CANYS Chamber Executive of the Year Todd Tranum (left) shows off the award to 2014 Board Chair Jim Pullan of Jamestown Mattress and Immediate Past Board Chair Ken Shearer of Chautauqua Marina.

JAMESTOWN – Todd Tranum, the President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has been named the 2013 Chamber Executive of the Year by the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS).  The award was presented during the CANYS Annual Meeting in Albany in January.  The CANYS Chamber Executive of the Year is chosen in recognition of outstanding work and significant contributions made to the chamber community.

Tranum was nominated by 2013 CANYS President Jean McPheeters, who is also President of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.  In her nomination letter, McPheeters wrote, “Todd is a creative, tireless and insightful Chamber leader and a role model for Chamber executives.

Since July of 2008, Todd has served the dual role as President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST).  Prior to the two organizations joining forces, Todd was the Executive Director of MAST since 2000.

Under his leadership, MAST entered a partnership with Jamestown Community College to form the Manufacturing Technology Institute (MTI) as a means of increasing the regional pool of individuals trained in advanced manufacturing. Chautauqua County was the first county in New York State to become a part of the national Dream It Do It initiative to promote advanced manufacturing careers.  It has subsequently grown to encompass much of the Western New York region after being awarded a $500,000 multi-year Empire State Development grant. Todd now also serves at the President/CEO of Dream It Do It Western New York.

Todd worked closely in the past year with leaders from business, education and community based organizations to develop an Education Coalition in Chautauqua County. The Coalition is focusing on enhancing Science Technology Engineering and Math educational opportunities in the County.

In a public policy role, Todd advocates for projects in Chautauqua County that will reduce the cost of government and maintain and improve the tax base.

In addition to leading his Chamber, Todd has chaired the Western New York Chamber Alliance and currently serves on the CANYS Board of Directors. For the last several years he has chaired the CANYS Health Insurance Task Force.  In 2011, he wrote: “Business Associations and a Viable Insurance Exchange”; a White Paper on the Role of Associations in Health Care Reform.  Todd successfully represented the interests of all chambers throughout the state who provide their members with access to health insurance by ensuring that Chambers of Commerce could continue to play a role in distributing health insurance to their members.  In Chautauqua County, he spearheaded the Chamber’s successful transition to a private insurance exchange model well in advance of the implementation of the government exchange programs. The Chamber now offers products through both a private insurance exchange and the New York State of Health insurance exchange.

Mark Eagan, President of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce and 2014 CANYS President said, “Todd successfully wears many hats to ensure that his Chamber provides direct member benefits, while as the same time providing business leadership to advance the Chautauqua County economy and improve the quality of life for its citizens.  The Chamber Alliance of New York State is pleased to recognize Todd Tranum for his professionalism, leadership and accomplishment by presenting him with its Chamber Executive of the Year Award.

“It is an honor to receive this award.  I see it as a reflection of the team I have around me. The accomplishments that are being recognized through this award could not have been done without a strong team at the Chamber and Manufacturers Association, a solid board of directors, and a supportive family,” stated Tranum.