C'town Chamber names Patricia Szarpa as executive director

The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce announced that Patricia A. Szarpa will be its executive director, effective April 1.

Szarpa joins the local chamber from her position as executive director of the Western New York Land Conservancy, which she has served since 2006, a media release issued Tuesday said.

She has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, marketing, outreach and business management and a record of community partnerships and volunteerism.

She led the nonprofit conservancy in developing a five-year strategic plan, the release said, and she increased membership and donor growth and retention.

Szarpa fills a vacancy left by Susan O'Handley, who resigned from the Cooperstown Chamber in October.

"Patricia Szarpa has an outstanding mix of skills, experience and personality to execute the goals of the Cooperstown Chamber and its members," Ken Meifert, chairman of the search committee, said in a prepared statement. "The board of directors is confident that Patricia will be a great fit, and that she will be very successful in leading our efforts to promote local business and tourism."

Szarpa and her husband, Darryl, had been planning a move to Cooperstown when the Cooperstown Chamber position became available, the release said.

"We actually had our honeymoon in Cooperstown," she said in the release. "My husband wanted his two 'loves' to meet _ his new bride and the Baseball Hall of Fame! Since then we have been here numerous times as our boys were growing up. It will be privilege to be a part of this community _ something we have talked about for a long time!"

Szarpa is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and a certificate in public relations.

She also holds an associate degree in business administration from Villa Maria College of Buffalo.

"I truly look forward to my new role with the Cooperstown Chamber and the opportunity to work with area businesses and residents in growing visibility, vibrancy and sustainability of the village, awareness and overall community pride," Szarpa said.

The Cooperstown Chamber, located at 31 Chestnut St., represents more than 400 members from central New York.

This year, the Chamber restructured its membership to lower annual dues while adding significant member benefits.