Fort Wayne Chamber Announces Kristine Foate as New President / CEO

NEWS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY: April 22nd at 2 p.m.

Chamber of Commerce Building ~ 826 Ewing Street

Media are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend, please request a press kit by contacting Nicole Wilkins: (260) 424-1435 or direct (260) 414-1160.

April 22, 2008, Fort Wayne, Ind. -The Board of Directors of the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce has announced that Ms. Kristine G. Foate will be the new President/CEO of the organization, effective May 15, 2008. The Board is pleased to welcome Ms. Foate to the Chamber after a thorough six-month selection process.

"This is a pivotal time in the Chamber's legacy and the Board has full confidence that Kristine Foate is exactly the right person to lead us into the next chapter," according to Don Schenkel, Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors. "With her impressive credentials and demonstrated community involvement, she will provide the inspired leadership that our organization needs."

Ms. Foate is an award winning professional with more than 20 years of leadership experience in radio, television and publishing. Most recently, she has held positions as President and CEO of Summit City Radio Group, Senior Vice President of Operations for Pinpoint Publishing and Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, she was named Radio Ink's 50 Most Influential Women in Radio. Kris was also recognized as an ATHENA Award® nominee in 2006.

Kris takes her responsibility to the community seriously. She is active in United Way of Allen County and is a member of the Rotary Club of Fort Wayne. Kris also serves on numerous boards including Leadership Fort Wayne, Artlink, and Erin's House and is the Chair of Invent Tomorrow. She is a graduate of the Leadership Fort Wayne class of 2006 and holds a B.S. in Economics from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin. "Kris Foate knows our people and organizations, has experienced the challenges we face and believes in the possibilities for our community. She is committed both to the bottom line and to the common good," adds Don Schenkel.

"After moving to Fort Wayne in 2004, I quickly developed a passion for this community," commented Kris. "I am thrilled to live and work in Northeast Indiana and look forward to building upon the great efforts of all those associated with the Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce."