November 22, 2024

Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer Announces Resignation as President and CEO of Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – It is with deep gratitude and profound sadness that we announce Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer will be stepping down from her position as President and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2025.   

Reeder Kleymeyer announced her decision to step down due to personal reasons, sharing that her mother’s ongoing health challenges in her home state of Tennessee require her attention and support. While her departure is a significant loss for our community, we fully support her choice and extend our heartfelt appreciation for her exceptional contributions.  

“I have appreciated the past three years and all we have accomplished in job creation, support for our military, and advocacy for the businesses of southern Colorado,” Reeder Kleymeyer said. “I hope my legacy will be my passion for our community, willingness to fight the good fight and support and empowerment of my committed team members. I have every confidence that the board and staff will continue driving impactful work for our community.” 

During her tenure, Reeder Kleymeyer has been a true professional, visionary, and dynamic leader, leaving an indelible mark on Colorado Springs. Her steadfast commitment to excellence and innovative approach to leadership have driven transformative change across our region.  

Since Reeder Kleymeyer assumed her role in January of 2022, significant progress has been made in economic development and community advocacy: 

  • The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC has closed on 25 economic development projects across the manufacturing, aerospace & defense, and cybersecurity and technology sectors, bringing more than 4,000 jobs and $1.7 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). 

“Johnna’s leadership has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Tim Seibert, Chamber & EDC Board Chair. “She has elevated our community to new heights, and her dedication will be felt for years to come. While we are saddened to see her go, we are forever grateful for the legacy she leaves behind. Our community and the Chamber & EDC are better because of her brief, yet impactful time with us.” 

Reeder Kleymeyer’s unwavering passion for the Colorado Springs and El Paso County community and her ability to bring people together to achieve shared goals have set a benchmark for excellence in leadership. Her impact has not only strengthened our community but also forged a path to continued success. 

The Chamber & EDC’s Executive Committee will work with Reeder Kleymeyer to ensure a smooth transition of the work Johnna has so passionately led. 

Please join us in expressing our deepest gratitude to Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer for her service, vision, and dedication. Her presence will be profoundly missed, and we wish her all the best as she steps into this new chapter of her life.