Regional Chamber names new leader [The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind.]

May 29--The Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana has named John Gerni as its new executive director, according to a news release.

Gerni is expected to assume his new position July 16. He currently serves as a regional vice president of state relations for the American Council of Life Insurers, where he has worked since 2003. Before that he represented Lincoln National Corp. where his duties included management of legislative and regulatory initiatives. Gerni also directed the Government Affairs Division of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce 1987-1990.

"We are pleased that John accepted the challenge to lead the Regional Chamber," said Keith Busse, board chairman, in the statement, "as his track record of advocacy in managing projects in a number of venues will allow the Regional Chamber to build upon its success of the past two years."

Gerni has served as a director on several community organizations in northeast Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University and has a bachelor of arts in telecommunications with a minor in economics. He and his wife, Karen, have two grown children and three grandchildren.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has already achieved great success in the past two years," Gerni said in the release. "I am anxious to hit the ground running in working with our partners in making northeast Indiana a premier region for employers and employees to thrive and prosper."

Gerni replaces Matt Bell, who became president of Ivy Tech Corporate College in April.

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