Bethlehem Chamber welcomes new president

Teri Olsen-Spina said that working in tandem with former president Terri Egan will be ‘very complimentary’

DELMAR — Teri Olsen-Spina understands the commonality shared between corporations and small business owners: both need to establish a connection with their community.

“Large corporations encourage everyone to think like an entrepreneur. To do that, you have to be really in touch with your customers,” said the new Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce president. “You need good data, valuable feedback, and strong relationships. It’s all very similar.”

The Delmar resident and local businesswoman assumed the leadership role on Monday, succeeding Terri Egan, who will continue serving the organization as its government affairs representative.

“We are sad to see one Terri (Egan) go, but we look forward to the new Teri increasing Chamber membership, addressing the business needs of our members, and continuing to grow our annual events and community presence,” the Chamber stated.

The incoming president said working together her predecessor should compose a “complete picture” of what the chamber can provide its members. Olsen-Spina acknowledged Egan’s keen attention to logistics and her experience with local government, which includes a run as Town Supervisor from 2004 to 2007.

“I think that what we each bring to the table is very complimentary and kind of completes the picture for the chamber.”

Olsen-Spina has experience in marketing, management, and corporate leadership. A Siena College graduate, she has an extensive background that includes founding a product research technology used in the education industry and leading Hayes, Inc., a healthcare research company based in Houston. At Hayes, Olsen-Spina managed a multi-million-dollar budget and oversaw data research, product innovation, and strategic planning.

After the acquisition of Hayes, Olsen-Spina shifted her focus to local business development, working as a consultant with nonprofits, legacy businesses, and startups. Her efforts have included keeping up with local business trends and challenges. She previously contributed to the Guilderland Chamber’s “Ladies’ Night Out” event while serving as Director of Business Development for a Niskayuna-based medical imaging practice.

In her hometown, she already sees opportunities that could bring renewed activities. In a local survey she spearheaded late last year, results suggested that residents seek destinations for date nights, including restaurants and places to dance.

“They’re asking for more places to go out and enjoy each other’s company,” she said, adding that there is room to include attractions for families, children, and teenagers. “I think this is especially important in the winter months, the darkest days of the year. We tend to be more isolated at that time of year, you know.”

Olsen-Spina emphasized the importance of gathering empirical data to make smart business choices. She intends to draw information from current members to aid strategic decisions and assess the need for new businesses, product changes, new products, and new services.

“Business owners individually have a tremendous amount of information from their unique perspectives,” she said. “I’d love to pull that together somehow to create a larger, complete picture of the area for our members to really understand where everybody is and what they’ve learned from the community.”

Olsen-Spina and her husband, Tom, have three children who are graduates of the Bethlehem Central School District.

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