WICKER PARK — The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce has brought on a new executive director to lead the organization, it was announced Friday.
Originally from Los Angeles, Erik Harmon has lived in Wicker Park for close to three years and previously lived in the area from 2001 to 2007.
"It is a great neighborhood. I love the mix of people here and I am excited about being hands-on in our community," Harmon said at the chamber's holiday party last week.
Harmon's first day on the job is scheduled for January 5; he replaces Adam Burck, who resigned in June.
Prior to his new role, Harmon worked for Mayor Rahm Emanuel serving as Deputy Director of a three-year-long grant-funded "Innovation Delivery Team" and launched new programs to help small businesses.
One of Harmon's efforts was Up the Block, a partnership between the City of Chicago and property developers that seeks to encourage developers to revitalize vacant properties and provide reduced or free rent to small business owners on a short-term basis while longer-term tenants are sought.
Harmon, a self-described “highly action-oriented go-to operations professional," said that leading the chamber, which has about 400 members, will be a "great opportunity to actually make change at the local level."
Prior to working in the mayor's office, Harmon also worked for Chicago Public Schools serving as a budget analyst. Before entering the public sector, Harmon held stints in operations and marketing at Sears Holding and Pepsi.
In his new role, Harmon will be overseeing a staff of five employees and one intern at the chamber's office, 1414 N. Ashland Ave.
“I want local business owners to see the chamber as an invaluable neighborhood resource. If somebody is starting a new business and has questions like how to get capital or permits, the chamber is here to help,” Harmon said.
Harmon, who graduated from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2001, said his overall focus will be to strengthen economic development and his first objective is to "assess the organizational strengths and weaknesses, and refine or suggest changes where necessary. "
Chamber of Commerce's Board president Ginna Ryan helped to lead the seven-month search to find Burck's replacement.
“The WPB Chamber functions as a neighborhood ambassador. We are proud to have Erik at the helm," Ryan said.
David DeSanto, the Chamber board's vice president, said he believes Harmon has "a unique background that will lend itself to exactly what Wicker Park, Bucktown needs to march straight through 2015, to get back to the basics of helping the small business community."
For more information about the chamber, visit wickerparkbucktown.com
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