The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board of Directors at its December 10 meeting at Community Bank of Elmhurst approved the hiring of Elmhurst resident Jennifer Veremis as President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025.
Veremis is ECCI’s current Director of Member Services, an elected Elmhurst City Council First Ward Alderman and a small business owner and small business coach.
Veremis will succeed retiring 25-year President and CEO John Quigley, who in 2025 will serve in the new position of ECCI’s Director of Marketing and Communication.
“I first envisioned this succession on the night that I met with Jennifer nearly two years ago to discuss her passion for helping small businesses and working for a not-for-profit organization,” Quigley stated, “and I am thrilled to pass our Chamber’s torch on to the next generation.”
“Her knowledge of the Elmhurst business community as both an entrepreneur and coach, and experience working with governmental bodies and elected officials at local, state and federal levels are invaluable assets,” stated Quigley.
While other women have served as ECCI’s Executive Director, Veremis is the first female President and CEO in the Chamber’s 106-year history.
“I am honored to take on this role,” Veremis stated. “As a dedicated long-time Chamber member, small business owner and Elmhurst resident, I am excited to work with our Board of Directors and members to achieve even greater things for our Chamber and the business community.”
Her hiring completed a year’s succession planning by both ECCI’s Board and Executive Committee, led by 2024 Chair Colin Dalough of Endeavor Health, in vetting an in-house candidate rather than undertake a Board-directed search or contract with a search firm.
“Jennifer will hit the ground running with a vital knowledge of our Chamber’s culture and history,” stated Dalough. “She is the perfect person to lead our organization to new heights.”
In her role as Chamber President and CEO, Veremis will represent the business interests of ECCI members with the United States Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Chamber of Commerce and Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
Veremis will network with chamber peers through her activities in the Association of Chamber of Commerce (ACCE) Executives, Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce (IACCE) Executives and West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Veremis also will represent ECCI on both the City of Elmhurst’s Economic Development Commission and the Elmhurst City Centre Board of Directors as an Ex-Officio member, on the Elmhurst Business Alliance, with the Spring Road Business Association and more.
Veremis has served as ECCI’s Director of Member Services since March of 2024 after spending six months as a contracted membership recruiter.
Veremis has represented Elmhurst’s Ward 1 on the City Council since July of 2020, with her current four-year term expiring in 2027. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Development Planning & Zoning Committee (DP&Z), pending a new Mayoral assignment for 2025.
As a Ward 1 Alderman, Veremis also serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Elmhurst City Centre Board of Directors. She served as an elected City Centre Board member from September of 2019 to July of 2020 as a business owner in downtown Elmhurst.
Veremis as been the President of ECCI member Go.Get.Her., Inc., since she founded the small business coaching and consulting firm in May of 2019 and was the President of former Chamber member The Beauty Lounge in downtown Elmhurst from May of 2004 to January of 2021.
Her volunteer activities include the United Service Organization (USO) O’Hare Center, As Good As Gold Golden Retriever Rescue of Illinois and Safe Haven Dog Rescue.
Established in 1918, the Chamber’s mission is to promote an environment that creates succes for local businesses and our community.
