Las Vegas – Today, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees announced it has selected Matt Crosson as its new president & CEO. Kristin McMillan, chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Trustees, made the official announcement at a news conference this morning.
“We are very enthusiastic about our choice and believe that Matt Crosson brings exactly the right combination of leadership experience, business and political acumen, and vision to his new role,” said McMillan during her remarks.
Crosson currently serves as the president of the Long Island Association (LIA), the largest business association in New York with more than 5,000 members.
During his tenure as CEO of the LIA, Crosson created and launched many successful projects and initiatives. These programs focused on serving and growing all sizes of business and improving the systems which affect job growth and quality of life, including projects that increased growth in the technology industry, enhanced workforce development, increased affordable housing and improved the relationship between business and education.
Prior to his 16-year tenure at the LIA, Crosson enjoyed a diverse and distinctive career. He served as Chief Administrator of the New York State Unified Court System for several years and, before then, Assistant Counsel to the Office of then Governor Mario Cuomo, where he was responsible for legislation and other matters relating to the justice system. Prior to that time, he served in the Office of the Assistant District Attorney in New York County, where he became Deputy Chief of the Frauds Bureau.
In addition to his role with the Long Island Association, Crosson currently is president of the LIA Health Alliance, Inc., a regional health insurance purchasing plan for small businesses, similar to what the Las Vegas Chamber offers its small business members. He also is a director or trustee of public broadcasting station WNET Inc.; the Committee for Modern Courts; the Long Island Housing Partnership; Dowling College; the Long Island High Technology Incubator; the Long Island Works Coalition; and several other not-for-profit corporations.
Crosson currently is a member of the New York State Board of Regents Learning Standards Review Initiative Steering committee, which is charged with restructuring the state’s K-12 educational standards. He co-chairs the Nassau County Immigration Task Force. He has served as a member of the Governor's Task Force on Worker's Compensation, the Assembly Speaker's Task Force on Health Care, the Lt. Governor's Advisory Council for Educational Excellence, the Suffolk County Blue Ribbon Health Panel, and the State Education Department’s Blue Ribbon Panel on School Leadership, among other boards and commissions.
“Matt Crosson will bring a wonderful combination of association management, community leadership and long-term vision to the Chamber, and I believe will skillfully guide the Chamber in serving our members’ needs,” said McMillan.
In September, Kara Kelley, current president and CEO, announced she would retire in six months in order to pursue new professional opportunities. Upon her announcement, the Chamber’s Board appointed a Search Committee consisting of past and present board members, and a member of the business community-at-large. The Board hired national search firm Korn/Ferry to conduct and facilitate a search. Korn/Ferry has extensive experience in top-level executive searches for chambers and member-based organizations.
“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees of the Chamber for giving me this opportunity. And I am excited about leading the Chamber and participating in the economic recovery and future growth of Las Vegas,” said Crosson.
Crosson will begin his position on April 26. Kelley has agreed to extend her service until the end of April to ensure a smooth transition.
