The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce's next president and CEO comes from within.
Jessica Linder Gallo has served as the Chamber's vice president of operations since January 2023. Before that, she led the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Gallo takes on her new role effective immediately. She will also serve as the head of the CEO Council.
"I was raised in a family with a rich history of entrepreneurship here in Central Illinois," Gallo said in a prepared statement. "I believe these organizations are vital to business growth and development in the greater Peoria region and will only become more valuable as we work to increase tangible benefits and services that we can provide businesses and continue our collaborative work to strengthen the region."
As VP of operations, Gallo wrote the grant that landed the Chamber and CEO Council $500,000 for regional talent attraction and placemaking initiatives.
Gallo has a B.S. in Business with a major in Hospitality Leadership from DePaul University and a Masters of Political Science focused in Applied Community and Economic Development from Illinois State University.
Outgoing Chamber head Joshua Gunn is leaving for a job in Arizona after four years in Peoria.
A press conference on the transition is scheduled for June 21.
