Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Heath Mello
Merger Sets Course for Enhanced Community Growth
At the 2024 Mid-Year Meeting, Chris LaFerla, President & CEO at the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce and The 712 Initiative, provided an informative update on the merger between the two organizations. The theme of the meeting was “Strengthening Our Community Together.”
LaFerla expressed heartfelt appreciation for the dedication and support from the two boards of directors, his team, and the community. He emphasized that their collective passion for strengthening Council Bluffs has been instrumental in navigating through the complex merger process. He also showed appreciation to the community’s engagement, stating, “The amount of support, words of encouragement, and offers of help that I have received has been overwhelming.”
LaFerla then delved into the merger timeline, explaining the critical steps taken since the announcement in October. This included the hiring of the new CEO, the formation of a joint merge committee, and the commencement of the due diligence process. Voices were heard and considered at stakeholder meetings held across the community. The merge committee is now working on recommendations to legally merge the two organizations.
Community concerns were then addressed about the merger’s duration and process. LaFerla clarified that the meticulous process is designed to ensure the new organization’s legal, financial, and functional stability.
12 Themes
From the stakeholder meetings, LaFerla reported that there were about 12 themes that emerged. Most notably, stakeholders desired mission clarity, improvement in program quality, and a more collaborative role for the new organization in addressing broader community challenges.
LaFerla expressed optimism about Council Bluffs’ future, sharing the community’s sentiment of being on the cusp of something great. He reinforced the importance of partnerships and collaboration. Focusing on impact and quality, and building a dedicated team to drive the new organization’s mission is a priority.
Looking forward, the next six months to a year will see the new organization focusing on foundational work.
This includes:
- legal considerations
- team integration
- developing a clear organizational structure
- creating a culture focused on community impact
- establishing a new strategic plan
Branding, website rebuilds, and changes to programs will be addressed during the strategic planning phase.
As part of the Greater Omaha Metro, Council Bluffs plays a significant role. LaFerla highlighted the need for stronger partnerships across the river, as this collaboration will be essential for the success of the new organization and the continued growth and development of the community.
Keynote Address
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Heath Mello, delivered the keynote address and noted Council Bluffs is a critical part of the future of the Omaha metro area. Mello stressed that now is the time for stronger partnerships across the river. “The regional partnership between the Greater Omaha Chamber and the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce couldn’t be stronger,” said Heath Mello, President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “Our two communities have been interwoven with each other through our shared workforce, infrastructure, and businesses for generations and we have a tremendous opportunity to create more prosperity together in the years ahead.”
As the merger moves forward the team is ready and open for business. The merged team is committed to serving the community and helping Council Bluffs grow and thrive.
