Chamber names city Economic Development Manager Katie Behnke as new president

by Judy Stringer

Five days after announcing that Natalie Buynak was “no longer serving as executive director” after a year with the organization, the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce said it hired city of Hudson Economic Development Manager Katie Behnke as its next leader.

In a letter sent to chamber members, the board of directors announced that Behnke will take over the organization’s top post as president. She has officially resigned from her role with the city and is scheduled to begin her new position on Oct. 12.

Behnke, a Certified Public Accountant and Ohio Certified Economic Developer, joined the city in November 2022 after building a career spanning both the public and private sectors. An Ohio University alumna, she previously worked as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche before serving as an assistant controller for a private equity-backed health and wellness distribution company.

The chamber statement praised Behnke’s existing relationship with the local business environment, highlighting her close work with business owners, municipal leaders and area organizations during her tenure with the city.

“Her experience in economic development, knowledge of Hudson, and strong relationships throughout the community make her an excellent fit to lead the chamber,” the board wrote. They added that Behnke brings a “strong passion for supporting local businesses” alongside a commitment to strengthening the local economic landscape.

The chamber emphasized that operations will remain smooth throughout the administrative shift, promising “no interruption or reduction in services to our members.”

“The Chamber remains fully operational, and our programs, events, communications, membership services, and community initiatives will continue as planned,” the board stated, adding that members can expect the same level of connection and advocacy moving into this next chapter.

In the coming weeks, Behnke is expected to reach out to local business owners and community partners to gather input on how the organization can best serve its membership.

“We are incredibly excited about the future of the Hudson Area Chamber and grateful for the continued support of our members and community partners,” the board concluded.