The Riverhead Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director, the organization announced this afternoon.
Liz O’Shaughnessy succeeds Diane Tucci, who is leaving the position to pursue other opportunities, the chamber said in a press release.
“We want to thank Diane for her service over the last year and wish her the very best in her future endeavors,” chamber board president Bob Kern said.
Tucci, who was the executive director of the Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association, also worked temporarily as executive director for the chamber, a job she took on in spring 2018. Tucci, who resigned the BIDMA post in February, runs her own marketing and design agency and is seeking election to the Riverhead Town Board this year.
“We are very happy to welcome Liz as the new executive director and look forward to her leadership and fresh ideas as the organization continues to grow and improve.”
O’Shaughnessy, who lives in Laurel, will work full-time in the executive director’s post, Kern said.
O’Shaughnessy spent the last 10 years as executive director of Coloki Inc., a not-for-profit she founded in 2009. Under her leadership Coloki Inc, more commonly referred to as the Freeport Trailer, became a place where low-wage workers and immigrants could participate in a variety of programs while waiting for work as opposed to standing on street corners or in parking lots, according to a press release issued by the chamber.
She developed and implemented a number of programs including English classes; job skills trainings; worker health & safety workshops; nutrition education and fiscal responsibility seminars. Liz oversaw every aspect of the organization including fundraising, event planning, budgeting & bookkeeping, facilitating board meetings, volunteer recruitment, grant writing and more. Her passion, dedication and collaborative efforts with local government, law enforcement, community residents and other organizations has resulted in the only municipally sanctioned hiring site on Long Island.
Prior to her time in the non-profit sector, O’Shaughnessy worked as a stock trader for six years after graduating from Villanova University and was a principal owner of the landscape company Enchanted Acres Inc.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this chamber team that is so passionate about improving the quality of life for residents and businesses in this community. Riverhead is such a unique and special place due to its geographic location, rich history and wonderful diversity,” O’Shaughnessy said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help seek fresh ideas and solutions in leading the region forward towards economic and individual prosperity,” she said.
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