Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce names new CEO
Published at | Updated at
REXBURG — Longtime local businessman Ted Austin has been tapped as the next CEO of the Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Upper Valley native will officially begin leading the chamber on Tuesday, Jan. 19. He replaces Donna Benfield, who served as Chamber CEO for 20 years.
Chamber President Geoffrey Thomas made the announcement Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the monthly Chamber Board Meeting.
“We had a very deep and talented applicant pool, but Ted stood head and shoulders above it,” Thomas told EastIdahoNews.com. “He’s very familiar with eastern Idaho and Rexburg, he’s interacted extensively with the business community and he’s been heavily involved with the chamber. Plus, he’s very personable and articulate.”
Austin was among 35 local and national applicants for the position.
He applied when he heard Benfield was leaving, because of the positive experiences he’s had with the chamber. Austin had served as president of the Chamber of Commerce in 2011.
“I thought it might be something I would enjoy doing,” Austin said. “I also thought my marketing and communications skills would be a good fit for the chamber position.”
Austin will be leaving his position as communications manager for Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative in Ashton this month. He has also been working as the marketing and advertising manager for subsidiary Fall River Propane.
Previously, Austin owned and managed Q102-KCHQ FM radio in Rexburg for eight years. It was sold to Rich Broadcasting in 2011 and the station merged with KID-FM 96.1 to become River Country, according to a chamber news release.
“Having owned a business in Rexburg, it puts me in a unique position to understand the challenges that local small business have to deal with on a day-to-day basis,” Austin told EastIdahoNews.com. “My intention at the chamber will be to help all businesses grow in Madison County.”
Austin said his first order of business will be to digest two decades of experience and knowledge from Benfield and ensure the transition in leadership will be as seamless as possible.
Benfield has assumed a management position with Hawaii-based company Voices of Change. She works with Grammy-nominated Hawaiian performer LT Smooth as a promoter for motivational events to help at-risk kids.
“We are very grateful for the many years of dedicated leadership and service,” Thomas said. “Donna has been a huge advocate for Rexburg and the chamber. We are sad to see her leave, because she has been wonderful.