Furman has served as the Chamber’s senior vice president of state and federal relations for 13 years
DENVER – The Colorado Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors today selected Loren Furman to serve as its next president and CEO. Furman, currently a senior vice president for the Colorado Chamber, succeeds Chuck Berry who earlier this year announced his retirement effective December 31, 2021. Berry has served as Chamber president and CEO for 21 years.
The decision follows a selection process by the Colorado Chamber Executive Committee led by Chamber Board Chair Rachel Nance. The organization will undergo a transition process until Berry’s retirement date at the end of the year. Furman’s first day as president and CEO will be January 1, 2022.
“Identifying the next leader for the state’s business community was no small feat. It was critical to find the right person who can build on decades of legislative and regulatory success in Colorado,” said Nance, senior director of customer relations and strategic accounts for Xcel Energy. “We found the unique combination of vision and political prowess in Loren. Her successful track record and respected reputation as collaborator will propel the state chamber to a new level with the business community reaping the benefits!”
Furman has served as the Colorado Chamber’s senior vice president for state and federal relations since 2008, where she directs the Chamber’s legislative priorities and strategy. She has worked with employers of all sectors and sizes, local chambers, and industry groups to determine the most pressing policy issues facing business and has singlehandedly built coalitions on key legislation and topics, using her expertise to be a fierce advocate for employers. She has been at the forefront of every major business policy issue in Colorado for over a decade – from critical labor and employment issues to tax policy and health care, she’s had a hand in shaping legislation and rulemaking for the issues that matter to employers.
Furman has been widely recognized for her leadership and accomplishments as the voice of business at the Colorado state capitol. She was named one of Colorado’s “Most Influential Women: Up and Coming” by The Denver Post in 2012 and was named a “Top Business Newsmaker” in the Denver Business Journal Power Book Awards in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Her record of coalition building, legislative strategy and advocacy will be an asset to the Colorado Chamber’s membership and the broader business community as the state works towards economic recovery.
“I’m honored to have been selected to lead the Colorado Chamber at such a critical time,” said Furman. “The voice of business is key to ensuring the Colorado economy is poised to recover from the challenges of the pandemic – and the Chamber’s role of engaging with business leaders, lawmakers, and local communities is more significant than ever. I look forward to working with our members, state leaders, and Chamber staff to build on our important work.”
“This is a defining moment for business in Colorado, and I know the Colorado Chamber will be in good hands with Loren,” said Chuck Berry. “I consider her both a colleague and a friend, and I’m proud to have worked closely with her over the years. Our members have trusted Loren’s deep knowledge and strategic mindset to represent them at the Capitol for over a decade. I’m confident that she will continue the Chamber’s reputation as the powerhouse for the statewide business community. Loren’s depth of experience will undoubtedly position the Chamber for success, and I look forward to working with her on a seamless transition in the coming weeks.”
A headshot of Loren Furman for media use can be found here.
###
The Colorado Chamber of Commerce champions free enterprise, a healthy business environment and economic prosperity for all Coloradans. It is the only business association that works to improve the business climate for all sizes of business from a statewide, multi-industry perspective. What the Colorado Chamber accomplishes is good for all businesses, and that’s good for the state’s economy. It was created in 1965 based on the merger with the Colorado Manufacturers’ Association.