The Lee’s Summit Chamber board of directors has announced Tim Arbeiter as the new president to lead the organization. Arbeiter will succeed Nancy Bruns upon her retirement from the organization effective June 30, 2016. Arbeiter has been serving as vice president of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce since 2006. The Cape Chamber represents 1,400 members and also contracts services for economic development and tourism.
The selection process began with the Chamber board of directors appointing a selection task force and facilitator who led discussions with board members, past chairs of the board and staff. The task force then launched a national search, reviewed all resumes submitted and selected their top choices to interview. The task force ultimately selected the best candidate to recommend to the board. On May 25, board members unanimously approved the hiring of Tim Arbeiter, who begins his duties on July 5, 2016.
“Our initial introduction to Tim was on paper through his resume, which left our entire team impressed and wanting to know more,” said Vic Cundiff, chair of the board. “The first interview left us amazed; Tim really set the bar high. His well-rounded experience and understanding of chamber, economic development, personal civic engagement, legislative issues, partnerships, events and community development made him a front-runner. By the end of the second interview it was his passion and caring heart that sealed the deal.”Arbeiter has been instrumental in many successful programs and endeavors in the Cape Girardeau area, including leading efforts for the county to be designated a Certified Work-Ready Community by the Missouri Governor. He has developed great partnerships in the area and looks forward to working with the Lee’s Summit Chamber and its various community partners. Arbeiter has served on multiple boards, including as past president of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri, and currently the secretary and co-chair of public policy for the Missouri Economic Development Council. He attained his Institute of Organization Management (IOM) designation from the U.S. Chamber in 2010 and his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential from the International Economic Development Council in 2013. Arbeiter also graduated the Leadership Missouri Program and is a past board member for the Cape Girardeau Public Schools Board of Education.
“I am elated and humbled to be selected by the board to be the next president of the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce. There are so many wonderful initiatives taking place within the Chamber, as well as the City of Lee’s Summit and I can’t wait to get started,” stated Arbeiter. “To follow in the footsteps of Nancy Bruns is a great honor and I look forward to working with the board, the members, staff, volunteers and partners to continue the significant momentum already underway. This opportunity is not only a great fit for me professionally, but personally, Lee’s Summit has so many great opportunities for my family,” concluded Arbeiter.
Arbeiter has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration/finance, as well as a Masters of Arts in guidance and counseling, both from Southeast Missouri State University. He is married to Pam and has two daughters Abigail (13) and Faith (9).