Page 42 - BusinessWest June 13, 2022

A Home Game
Jessye Deane to Take the Helm at the Franklin County Chamber
By Mark Morris
While the specific job responsibilities are new, most everything else about Jessye Deane’s new assignment,
as executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, isn’t.
Starting with the region this agency represents.
“When I’m out grabbing a coffee or dropping my kids off for softball, I hear all about the challenges businesses are facing. Because I live here and run a business here, I feel intertwined with the local economy.”
Indeed, Deane is a native of Bernardston and a lifelong resident of the county. So she is quite familiar with the region’s many assets — as well as the considerable challenges it faces, and has faced for decades now.
“When I’m out grabbing a coffee or dropping my kids off for softball, I hear all about the chal- lenges businesses are facing,” Deane told Busi- nessWest. “Because I live here and run a business here, I feel intertwined with the local economy.”
Those sentiments help explain that, while Deane is no stranger to she is also no stranger to the ins and outs, ups and downs, of running a business or nonprofit. In fact, she’s had experi- ence with both.
In her current position, Deane is the director of Communications and Development for Com- munity Action Pioneer Valley. In her 12 years with the anti-poverty agency, the $36 million non- profit has seen an increase in private funding of more than 1,600%. Deane said her experience with Community Action has given her an educa- tion on the various strengths and challenges in each community in the county.
“Community Action primarily serves Franklin County as well as offering services in other parts of Western Mass,” Deane said. “In my time there, I have become familiar with the differences in each community and the unique economic land- scape in Franklin County. So, I come into my new role with that background.”
And with her husband Danny, Deane owns two F45 Training fitness studios, located in Had- ley and West Springfield.
Jessye DEaane, left, with outgoing Franklin County Chamber director Diane Szynal.
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