New Faces at Tempe Chamber of Commerce

Joanne Stockdale Named Business Development Director of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce hired Joanne Stockdale as its new Business Development Director in December. She will be responsible for the organization’s membership sector, overseeing its business support services and developing corporate partnerships.

Stockdale is an experienced business development professional with excellent communication skills and a strategic approach to her work. She has managed and directed a variety of fundraising responsibilities, including corporate sponsorships, individual giving and capital campaigns as well as volunteer management and recruitment of community and committee leaders.

“We are excited to welcome Joanne to our team,” said Anne Gill, president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber. “She has a great deal of experience and knowledge and will be a valuable asset as we grow our organization into a stronger advocate for the business community.”

Stockdale recently relocated to the East Valley from Michigan, where she implemented successful strategies in her director positions at Recovery Allies of West Michigan, Haggai Institute, the American Heart Association and Biblica.

Tempe Chamber of Commerce Hires Christopher Samuels as Communication Director

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce has named its new Communication Director.

Christopher Samuels started in the position last month and will be responsible for the media outreach and communications from the Tempe Chamber. He will disseminate information and educational programming to the business community.

“We are so pleased to announce the hiring of Chris,” said Anne Gill, president and CEO of the Tempe Chamber. “He brings experience and enthusiasm to the position and to our team. He wants to share the stories of Tempe businesses to help advocate for the growth and success of our community.”

Samuels graduated with a B.A. in both Communications and International Studies from the University of Utah. He has worked as a journalist with the Deseret News in Salt Lake City and the Utah Chronicle. He has received additional training in photojournalism and marketing.

Samuels also served as a Constituency Intern with Scotland’s Parliament in Edinburgh, where he worked with local and national government officials to resolve community issues.