Hamilton Chamber of Commerce CEO resigns to run for mayor

The president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday he is resigning from his post and will be running for mayor this October.

Keanin Loomis informed the board of his intention to step down in a meeting Tuesday night.

“After nine years of leading this historic institution in Hamilton and transforming the organization from top to bottom, I’ve decided that it is time to move on and hand the organization over to a successor who can take it to the next level and it’s time to take my career to the next level as well,” he said in an interview on Morning Live.

Yesterday I informed my Board of my intention to resign from @hamiltonchamber. Serving the #HamOnt business community for 9 years has been such a privilege, but I have so much more leadership to provide our community. As such, I am announcing that I will be a candidate for Mayor. pic.twitter.com/27lSFipd3x

— Keanin Loomis (@keaninloomis) January 19, 2022

Loomis has been the head of the chamber of commerce since 2013 and will leave the organization on March 4.

During his tenure, he has been an advocate for city-building initiatives that advance the Hamilton economy.

Most notably, he convinced city council to agree to the legal sale of cannabis and his support for Hamilton’s B-Line LRT project paid off with last year’s announcement of provincial and federal investment in the project.

“It is definitely a tough decision,” he said. “It’s been the role of a lifetime being the voice of business in this community and leading this organization.”

Loomis was dedicated to helping small businesses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He and the chamber team brought back Hamilton Day last year– a one-day shopping event designed to financially support local businesses.

They also developed an economic blueprint for Hamilton’s recovery, a one-stop COVID concierge website and phone line to answer questions, and often hosted webinars that addressed current rules and restrictions related to business.

The chamber board of directors will begin a nationwide search for Loomis’ successor in the coming weeks. During the organization’s transition, Marie Nash, the chamber’s chief operating officer, will step in as interim CEO.