Central PA Chamber of Commerce president dies
Photo by Central PA Chamber of Commerce
Bruce Smith, Jr.
(Milton) — The Central PA Region has lost a great man and strong community advocate.
Bruce T. Smith Jr., President & CEO of the Central PA Chamber of Commerce, passed away Saturday morniing. He was 54.
According to a Chamber news release, Bruce was first hired in 2007 and was promoted to the top position at the end of 2013.
Under his leadership, the Chamber experienced incredible growth. The membership itself increased almost 50 percent.
“Bruce was one of the most kind, selfless and generous person we’ve ever known,” said Jeff Shaffer, the Chamber’s Communications Director, and Tea Jay Aikey, Finance & Membership Director. “He always put people before anything else. He was a great leader and always maintained a humble spirit. Family was so important to him, too, whether our families or his own.”
The Central PA Chamber Board of Directors will be holding a special meeting in the near future to discuss the impact on the Chamber and how the situation will be handled for the time being.
The Chamber office will be closed to start the week.
“We want to express our most sincere sympathies to Bruce’s family during this difficult time from the Board of Directors at the Central PA Chamber of Commerce,” said Chairman Dale Moyer. “Bruce was a highly respected member of our team, and the effects of his passing are already being felt by his co-workers and friends. Many of us counted Bruce not just as a co-worker, but truly a friend that guided and helped us in any way he could. His vision and leadership will be difficult to replace and loss of his guidance will be felt throughout the region.”
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