Troy Chamber President Michele Hodges Resigns to Lead Belle Isle Group

The following information is from a press release submitted by the Troy Chamber of Commerce.

The Troy Chamber of Commerce is commencing a formal search process for a new president after Michele Hodges, who has served as president for the past 11 years, resigned to accept a newly-created position as president of the Belle Isle Conservancy in Detroit.  

“I am incredibly thankful for the friendships, opportunities and experiences I have enjoyed at the Chamber," Hodges said about her 11 years at the Troy Chamber. "I couldn’t be more proud of our accomplishments together, as a team, and as a community that sincerely cares about the creation of a vital, healthy future.  I wish the people of Troy the greatest success, and always will look fondly upon the time I spent here.”

Hodges will remain in her role at the Chamber until early January 2013 to help ensure a smooth transition, according to Chamber board member John Tagle, of John Tagle Architects, who is chairing the search committee.

Joining Tagle on the search committee are Chamber board members Scott Foster, president of Wellco Corporation, and Stephanie Bergeron, president of Walsh College. 

“Michele Hodges has shown great leadership as Troy Chamber president, and we are most grateful for the way she addressed opportunities and challenges that helped move forward the Chamber’s mission to help create long-term economic vibrancy, vitality and stability for Troy’s business community,” said Peter Arvant, Stark Reagan, P.C., the Chamber’s 2013 board chairman.

Search Committee Chair Tagle said: “Her replacement will have big shoes to fill, but it is a wonderful opportunity and I am sure we will have many excellent candidates to consider.”

According to Tagle, an orderly transition will occur thanks to Hodges’ agreement to remain with the Chamber until a yet-to-be-set date in early January. Among key issues currently being addressed by the Chamber is in its development of a business model to support operating expenses at the Troy Multi-Modal Transit Facility. 

Tagle is the Chamber board’s point person on that project as well.  “We will continue the business-model initiative without missing a beat and Michele’s involvement over the next several weeks will help ensure that occurs,” Tagle said.

The Belle Isle Conservancy focuses on issues of historic preservation, restoration and preservation of the natural environment, planning/funding improvements, recreational activities and marketing strategies for the park. 

The Troy Chamber represents approximately 700 businesses and serves as Troy's primary business information resource. Through hundreds of meetings and programs each year, it  works to help Troy businesses get and stay connected.