January 11, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Bauman, President
joeb@bbcc.com
248-430-7119
Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber names new board chair, elects new directors
Birmingham, MI – The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber recently appointed Annie VanGelderen as chair of its Board of Directors for 2023-24, as well as three new business leaders to its board of directors.
VanGelderen is president and CEO of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, and has served on the Chamber board since 2013.
Joining the board are Michelle Gleba Rafalski, Managing Partner of Gleba & Associates; Ellen Mahoney, Broker/Owner at RE/MAX Commercial Connection; and Bonnie Newcomer, President of Departure Travel Management.
Michelle Gleba Rafalski serves as Managing Partner at Gleba & Associates after previously holding the position of Operations and Marketing Manager. Upon joining the board, she said “I joined the Chamber in the summer of 2021, and there was something in the air because four different people from different parts of my professional life offered to bring me to a BBChamber event within weeks of each other! I was immediately welcomed at my first few events, and the relationships keep growing. I was thrilled to be asked to apply for this board position and look forward to being more involved with this Chamber.”
Ellen Mahoney’s experience with the chamber dates back to 2004. As a long time Chamber Member, Ms. Mahoney has been an active with many chamber programs and events and hopes to contribute a historical perspective and insight into the Chamber.
Bonnie Newcomer is active both within the travel community and the Birmingham/Bloomfield area. As a longtime board member of Delta Airlines, Ms. Newcomer brings a wealth of experience to the Chamber and hopes to get to know and connect with more local business owners.
“We are very excited to have Annie leading the board of directors for the next two years,” said BBCC President Joe Bauman. “ Her experience on the board, as well as her knowledge of our communities and the inner-workings of not for profit organizations makes her a perfect fit.
“And Michelle, Ellen and Bonnie all bring unique perspectives to the board of directors,” Bauman added. “The organization will be well served with the addition of these three quality business leaders.”
The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber is a membership organization dedicated to promoting economic development, strengthen the business climate and improve the quality of life in the six communities it serves – Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and Franklin.
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