Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce president has resigned to take a new job

The president of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce is leaving Peoria and resigning from his role.

Joshua Gunn, who came to Peoria in summer of 2020, is leaving his role in Peoria to accept the same position with the Glendale Chamber of Commerce in the Greater Phoenix region.

Gunn's resignation is effective May 31.

“Peoria is truly a gem, and one of our nation’s best kept secrets. The dedicated people and businesses that make up this region are one-of-a-kind, and my family and I are privileged to have spent this time here. It has been an honor to serve as the leader of the Chamber and CEO Council and I am proud of the things we’ve accomplished together,” Gunn said in a news release Monday. “The Greater Peoria area has a bright future ahead and I look forward to witnessing the growth and vibrancy to come.” 

Gunn will take over as the leader of Glendale's Chamber of Commerce in June.

Gunn came to Peoria from North Carolina, where he was the vice president of member investment of the Great Durham Chamber of Commerce.

More:‘Inferiority complex' is a hurdle for future growth in Peoria area, says Chamber CEO

“As we say goodbye to Joshua and the Gunn family, we recognize their significant impact on our community over the past four years. Joshua's dedication and contributions have been invaluable, shaping our region for the better," Andre Allen, chairman of the of the Greater Peoria Business Alliance Board of Directors and a Peoria City councilman said in a statement. “While his departure leaves a void, we’ll strategically unite to support our professional staff and membership, ensuring continuity and building upon the strong foundation laid by Joshua's leadership.” 

Allen said he is happy for Gunn but told the Journal Star the news was a "bit sudden" and he and the rest of the board of directors will strategize this week to plan for the short-term success of the Chamber of Commerce and also begin to formalize plans for a nationwide search for the next chamber president.

Chris Setti, the CEO of the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, also said he was happy for Gunn and his new opportunity but added he was sad for the Peoria area to lose an "effective leader" like Gunn.

"I've worked really closely with him, we're good friends in addition to being close colleagues. Our two organizations do a lot of work together, and so I am not disappointed because I am happy for him, but those are big shoes to fill," Setti said.

One of Gunn's biggest focuses during his time in Peoria was emphasizing the city's need for talent attraction and retention of young professionals.

Last year, Gunn was at the forefront of launching the "Greater Peoria 2030" initiative alongside the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council. That effort was designed to help businesses in the Peoria-region attract and retain young professionals with an ultimate goal of seeing significant economic growth by 2030.

Gunn was also frequently a cheerleader for the Peoria area, once telling the Journal Star "I will work until they run me out of town to get people to see just how cool Peoria is."

He often said one of the biggest hurdles facing growth in Peoria, but also statewide, was a perception problem and "inferiority complex" that Peorians had about their city.

"A couple of the challenges we still have is sort of this general inferiority complex that I feel like people have about Peoria," Gunn told the Journal Star in 2021. "Every single day someone says to me: "Why would you come here?" And that is such a hurdle for us. If people believe they're not in a place that is a great place to be, then how do we spread that message outside of our borders? I will work until they run me out of town to get people to see just how cool Peoria is."

More:How does Peoria attract and retain talent? Here's one way that might help