinet for the new hospital under construction.
She said she's retiring to get married in her "golden years" and spend time with her future husband. They reconnected at a high school reunion in the Chicago area. She said her fiancé is retiring as a professor at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska and will move to town.
"I didn't want to leave Michigan, my family, my connections and my church, so he's moving here," she said.
Among her accomplishments, she is proud of helping local businesses get through rough times.
"I'm proud of pulling through the recession and then also pulling through COVID and not really missing a beat," she said. "It was a wonderful experience to help the businesses during COVID, to help them with getting their grants. We were all just fighting the battle, fighting the good fight," she said. "That just really strengthened my resolve."
Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage
Some chamber accomplishments during her tenure have included the creation of the annual Smokin' Jazz and Barbecue Blues Festival and the Yellowstone Country Music Festival The chamber also moved into its location, at 218 E. Grand River Ave., which was originally the Mellus Hospital, in 2011.
Former Brighton mayor and former county commissioner Kate Lawrence, who is a chamber board member, said in the release McConeghy's "legacy will continue."
"Throughout Pam McConeghy’s tenure, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Chamber’s mission and values, fostering a culture of innovation, integrity, servant leadership and excellence," Lawrence said. "Under her guidance, the Chamber achieved significant milestones, expanded its reach, and forged enduring partnerships, leaving an indelible mark on the industry."
— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Brighton Chamber president to retire in August
