​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce has announced a new organizational plan to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen its commitment to delivering exceptional member experiences.

“Our new model realigns key leadership roles and adds a new full-time position to better support the Chamber’s mission and evolving strategic goals,” said Eric Spoonmore, President & CEO of the Chamber.

Effective immediately, the following organizational changes have been made:

• Katie Sensabaugh has been named Vice President of Operations and Membership. In this role, she will oversee all aspects of the Chamber’s membership experience, including recruitment, retention, and stewardship, while continuing to lead operational strategies for the organization.
• Christopher Emge has been promoted to Senior Director for Government and Community Relations. He will continue to lead the Chamber’s government affairs initiatives and will now oversee all aspects of the Chamber’s Success School programming, which serves over 4,200 local students.
• Stacia Briggs has been promoted to Member Services Manager. She will oversee volunteer management, operational tasks, and member experience duties.

To support the Chamber’s growing event portfolio, a new full-time Program Coordinator position has been created. Reporting to Communications and Events Director Kaytee Lorentzen, this role will focus on managing 60 events annually.

“Our team of extraordinary professionals continues to lead the way in designing innovative programs, business resources, and advocacy strategies that benefit not only our members but also the greater community,” Spoonmore said. “The Chamber’s new organizational plan puts us  in a strong position for continued growth and success as we commence our 110th year serving the business community.”
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For more information about the Chamber’s programs and initiatives, please visit ChamberBloomington.org.

​The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Kaytee Lorentzen, a dedicated professional with an extensive background in marketing and communications, has been named the new Director of Communications & Events. In her expanded role, Lorentzen will focus on executing strategies that will strengthen the Chamber's visibility, influence, and impact in the community. 

“Taking on the role of Director of Communications & Events is an exciting step for me," said Lorentzen. "I’m committed to building on what we’ve achieved at the Chamber, both in our events and our outreach. We have a great foundation, and I’m eager to contribute to our next chapter."

Since joining the Chamber in 2021, Lorentzen served as the Marketing & Communications Coordinator then as Marketing & Communications Manager earlier this year. Prior to working at the Chamber, her photography business was a Chamber member from 2016-2020. Lorentzen holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in photography from Ball State University. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in communications at Purdue University and expected to graduate this spring with a concentration in public relations and advertising along with a certificate in strategic communications management. In addition, Lorentzen is a graduate of the Indiana Chamber Executives Association’s Hoosier Chamber Academy.

“Kaytee Lorentzen has distinguished herself as a high-impact and valued resource to the Chamber and the members we serve,” said Chamber President and CEO Eric Spoonmore. “She is the perfect fit to lead the Chamber’s strategic communications, marketing initiatives, and event performance.” 
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Lorentzen’s new assignment with the Chamber is effective September 1st. 

Katie Sensabaugh was recently named the Director of the Chamber’s Foundation & Internal Operations for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. She will continue her role in the Success School, a division of the Chamber’s foundation working with community partners in both the education and business sectors of Monroe County to develop strong relationships with the students, teachers, and employers to positively impact the emerging talent and future workforce of our community. Sensabaugh will also oversee all financial activities, and its foundation.

“I am thrilled to continue my work at the Chamber as the Director of the Chamber’s Foundation & Internal Operations,” said Sensabaugh. I look forward to furthering the goals and missions of both the Chamber and its Foundation through effective programming and strong fiscal management.” 

Since joining the Chamber in 2021, Sensabaugh served as the Director of the Success School, and Membership Services Coordinator. She currently also serves as Chamber staff liaison to the Bloomington Women in Leadership group and Young Professionals Bloomington group. Sensabaugh’s previous roles include Program Director at Big Brothers Bigs Sisters of Northwest Ohio, Gemologist and Jewelry Designer for an independent jewelry store, and manager of a retail clothing store. She was recognized for her efforts to develop lasting professional relationships and provide excellent volunteer management and customer service to her clients. Sensabaugh received a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and a Certificate in Business Administration from Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington.

“Katie Sensabaugh continues to add value to our organization and the members we serve,” said Chamber President and CEO Eric Spoonmore. “She is the perfect fit to manage our internal operations while also advancing the Chamber’s Foundation and Success School programming to new levels.”
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Sensabaugh’s new assignment with the Chamber was effective April 1.

​Christopher Emge was recently named the Director of Advocacy & Public Policy for the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. As chair of the Chamber’s advocacy division, he will work with Chamber members to raise the collective voice of business and advance issues of importance to the business community at the city, county, state, and federal levels.
 
"It is an honor to continue my service for the Chamber in a new capacity as Advocacy Director,” said Emge. “I look forward to working closely with our members and elected officials to enhance the Bloomington-Monroe County quality of place that we all hold dear." 
 
Prior to becoming the new Director of Advocacy & Public Policy, Emge served for three years as the Principal of the Success School, a program of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. He also currently serves as a member of the City of Bloomington Parking Commission and as an advisor for the Indiana University School of Public Administration Fellowship program. Emge is a past recipient of Arizona State University’s Social Embeddedness Award and holds two degrees from Indiana University, including a Master’s in Public Administration.
 
“We are delighted that Christopher will be leading the advocacy efforts for the Chamber,” said Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Eric Spoonmore. “His decades of experience in the public and non-profit sectors combined with his deep knowledge of local issues will deliver significant value for our members.”
Emge’s new assignment with the Chamber is effective January 31.

Eric Spoonmore has been named the President and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Spoonmore formally accepted the offer extended by the organization’s board of directors. He will assume his new duties December 1, 2021. The announcement was made today by Chamber board chair Amy Somers Kopp.

Spoonmore currently serves as Monroe County Council President and as an Associate Director for Enrollment Management for the Kelley Direct MBA and MS Programs at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business in Bloomington. He received his Master’s degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Local Government Management and a Bachelor’s of Science is in Public Affairs at the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Spoonmore is resigning from the Monroe County Council effective November 30, 2021.

“It is an extraordinary honor to have been selected as the next President and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce,” said Spoonmore. “I am excited to begin this next phase of service in my career, and I look forward to working with the Chamber Board, our talented staff, and all our existing and future members to build upon the myriad successes achieved throughout our impressive 106-year history.” 

“Eric will bring a wonderful perspective to the Chamber gained from his vast experience in county government and experience at Indiana University,” said Somers Kopp. “We believe he is the perfect fit for continuing to keep the Chamber at the forefront of building a strong and stable business community in Monroe County.”
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The national executive search for The Chamber’s new President and CEO began in the summer of 2021 after Erin Predmore announced her impeding transition away from her role. Predmore will continue to lead the Chamber through the transition and will step down as President and CEO in December.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce welcomes Mary Lechner and Whitney Koelling from Indiana University's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Both Lechner and Koelling will be with the Chamber for two years. Lechner is the Vice Principal with the Chamber's Success School and working with Christopher Emge, Principal of the Success School. Koelling is the Public Policy Specialist for the Advocacy team and working with Mary Morgan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. 

​Mary Lechner is a first year MPA student at Indiana University's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She was born and raised in Indiana. Lechner attended Indiana University where she studied Sociology and Spanish. After graduating, Lechner served with AmeriCorps for two years as a college advisor for high school seniors where she worked with amazing students, many who were the first in their families to attend college. This experience fueled her passion in advocating for access to higher education and providing students with all the options and resources to be successful and pursue their passions. 
 
You can find Lechner spending her free time running and cycling around Bloomington or reading at a local coffee shop. 
 
Lechner is excited to partner with schools and meet the wonderful volunteers who make the work of the Success School possible. 

​Whitney Koelling joins the Chamber from Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) program. She is a Paul D. Coverdell Fellow who is using her experience from her Peace Corps service in the remote Pacific Islands of Samoa to work as part of our Advocacy Team. After having spent an extended period of time overseas, she is happy to call Bloomington her new home.

​Outside of work she loves to kayak on Lake Monroe, eat at many of Bloomington’s delicious local restaurants, and take her Rottweiler puppy to Switchyard Dog Park.