Rizzo steps down as director of Quincy 2000 Collaborative and president of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce

Dean Rizzo, Quincy Chamber of Commerce

Quincy, MA According to the Quincy Chamber of Commerce (QCC), Dean Rizzo will step down from his twelve year posts as director of Quincy 2000 Collaborative and president of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, effective by year’s end.

In his statement, Rizzo explained to the board of directors that he is proud of all that has been accomplished over the years and that it is time for him personally to engage in a new professional opportunity. “It has been a dynamic time of working alongside so many talented people dedicated to the success of the organization and to the city of Quincy,” Rizzo said. “I am proud to have been with the organization for the better part of my professional career. On a personal level, there are different passions and interests that I would like to pursue in this next chapter of my career. As I begin to look for a new career opportunity I also reflect on this experience working with an adept staff, a dedicated board of directors and a vibrant city with pride, pleasure and great fulfillment.”

The QCC board of directors expressed appreciation for the years of dedication Rizzo has given to the Quincy business community.

“Dean has been a forward thinking leader and deserves ample credit for building a solid Quincy Chamber of Commerce,” said QCC chairman of the board, Ed Fleming.

The QCC was formed in 2010 after merging six business organizations within the City of Quincy. The membership has grown from 100 to nearly 600 members, and QCC has executed hundreds of events and initiatives to foster business growth and expansion in Quincy. According to the Boston Business Journal, the QCC is one of the largest chambers in Mass., supporting a vibrant business community and playing an instrumental role in the overall growth of the city.

Rizzo led QCC’s economic development arm, Quincy 2000 Collaborative, to open the Quincy Center for Innovation (QCI) in 2013. The QCI is a 20,000 s/f co-working facility home to more than 45 startup companies representing 16 industry clusters. “The Innovation Center is evolving into a real economic engine providing a variety of resources and services that support entrepreneurship and innovation south of Boston,” said Rizzo.

In collaboration with the QCC, and also under Rizzo’s leadership, the Quincy Chamber of Commerce co-created the Life Sciences Corridor, a regional collaboration among the cities of Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Braintree and Quincy. This development partnership promotes the region as an economic target area for biotech and life science industries to raise the profile of the city and diversify its economic base.

Prior to Rizzo’s work in Quincy he was the preservation and development planner for the town of Plymouth after co-creating the Cohasset Revitalization Corp. His business development experience also includes a number of years working for the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and more than eight years as a small business owner.

The QCC’s board of directors is searching for a dynamic leader to continue the progress established by Rizzo. “In collaboration with the city of Quincy, the Quincy Chamber plays an important role in attracting commercial investment and supporting a growing tourism industry through its tourism arm, Discover Quincy,” said Fleming. “It is a prime opportunity for someone eager to play a leadership role in the future growth of one of the Commonwealth’s most up-and-coming markets.” Interested candidates are invited to email a letter of interest and a resume to efleming@flemingpc.com by October 9, 2015. In the interim period, Rizzo will continue to serve in his current role until a suitable replacement is found.

The Quincy Chamber of Commerce was established as a 501 c6 nonprofit in January 2010 as a partnership between the Quincy 2000 Collaborative and Discover Quincy. The mission of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce is to support economic growth through numerous business development and tourism initiatives. www.thequincychamber.com.