County-wide chamber names new executive director
John Tretter will take the reins of the newly formed Dubois County Chamber of Commerce.
“John has the skills to guide the strategic vision and growth of the Dubois County Chamber of Commerce. He will be able to strongly develop relationships not only at the county level but also at a legislative level while representing Dubois County businesses” according to board president, Matt Krieg.
Tretter, 54, is a Huntingburg native who completed his undergrad in international studies at the University of Evansville and his master’s in political science at Purdue. He has a varied work background that includes extensive time working at the Kuwait Embassy in Washington D.C. through the Bush and Obama administrations.
Most recently he worked with a security tech firm in Chicago and he has also worked with Shared Abundance in Huntingburg.
Tretter said he is glad to be back home where his family roots are.
“Being in Washington D.C. for 12 years was exciting but my thoughts were always on back home. This is where I belonged,” Tretter said in a press conference Tuesday morning at LiveWire in Jasper.
According to Krieg, Tretter’s background is what set him apart in becoming the newly formed organization’s first executive director.
During the press conference, Tretter explained he saw the organization’s role as one that impacts Dubois County and the region through collaboration and working with legislators.
“(Dubois County) number 154 of more than 3,000 counties in the country in regards to financial and economic stability,” Tretter said. “That doesn’t happen by accident.”
He said it will be his goal to position the chamber to help businesses at every level to not only get started but to mature and to prosper.
Tretter will continue to work in the former Huntingburg Chamber’s office on the second floor of Old National Bank at 327 E. 4th Street, Huntingburg for now. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and he can be contacted at 812-683-5699.
Tretter said he plans on going out to meet with all the businesses in the county as he moves forward in the new position.
“Coming home to take on the challenge is just an honor,” he said.
In addition to the naming of the executive director, the Dubois County Chamber also has named the following individuals to its board of directors:
Matt Krieg (Kincaid Insurance) – President
Brenda Adams (The Herald) – Vice-President
Jamie Jahn (Downtown Fitness & Running) Secretary/Treasurer
Darren Patterson (The Mortgage Company of Southern Indiana)
Amy Gehlhausen (Qualicare Family Homecare)
Stacy Voegerl (OFS Brands)
Dave Ring (Ring Farms)
Marc Steczyk (Lincoln Amphitheatre)
Jason King (Kimball Electronics)
Steffi Schmuecker (German American Bank)
Jamie Pund (Superintendent Southeast School District)
Michelle Meny (Meny True Value)
Jason King (Kimball Electronics)
Paul Wahl (Kimball Hospitality – retired)
The new organization, which began operation on January 1, 2020, is a result of a collaborative effort between the Huntingburg and Ferdinand Chambers of Commerce.
Mission: “The Dubois County Chamber of Commerce serves businesses of all sizes by providing leadership, legislative advocacy, and member-to-member collaborative opportunities by working at a county, regional, and state level to foster growth and profitability for our members.”
