Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce Announces New Executive Director

The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that they have named Lori Wilkerson-Hilliard as the new Executive Director of the Chamber. She will be replacing current Executive Director Terri Stramba, who has held the position for the last three years.

“The decision to leave the Chamber to focus on the recent expansion of my family business has been a difficult one, as I love this job,” Stramba said. “However, knowing that Lori shares my passion for the community and the mission of the Chamber makes it easy to move from leading the Chamber to being an active Chamber member. Lori has exciting ideas that will challenge, change and shape the Chamber so that it will exceed the needs and expectations of its members and the community.”

Lori Hilliard has been a resident of Ellwood City for over 10 years and has been supportive of the Chamber in a variety of ways. Most recently, she was Terri Stramba’s Executive Assistant. Hilliard was also on the Board of Directors of Ellwood City Revitalization for two years. She currently owns her own business, Hilliard Copywriting, and has been instrumental in reviving the Chamber’s newsletter. Hilliard was also on the Board of Directors of Ellwood City Revitalization for two years. She has a BA in English from Allegheny College and McGuffey High School in Claysville, Pennsylvania and was a biotech recruiter for a number of years.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be instrumental in adding valuable programs and educational opportunities to our members while promoting business growth in Ellwood City and the surrounding area,” Hilliard said. “I look forward to fulfilling the needs of our current membership while spearheading a push for new members in 2015. I believe passionately in the Chamber and its capacity to enhance the economic and business climate of our area. I’m confident the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to grow and exceed the expectations of our membership in the coming years.”

Terri Stramba will step down from her role as Director on December 8, 2014 at the Chamber’s Annual Holiday Meeting, when Lori Hilliard will step into that role.

“Terri has prepared me in so many ways to take the helm of the Chamber and steer it in new directions,” Hilliard said. “I know the Directors join me in wishing her all the best in her new endeavors. She will be sorely missed.”

The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce has over 200 active member businesses working toward economic and business success. The Chamber serves Ellwood City, Wampum, Wayne Township, Koppel, Marion, North Sewickley, Franklin and Ellport areas. For more information, contact the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce at info@ellwoodchamber.org or 724-758-5501.