December 20, 2024

Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC Announces Leadership Continuity with Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer Staying on as President & CEO

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer has rescinded her resignation and asked to remain in her role as president & CEO. This decision comes after careful consideration of balancing personal and professional circumstances, reflecting Reeder Kleymeyer’s dedication to the Chamber & EDC and the Colorado Springs and El Paso County business community.

Reeder Kleymeyer initially planned to step down to focus on caring for her mother in her home state of Tennessee. With her mother set to join Reeder Kleymeyer and her family in Colorado in January 2025, Reeder Kleymeyer will take a monthlong leave of absence instead of resigning. During this time, the board has extended their full support, providing ongoing flexibility with her schedule and workload to ensure she can balance her family priorities with her role as president & CEO. She will resume her duties as president & CEO on Feb. 1, 2025.

In recognition of her commitment to the Chamber & EDC, the board and Reeder Kleymeyer have agreed to a three-year contract to secure her continued leadership at the organization.

“This outcome reflects Johnna’s remarkable dedication to her family, the Chamber & EDC, and the broader Colorado Springs and El Paso County community,” said Tim Seibert, Chair of the Board of Directors, Chamber & EDC. “The board is proud to stand behind Johnna as she navigates this transition and is confident in her ability to continue leading with excellence. We also have great confidence in the strong leadership team she has built, who are well-prepared to maintain momentum during her brief leave.”

“Family is important to me, and I’ve learned through this situation that asking for help and considering new solutions can lead to opportunities I hadn’t imagined. I’m grateful to the board for their support and flexibility, and to my leadership team for their expertise and dedication,” said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, president & CEO. “I love this organization and the people who make it great, and I’m excited to continue building on the incredible work we’ve accomplished together. I appreciate the support I have experienced from the community I am proud to call my adopted home.”

Under Reeder Kleymeyer’s leadership, the Chamber & EDC has achieved numerous outcomes in economic development and community advocacy:

  • The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC has closed on 30 economic development projects across the manufacturing, aerospace & defense, and cybersecurity and technology sectors, bringing more than 5,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in capital investment. Those projects included Entegris’ Manufacturing Center of Excellence, Colorado’s largest manufacturing project in the past 10 years, and Microchip’s $880 million expansion.
  • In 2022, the Chamber & EDC implemented Find Your COS (pronounced “cause”), the city’s first talent initiative designed to address one of the greatest needs of existing businesses and businesses seeking to expand or relocate here.
  • In August 2022, the Chamber & EDC launched an economic development Deal Closing Fund in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs. The Deal Closing Fund is a public-private partnership to incentivize the creation of new high-paying permanent jobs within the city limits of Colorado Springs. Once announced, strong interest was immediately received from companies looking at the Colorado Springs area for a new or expanded location.
  • The Chamber & EDC was actively involved in the regional bi-partisan initiative championing for designation of Colorado Springs as home for the U.S. Space Command which was announced to remain headquartered in Colorado Springs in July 2023.
  • The Chamber & EDC has continually advocated for pro-business legislation as well as childcare, senior and workforce development bills, including successfully defeating the predictive scheduling bill, which aimed to regulate employee schedules, pay changes, and hiring practices.
  • The Chamber & EDC successfully advocated for the passage of Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) and the 2C road improvements sales tax extension.
  • In 2023, the Chamber & EDC was named host of Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center to help small businesses achieve their goals through consulting and programs.
  • In 2023, the Chamber & EDC was named host of the Pikes Peak Housing Network to advocate for affordable and accessible housing in Colorado Springs.
  • In 2023, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC formed the Titans of Economic Development – an advisory council established to make long-term investments in job growth and talent attraction in Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Reeder Kleymeyer spearheaded the fundraising effort in which more than 80 companies and individuals came together to raise $5.3 million to advance and grow economic activity within the Pikes Peak region.
  • In 2023 and 2024, El Paso County led the state of Colorado with project wins with Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

Moving forward, the organization is focused on continuing this momentum. With a strong and experienced leadership team, Reeder Kleymeyer is confident in continuing to serve its mission.

About the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation
Serving as the area’s largest chamber of commerce and economic development organization, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC works to build and maintain a superior business climate in which companies of all kinds can thrive. It supports existing and future local businesses to fuel a diverse economy and high quality of life. Learn more at www.ColoradoSpringsChamberEDC.com.