HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen congratulated Helena Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Cathy Burwell on her upcoming retirement. Burwell will cap an almost 23-year career with the Helena Chamber with her final day set for Friday, April 29.
“Cathy Burwell has had an incredible career with the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “Cathy has been a staple in the Helena community, a friend to Helena-area businesses, and a mentor to Chambers across the state. We will miss her dedication to improving Montana’s business scene, as well as her appearances on local TV, radio, and newspaper.
“Congratulations Cathy, and thank you for your dedication to Montana businesses.”
Burwell announced her retirement in March, thanking her team members and the Helena community, stating she has been “overwhelmingly fortunate to have worked with many talented and skilled staff members over these 2+ decades – every one of those team members had something special that made them crucial to the success of the Chamber.”
Burwell has joked she is ready to “just be Cathy instead of ‘Cathy with the Chamber.'”
Burwell’s retirement announcement can be found below.
In the spring of 1999, I received a call that would change my life and my career. Being selected as the President/CEO of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce was and has been an honor of a lifetime. From then until now (23 years) I have enjoyed my service to the Helena Chamber and this fantastic community immensely. I have been overwhelmingly fortunate to have worked with many talented and skilled staff members over these 2+ decades – every one of those team members had something special that made them crucial to the success of the Chamber. I also have been blessed with amazing Board members, phenomenal volunteers and the experience of working in the greatest community in Montana! I want to thank each and every one of our members for their ongoing support. To say I’ve enjoyed my time at the helm of this great chamber, is an understatement. Yet, eventually, all good runs come to an end, and today, I’m announcing that I will be retiring and the end of my tenure as President/CEO of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce will be April 29th, 2022. In the meantime, I will ensure that the chamber turns over to new leadership in a prepared and timely manner. I am confident that the excellent Board of Directors in place at the chamber will ensure the selection of a great new CEO that will lead to even greater accomplishments and excellence for the chamber.As I make this announcement, the Chamber Board is beginning an appropriate process to select the next leader who I am sure will keep the chamber relevant and essential to business. Details on the search will be released soon by 2022 Chairman, Byron Stahly. Thank you all for the great honor of leading the Helena Chamber.
Cathy Burwell, President/CEO Helena Area Chamber of Commerce