by Emily Hartwig
It’s no secret that Amy Price, vice president of operations at the Erie Regional Chamber, has a large fan base – and the president of that fan club is one of her co-workers, Rebecca Martin.
"Things are fast and furious at the Erie Regional Chamber and the eye of that tornado is Amy Price," said Rebecca Martin, vice president of the Erie Regional Chamber. "She is smart, generous, thoughtful, discerning and aware."
Although not originally from Erie, Price has shown great pride in being part of the Erie community. Her role at the Chamber has made her instrumental in the implementation of both the Erie Ambassadors and the Workforce of Choice Initiative. Martin attributes the success of these programs due in large part to Amy’s direction and expertise.
A journalism graduate of Ohio University, Price spent the early part of her career working in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio, where she gained experience in the areas of marketing, branding and public relations. But it was Price’s position as director of marketing and membership for the City Club of Cleveland where she found her ultimate calling and her true appreciation for civic involvement.
The City Club is the oldest continuous free speech forum in the county, and as a coordinator for these events, Price was surrounded by some of the world’s most influential leaders. It was through these encounters that Price experienced first-hand how ordinary and extraordinary people - regardless of race, religion, race or age - could leave their mark on the world.
Price has certainly left her mark. Through her involvement with the Workforce Choice Initiative, Price assists local companies with the recruitment and retention of diverse professionals and skilled trade workers. When employers recruit, they often need further support from the community in promoting Erie for the great place that it is. That’s where Erie Ambassadors comes in. Price built this program in order to grow knowledge, love and respect for Erie within its existing community. Concluding the current class of Erie Ambassadors, Price will celebrate graduating nearly 200 volunteers who love and outwardly serve as ambassadors for Erie. She has guided each and every volunteer through a nine-week training course and organizes five working committees to give volunteers the opportunity to continue to serve new members of the Erie community.
Price is no stranger to being involved herself. She serves as the board secretary for Junior Achievement of NWPA, fundraising chair for Hooked on Books, host committee for the American Heart Association’s 2007 “Heart Ball” and is the coordinator for the yep! Executive Coffee Talk Series. She has also served on the 2005 Heritage Weekend community outreach committee and as hospitality chair of the 2005 Gus Macker Tournament.
Her advice to all young professionals is “to get involved – in the trenches. Nothing is beneath you and the trenches are where you learn and prove yourself.”
It is without question that Price is an Erie gem. Martin put it best when she said: “it is Amy’s leadership, reasoned approach to critical community issues and her passion for what makes each person wonderful that sets her apart from her peers. She has the ability to make ideas real which demonstrates a pure celebration of all things Erie.”
