Cincinnati USA Chamber President Michael Fisher To Explore Next Chapter In Stellar Career; Board Names Committee Leadership For National Search For Replacement

Chamber President Michael Fisher To Explore Next Chapter In Stellar Career; Board Names Committee Leadership For National Search For Replacement

Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2005 – Michael Fisher, president of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, informed the Chamber Executive Committee and the Chamber staff Monday that he plans to explore new leadership opportunities at the end of his five-year agreement in January, 2006.

The Chamber's Executive Committee will soon form a committee to conduct a national search for a replacement. It will be headed by board members Janet B. Reid, principal partner of Global Lead Management Consulting, 2004 board chair, and Mark J. Jahnke, president of Katz Teller Brant & Hild and general counsel to the Chamber. Current board chair George Schaefer Jr., president and CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp, 2006 chair Charlotte Otto, global external relations officer at P&G and 2007 board chair John Hayden, president and CEO of Midland Co., will actively participate in the search process.

Other Chamber board members and/or community leaders who will participate in the search process will be announced at a later date.

"I feel great about our Chamber as an important leadership organization for the three-state, 15-county region we call Cincinnati USA, and for our talented staff and outstanding volunteers. I'm proud of the progress we have made," the 46-year-old Fisher said. "As I complete my five-year commitment to the Chamber, I look forward to my next challenge. I'll explore new leadership opportunities, most likely in the corporate, private equity and entrepreneurial sectors."

"I have loved working on behalf of our business community and leading our Chamber," Fisher added. "Like so many others, I strongly believe Cincinnati USA's stock is on the rise. I look forward to continuing to invest my energy and resources in new ways to add to our region's bright future."

Fisher, who came to the Chamber from the private sector in January, 2001, said he will work as closely with the board and the search committee as they desire over the next six months to ensure a smooth transition of Chamber leadership. He added he was not comfortable pursuing his next opportunity in the private sector while representing the interests of 6,000 member companies as Chamber president.

"The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is a much stronger organization due to Michael's collaborative style and performance-driven leadership," said board chair Schaefer. "We are very confident that we will be able to attract extremely qualified candidates to lead the Chamber going forward."

Otto, the incoming 2006 chair, noted the Chamber has an established board continuum in place, a solid strategic plan for the future, very clear annual goals and strong staff leaders – all products of Fisher's commitment to the Chamber's strategic direction and future growth.

"We are absolutely pleased with Michael's leadership of the organization, and we plan to build on his commitment to performance management, strategic vision, economic inclusion and collaborative approaches to regional, national and global opportunities," Otto said. "We expect the next five years to be a continuation of the progress the Chamber has made under Michael's focused and dedicated leadership."

While a national search will be aggressively pursued, board leadership confirmed that it will consider internal candidates and is eager to receive strong applicants from the immediate region.

"The Chamber has the utmost responsibility to find the most qualified candidate to serve in this critical leadership position for this region's premier business membership organization," said Reid, the first female and African American to lead the Chamber, the nation's fifth largest. "We are committed to finding the right person to build on the success we have enjoyed under Michael's leadership."

Fisher's tenure as Chamber president has been marked by dynamic leadership since assuming the post in late January, 2001, including:

• Leading the development of a new regional brand, "Cincinnati USA: All together surprising," and adopted a new corporate identity– the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber – which reflects the overall regional brand and has been brought to life in the newly refurbished Chamber office space.
• Formation of accelerated economic development initiatives with a focus on growing minority enterprises and high-tech firms – the Minority Business Accelerator and CincyTechUSA, respectively – which work under the umbrella of the Cincinnati USA Partnership, the regional economic development initiative supported by the Chamber.
• Chairing a successful United Way campaign, raising $60.5 million, with his wife Suzette in 2003.
• Hosting a foreign policy speech by President Bush at Union Terminal in 2002 and the U.S./Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) talks in February, 2003.
• Leading 20 area firms to explore growth opportunities in China in November, 2005.

After negotiating the sale of Premier to The ServiceMaster Co. in 1996, Fisher continued to lead the company until he engineered its sale to The Durr Group in 1999. He remains a principal in his family's Fisher Investment Group and currently serves on the boards of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Union Central Life Insurance Co.

A native of Cincinnati, Fisher graduated with distinction from Stanford University's economics program in 1981 and completed the Harvard Business School Owner/President Management Program in 1994. The Fishers – active in civic and Jewish community activities – live in Amberly village with their four children.

For more information, media should contact: Raymond L. Buse III. manager, public relations, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. 513.579.3194.

Media contact:
Raymond L. Buse III
Manager, Public Relations
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
300 Carew Tower, 441 Vine St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513.579.3194, 513.608.1604 cel.

###