Chamber News Release

ROCHESTER, NY (June 23, 2025) – Greater Rochester Chamber announced today that Faheem Masood, President & Chief Executive Officer, ESL Federal Credit Union was elected as the Chair of its Board of Directors. Masood previously served as Secretary of the Board and replaces Rob Sands, who has chaired the Board since 2016.

Faheem Masood serves as President & CEO of ESL Federal Credit Union, assuming this leadership position in March 2016. Under his leadership, ESL Federal Credit Union has focused on empowering and supporting the region’s efforts to further fuel financial empowerment for individuals as well as economic development for our small and commercial businesses. Masood also serves on the board of directors of the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, Geva Theatre Center, OneROC, Together Now, Lifetime Health Care Companies and its Rochester Regional Advisory Board, and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.

“I am excited to work closely alongside Faheem as the new Chair of our Board. His leadership on our board over the past ten years as a member and most recently as secretary, as well as his work at ESL Federal Credit Union have shown his steadfast commitment to our region and community,” said Bob Duffy, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. “I also wish to thank our outgoing chair, Rob Sands, for his immense contributions and guidance to our organization over the past decade. Rob has been the longest chair in our 138-year history. His tenure has been marked by transformation, resulting in a stronger and better Greater Rochester Chamber. I look forward to continuing to work with our board leadership to modernize our organization as a chamber of the future, identifying and implementing ways we can better support and elevate our region and its business community.”

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Greater Rochester business community as Chair of the Board of Directors,” said Faheem Masood. “Greater Rochester Chamber is an essential partner and resource for businesses across our region, working to ensure that they are supported and their voices are heard. The collective power of the Chamber brings knowledge, experience, and local acumen for so many across our business community.

Greater Rochester Chamber’s board also elected Lauren Dixon, Vice Chair, Donna Shultz, Vice Chair, Martin Mucci, Treasurer, and Heidi Schult Gregory, Secretary as officers for the upcoming term.

Additionally, nine new Directors were elected by Greater Rochester Chamber members at its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 17:

• Denee Stirpe, Vice President, Human Resources, Baldwin Richardson Foods Co.
• Vincent Lecce, Market President, KeyBank
• Melissa Suchodolski, President, USC Builds
• Jerry Warner, President, CooperVision Inc.
• Heidi Schult Gregory, Managing Partner, Harris Beach Murtha
• William Sanders, President, Rochester Institute of Technology
• Paul Griswold, CEO, Griswold Companies
• Stephen McDonnell, CEO, Wilmac Technologies
• David Riedman, President & CEO, Riedman Companies

This new board of directors will help advance Greater Rochester Chamber’s mission to equip, advocate for, and connect people and businesses in the nine-county Greater Rochester region. Together, we’re working to build a region elevated by connected prosperity. To see all members of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, please see here.

About Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is the region’s one-stop shop for business support, influence, and community connection. Rooted in advocacy, compliance, talent, and belonging, our organization combines an unmatched depth and breadth of business support with the agility and dedication to turn possibility into progress and accelerate opportunity and action. Here, you’re in good company. Learn more at GreaterRochesterChamber.com.