HERKIMER, N.Y. — Denise Cavanaugh is the new executive director of the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, but she’s no stranger to the Herkimer community.

She’s also no stranger to leadership, coming to the business organization with a background of corporate, higher education, and nonprofit leadership experience.

On top of all that, Cavanaugh is also a Herkimer County business owner.

That varied background not only made Cavanaugh the right candidate for the job, but it’s also what drew her to apply for the position, she says. “All really play into really being a great foray into the chamber.”

Cavanaugh started in her new role May 1, replacing former executive director Michele Hummel, who departed to become the founding executive director of Herkimer Next.

While all of her experience comes into play, Cavanaugh says it’s her role as owner of Raindrops on Roses Bed & Breakfast and Wine Tasting Room in Herkimer that could be most vital. She and her husband, Barry, purchased the bed and breakfast about a year and a half ago. Prior to that, she served as executive director of Catholic Charities of Oneida/Madison County and also was employed by Herkimer College’s College in Prison program. Cavanaugh also worked in the banking industry and served as executive director of the YWCA Mohawk Valley.

Owning the bed and breakfast has really opened Cavanaugh’s eyes to not only how many people visit Herkimer County but to what the county has to offer.

“We’ve had people from 25 different states stay at our place — and four different countries,” she says of the bed and breakfast, which is located near the college.

Sometimes, people don’t see the value of the area, Cavanaugh says. “There’s so much here to offer,” she adds. “Our county is a really cool place.”

Since starting at the Herkimer County Chamber, she has been working to get to know the county’s businesses and learn more about what’s going on in the county.

Cavanaugh’s first mission is to make sure the chamber is not only a known entity but also making sure it’s supporting businesses in ways that are valuable.

“We want to provide more benefit to our members,” Cavanaugh notes. She plans to do that by boosting support and educational opportunities through lunch and learns and other events. Cavanaugh also plans to work more closely with Herkimer County’s educational system to connect it more closely with the business economy. She’s also working to foster entrepreneurial and incubator thinking.

Of course, she’s also working on recruiting new members and retaining existing ones. “We do have quite a strong membership,” she says, adding there are between 200 and 300 members.

From Old Forge in the north to growing businesses in the south, there’s a lot going on, Cavanaugh notes.

“We have some great businesses that are coming into the area,” she says. Northern Rivers, an Albany–based human-services organization, recently opened a Herkimer office. “They’re a new member with us,” she adds.

Cavanaugh is also excited about the chamber’s upcoming events including the annual golf tournament set for Aug. 11 and annual meeting on Oct. 19. “Stay tuned,” Cavanaugh says, “I’m sure we’ll add some events in the future.”