Shannon Meyer

Shannon Meyer

The Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce has named a new chief executive officer, and its good news for women.

Shannon Meyer, who is currently serving as the chief executive officer of the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, has decided to return to her native Midwestern roots by accepting the position in Eastern Iowa. She will begin her new role on Dec. 1.

The post opened up in May when Lee Clancey, the city’s first female mayor, announced her retirement after serving the Chamber for six years.

“[Meyer] is excited to move back to the Midwest at a crucial time in our community — to help rebuild our community and region, better than ever,” Brad Hart, chairman of the CEO Search Committee, wrote in an e-mail to chamber members this morning. “We look forward to not only bringing her experience and energy to our organization, but to the Corridor. Meyer will be in Iowa in November, we look forward to introducting her to the Chamber and our community at that time.”

Meyer joined the chamber team in Melbourne in September 2005. Prior to that position, she served as the president and chief executive officer for the Twin Cities North Chamber in Mounts View, Minn. She has also been an adviser, presenter and participant in numerous professional organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, U.S. Chamber Institute for Organizational Management, and United Way Emerging Leaders.

Meyer is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and holds a degree in public communications. She was hired to lead the Melbourne-based chamber before she turned 30, an accomplishment that led to her being named as one of four of the Florida community’s brightest leaders under the age of 40.

When the Florida Chamber was named as one of the 50 most influential businesses in its area, Meyer was credited with bringing “innovation, vision and leadership while facilitating staff and volunteer committees involved in advocacy, training, education and development.” She also won praise for initiating a new committee comprised of local multi-cultural business leaders to address diversity issues, training and communications needs throughout the county.

“I believe that women have the potential to be the kind of leaders who will shift paradigms, encourage and mentor others and celebrate diversity,” Clancey said during the 2007 Women’s Equality Day celebration in Cedar Rapids. “It’s long past time for equal representation with women at the political table, in corporate American board rooms and in leadership positions at all levels. Not only are women wanted to run the nation, they are desperately needed to run it in order to bring important issues to the forefront.”