Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce names new president

Published 9:09 pm Thursday, February 15, 2024

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Isle of Wight County’s Chamber of Commerce has named its new president and executive director.

According to a Feb. 7 news release, the chamber’s board of directors has appointed Marci Levine to the role.

“We very much appreciate the efforts and work put forth by former president, Jessica Jones-Healey, and look forward to continuing to support the local business community and continuing a trend of successful growth of our chamber under Marci’s leadership,” said board of directors chairman Joey Bikkers.

The new role is a homecoming for Levine, who prior to her 12 years as executive director of the Hampton Roads chapter of the American Institute of Architects, served from 2007 to 2009 as manager of the Smithfield Farmers Market.

As manager of the Farmers Market and in her role with AIA, Levine navigated the Great Recession and later the economic crisis spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. During her tenure as market manager, she partnered with the Isle of Wight County Animal Shelter to bring animals to the weekly, seasonal outdoor market in hopes of increasing it’s adoption rate.

Levine holds a bachelor of science degree in special and elementary education from American International College and dedicated nearly a decade of her professional life to supporting adults with developmental disabilities as an employment specialist, where she worked to find employment and provide on-the-job training for her clients. 

Her commitment to community service across Hampton Roads includes work with Symbiotic Inc. Rescue, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Live, Habitat for Humanity and the Luter Family YMCA.

Levine’s predecessor as chamber president, Jessica Jones-Healey, held the role from 2018 through Nov. 3 of last year.