Chamber Executive Team Named

August 16, 2010

The Board of Directors of the Quad Cities Chamber is pleased to announce that Tara Barney has been named Chief Executive Officer of the newly-merged Chamber and Rick Baker has been named the Chamber's President and Chief Operating Officer. Chamber directors Steven Bahls, John Roche and Ken Koupal made the announcement this afternoon after informing staff that Barney and Baker would join forces to lead the new organization.

"Retaining both Tara and Rick in executive roles is a significant statement of the board's commitment to balanced growth in the Quad Cities," said Steve Bahls, outgoing chairman of the Illinois Quad City Chamber. "Each has considerable talent and experience that can now be applied to directing chamber and economic development activity throughout the region. They will be an outstanding executive team to lead the Quad Cities forward."

Ken Koupal, chairman of the merged Quad Cities Chamber, applauded Barney and Baker for putting the merger ahead of individual interests.

"It's truly a credit to Tara and Rick that their commitment to the business community superseded their own interests. They wholeheartedly advanced the merger without regard for their careers and in so doing became role models for true regional thinking and collaboration," said Koupal.

Outgoing Iowa Chamber chairman John Roche said that the CEO and President positions play to the strengths of each individual. "With Tara's background in economic development and Rick's expertise in chamber operations, we have unbeatable talent and skills that align with our regional plan to grow the Illinois and Iowa Quad Cities area," said Roche.

We hope you will join us in congratulating and thanking Tara and Rick for accepting these leadership roles in the new organization.