Press Release Archive: 2010 | 2009 | 2008

Chamber Leader to Step Down

For immediate release:
June 22, 2010

Columbus, OH – Ty D. Marsh today announced his resignation as president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber. Marsh has held the position since December 2003.

“For more than six years I have enjoyed the honor and privilege of leading the Columbus Chamber toward its economic development mission,” said Marsh. “The professional challenges of leading this dynamic organization and preparing it to launch new initiatives through Columbus2020! have been fulfilling and rewarding. I have accomplished the goals I established when accepting this position and it is a good time to pursue new professional opportunities and challenges.”

Marsh believes that this is the appropriate time for a transition, as the Columbus Chamber takes on a new role under the community’s regional economic development strategy, Columbus2020! The Chamber will implement a new existing business strategy that will seek to understand, assist and advocate for existing businesses.

“With up to 80 percent of job growth originating from existing businesses, the new strategy is timely, needed and prudent,” said Marsh. “As implementation begins, it’s the right time for me to make a change. The Chamber can count on me to be helpful in its mission even as I work in other capacities.”

During his tenure with the Chamber, Marsh passionately advocated for and successfully pursued regional collaboration as the driver for economic development. The Chamber now holds a contract with 22 local cities and counties, through the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange, which provides unprecedented marketing and business attraction and retention collaboration. This regional partnership has resulted in numerous successes for the region including the retention of thousands of jobs at DSCC and expansions at NetJets and JPMorgan Chase. In addition, the Chamber and Marsh received numerous awards and recognitions including Chamber of the Year (CEO Magazine), Regional Leader of the Year (MORPC) and the highest rankings among polls of regional CEOs, elected officials and civic leaders.

Jack Partridge, chair of the Columbus Chamber Board of Directors and president, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., credits Marsh with positioning the Chamber to lead the new existing business strategy. “Ty’s leadership, credibility and trusted relationships resulted in successes for the Chamber and our region. On behalf of the board of directors, we appreciate his tireless efforts to advance the region’s growth and prosperity,” said Partridge. “His work will benefit the Columbus regional economy for years to come.”

Marsh will conclude his work at the Chamber in July. Over the next year, he will play a leadership role in preparing Columbus for its bicentennial in 2012. In this voluntary position, Marsh will chair a leadership team to ensure that the community moves forward on implementing the 2012 Bicentennial Commission report.

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