PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nathan Dorsey, Board Chair, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce (308) 237-3101 | board@kearneycoc.org

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Kearney Area Chamber Announces Julie Snyder as Next President & CEO

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KEARNEY, NE – July 17, 2026 – The Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Julie Snyder as the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer. Snyder will begin on August 24, 2026, leading Nebraska’s third-largest chamber and one of the region’s respected business advocacy organizations.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors and our membership, I am thrilled to welcome Julie,” said Nathan Dorsey, Board Chair. “Following a comprehensive national search, Julie stood out for her experience, vision, and collaborative spirit. We are confident she will build on the Chamber’s strong foundation and lead us into an exciting next chapter.”

Snyder brings extensive chamber of commerce and business advocacy leadership experience, including a proven record of membership growth, community engagement, and organizational excellence. She is eager to plant roots in Kearney and work alongside the region’s business community.

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“I am honored to join the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and grateful for the trust placed in me,” Snyder said. “Kearney has remarkable momentum, strong business leadership, and a clear sense of identity. The Chamber’s 5-Star Accreditation reflects exceptional professionalism, and I’m excited to build on that strength with fresh ideas, strategic focus, and collaboration.”

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The national search was conducted with Waverly Partners, a Ward Howell company specializing in chamber of commerce and nonprofit leadership recruitment.

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“We are grateful to Waverly Partners for their expertise and professionalism throughout this process,” Dorsey added. “Their work ensured access to a strong, diverse field of candidates.”

The Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce represents approximately 900 member businesses and organizations across the region. The Chamber is 5-Star Accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a distinction held by only a small percentage of chambers nationwide, and serves as the unified voice for commerce and community advancement in Buffalo County.

 

Members and community partners will have upcoming opportunities to meet Snyder and welcome her to Kearney, with details to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.kearneycoc.org or call (308) 237-3101.

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Julie Snyder BIO

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Julie Snyder serves as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, bringing more than three decades of experience in chamber leadership, business advocacy, strategic planning, and organizational management. She will join the Kearney Area Chamber in August 2026, becoming the leader of Nebraska's third-largest chamber and one of the state's few 5-Star Accredited chambers.

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Throughout her career, Julie has built a reputation for strengthening organizations, cultivating business relationships, and leading chambers through periods of growth and transformation. Prior to joining the Kearney Area Chamber, she served as President & CEO of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce in North Texas, where she guided the organization through significant operational changes, strengthened partnerships with major employers and regional economic development organizations, expanded advocacy initiatives, modernized member engagement, and played a key leadership role in the $1.3 million comprehensive headquarters renovation. Under her leadership, the Chamber maintained strong financial performance despite substantial organizational restructuring and declining revenue streams, exceeding budget projections through disciplined fiscal management.

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Before Richardson, Julie spent more than a decade as President & CEO of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau in Texas. During her tenure, she doubled membership revenue, launched the Chamber's Government Affairs Committee and Political Action Committee, led a complete organizational rebrand, developed innovative business programs and leadership initiatives, strengthened advocacy efforts, and secured funding to relocate the Chamber's offices without impacting member investments.

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Julie also held executive leadership positions with the California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers' Association, where she directed multi-state membership, board relations, strategic partnerships, and association operations for a decade. Earlier in her career, she served in leadership roles with the Roseville Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau of Central/Northern Arizona, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, building a broad foundation in membership development, communications, public relations, advocacy, and event management.

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A lifelong chamber professional, Julie is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Organization Management (IOM), a Certified Tourism Executive (CTE), a graduate of the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) Academy, and an alumna of Leadership Reno. She has remained actively involved in numerous professional organizations throughout her career, including the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Texas Association of Business, and Rotary International, where she served as a club president and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

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An accomplished speaker, facilitator, and strategic planning leader, Julie has presented at chamber conferences and business events across the country, helping organizations improve governance, membership growth, advocacy, and operational effectiveness. She is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, practical approach to problem-solving, and commitment to building strong business communities.

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At the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Julie is focused on strengthening the Chamber's nationally recognized 5-Star Accredited foundation while advancing economic opportunity, supporting local businesses, fostering regional partnerships, and ensuring the Kearney area remains one of Nebraska's premier places to live, work, and do business. She and her husband are excited to call Kearney home and look forward to becoming active members of the community.

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