Kevin Malecek Named New President & CEO of Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce

The Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce announced during its monthly meeting Tuesday at LaMalfa Centre that its new president will be Kevin Malecek.

Malecek will fill the vacancy created by current this Thursday after 17 years.

Jessie Baginski headed the search committee to find Pucak's successor. She said that of 24 candidates, the committee voted "unanimously and enthusiastically" for Malecek.

"We're not trying to replace Marie. We're trying to build off what she built," Baginski said.

Malecek is the director of the Evening and Saturday MBA program at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management.

He is also on the board of directors for Laketran and the Willoughby Hills city council president.

Malecek said his first goal as chamber CEO is to become acquainted with the job and its responsibilities.

"I look forward to getting to know all of you in the upcoming weeks, so we can continue keeping Mentor the best place to do business," he said to the MACC members.

"I have a fantastic tremendous board to work with," he added, after the meeting. "That's one of the reasons I took this position."

Malecek had kind words for Pucak at her final chamber meeting.

"Mentor has been blessed and fortunate to have someone the caliber of Marie," he said. "I cannot replace her. I can only hope to succeed her."

Similarly, Pucak congratulated Malecek.

"You're inheriting the best staff ever," she said.