By Dave Matlow
UPDATE Third time is a charm for Heather Cavanagh who returns to the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce as executive director effective Feb. 10.
Heather Cavanagh returns to Chamber. Contributed photo
She replaces Lisa Parrelli Gray, who resigned two weeks ago and whose last day was Wednesday. She served two years.
Cavanagh has been vice president of public relations at Stamford consulting group CBP since July 2012. She first joined the Chamber as executive director in 2007 and served for about a year. She returned in March 2011 as special projects manager/interim executive director until January 2012.
“I look forward to working with the Board of Directors, Chamber members and area residents to support the business community’s efforts and enhance the civic life in Westport and Weston,” Cavanagh said in a Chamber news release.
Parrelli Gray said today that the Chamber board, a different one than when she started, has changed directions and “I don’t feel comfortable supporting those directions. I love the members, community and all the people I met with. I’m proud of what we brought to the community.”
Parrelli Gray said she is considering other opportunities and options, especially consulting in business strategies and development. “I’m not the kind of person who sits home eating bon-bons,” she said.
A Darien resident, Cavanaugh has been associated with several other Chambers of Commerce in Fairfield County, including the Darien Chamber, where she was its executive director from 2002 to 2005, and with the Norwalk Chamber as ambassador from 2006 to 2007.
Many Westporters know her also for her time as director of community relations with Homes with Hope from April 2005 to April 2007.
Jonathan Baron, who has served on the Chamber board as treasurer and is now chairman, said ,“On behalf of the Chamber’s board, I would like to thank Lisa Parrelli Gray for her positive impact on the Chamber and Westport-Weston communities.
“We are excited to have Heather Cavanagh on board as our new executive director. I have confidence that Heather will build on our past successes and continue to provide value for Chamber members and the Westport-Weston communities.”
