HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Megan Archer, a Parkersburg native, has been named the next President and chief executive officer of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit association that is dedicated to promoting economic growth and improving the business climate in Wayne and Cabell counties.
Archer will assume her role Dec. 2, and replaces Tricia Ball, who left the position to go work for Marshall University’s iCenter as executive director.
Archer said she was excited for Tricia but also excited for the opportunities the role has to offer and that she has already been thinking about things that can be done while she is in the role.
“Also, excited about what seems like an incredible opportunity,” Archer said. “So, I’ve just sort of started thinking of all of these ideas and the positive impact that we can continue to make in a role like this and just really feeling that build of excitement.”
Before being named president and CEO, Archer worked as a Digital Marketing and Media Manager for the Marshall Health Network, where she led digital marketing and media campaigns for a $1.7 billion healthcare system which helped build their brand visibility and their organizational profile.
And before assuming her role, she said that she has not only been putting the final touches on her old job but also getting ready for a busy chamber year.
“So, really just getting my game face on, getting ready for what is going to be a really busy chamber year,” Archer said. “Just, very much excited and looking forward to continuing to have the chamber be that driving force for economic growth, business development and community engagement.”
She said that the chamber has the potential to continue playing a big role in attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones, which is something she is looking forward to continuing when assuming the position.
“So, it’s hard not to be excited to know that I’m going to have a role to play in nurturing that potential and continuing to build those partnerships with our local government, with our intuitions of higher learning, just to drive innovation and to make sure that were doing the things that our business community needs that will benefit our region,” Archer said.
She said the application process for the role was competitive but had a quick turnaround.
And despite the competitiveness, she said it was still a great process.
“So, it’s been a surreal, exciting process, but I really feel that people will continue to see the energy and the momentum that the Huntington Chamber has seen in recent years,” Archer said. “My vision is to continue making the chamber a dynamic, engaging hub for business that they would want to be a part of this.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Marshall University in 2010 and a master’s degree in Corporate Media from Marietta College in 2012.
Archer has also worked as the Communications Coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Education and from 2013 to 2020 she worked in the Marshall University Communications Department where she advanced to Assistant Director of Communications. She has also served the community in several different ways; right now, she currently is the Communications Office on the Board of Directors for The Junior League of Huntington and was a part of the inaugural Leadership Huntington Class of 2023-2024 that was offered through the Chamber of Commerce.
Barry Burgess, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce said in a press release “On behalf of the Board, we are excited to welcome Megan. She brings invaluable experience and enthusiasm, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have in leading the Chamber as it continues to advocate for businesses in Cabell and Wayne counties.”