At its core, the Sheridan County of Commerce is all about making connections, says Jodi Hartley.

As the Chamber’s Marketing and Communications Director for the last seven years, Jodi has played a big role in making those connections – promoting the work of the Chamber and communicating what makes it so special. You likely encounter Jodi’s work on a weekly basis, ranging from Chamber social media posts and press releases to the Chamber Online and Member2Member newsletters and Community Perspectives columns in The Sheridan Press.

Below, Jodi shares her thoughts on her job and why she loves it so much.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do for the Chamber?

I grew up in Pennsylvania, and after spending 15 years in the South, I had the great fortune of moving to Sheridan in 2016 when my husband was promoted and transferred with the U.S. Forest Service. We have one daughter, Aubrey, who just finished eighth grade, and two spoiled dogs.

I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Saint Francis University. My career has centered around marketing and public relations, with roles at Saint Francis University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Appalachian State University. I’ve also served as training coordinator for the Saint Francis Small Business Development Center, business development coordinator for the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and as a newspaper reporter for the Morrisons Cove Herald.

As the Chamber’s marketing and communications director, I oversee all print and digital promotional materials, support the CEO with internal and external communications, implement member and public relations programs and manage the organization’s overall communication strategy. I also assist fellow Chamber staff with their communications and marketing needs for individual projects.

How long have you been serving in your role for the chamber? What other roles (if any) have you filled for the Chamber?

I began working at the Chamber in January 2017 as a part-time administrative specialist. Nine months later, I transitioned into my current role as marketing and communications director.

What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time with the Chamber?

There’s so much to be proud of as part of the Chamber! We have a dedicated, hard-working staff, incredible volunteers, outstanding local businesses and organizations and a truly wonderful community. It’s hard to choose just one accomplishment.

What brings me the most joy is seeing us make meaningful connections, whether that’s linking someone with the right business, organization, person or resource. In my eight years here, we’ve made thousands of these connections. Over the Chamber’s 112-year history, I’d imagine it’s in the millions. At its core, that’s what the Chamber is all about -connections.

What project are you working on right now that you’re most excited about?

I’m excited about two projects right now…our new blog and exploring the use of AI to streamline our work and increase efficiency.

We were fortunate to bring (Office Resource Specialist) Stephen Dow onto our team, and he’s already produced excellent content for the blog. He brings fresh ideas that are helping us turn it into a valuable, engaging resource for our members and the community.

I’m also diving into how AI can support our operations. I’ve attended several training sessions and have been amazed at how it can help manage day-to-day tasks, freeing up more time for us to focus on what we love most…engaging with our members, visitors and the community.

Why do you work/volunteer for the Chamber and what’s your advice to others who want to get involved?

I absolutely love this community and wholeheartedly believe in the Chamber’s impact…economically, socially and civically. My role is incredibly fulfilling, and I truly can’t imagine doing anything else.

I strongly encourage everyone in the business community to get involved with the Chamber. The connections you’ll make, the professional development opportunities and the chance to influence your community’s future are all invaluable. We offer many ways to engage, so I always recommend stopping by to chat with a staff member. We’d love to help you find the right fit based on your interests and goals.