Longtime Chamber of Commerce CEO D'Ambrosio dies

Posted 11/23/21

The Hudson Valley business community is mourning the death of Dr. John D’Ambrosio, the former president and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

D’Ambrosio, who retired to …

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Longtime Chamber of Commerce CEO D'Ambrosio dies

Posted

The Hudson Valley business community is mourning the death of Dr. John D’Ambrosio, the former president and CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

D’Ambrosio, who retired to Myrtle Beach, SC, in 2014, died Fri., Nov. 19. He was 71.

“We would like to thank "Dr. John", as he was known throughout the county, for his more than three decades leading the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Among his many accomplishments was developing entrepreneurship assistance programs that are considered some of the most successful in the entire state, and advocating for businesses and nonprofit organizations,” read a statement released Wednesday by the chamber. “The Orange County Chamber of Commerce attributes its success to Dr. John D'Ambrosio's passion and dedication to the business community.”

D’Ambrosio joined the then-Eastern Orange County Chamber of Commerce in 1984 after serving as Director of Development for Mount Saint Mary College and as a chamber board member. He met his wife Marilyn while serving on the chamber board.

A decade later, D’Ambrosio presided over the merger of Orange County’s two largest business organizations - one based in Newburgh, the other in Goshen -  to form the Chamber of Commerce of Orange County, Inc.

“John was a longtime friend and a tremendous asset to the small business community in Orange County,” Orange County Executive Steven M Neuhaus said. “John proudly developed the Orange County Chamber of Commerce into a successful organization that is widely respected by its peers and members. I am deeply saddened by his passing and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

The Chamber has announced plans for an annual tribute that will be revealed at its spring gala at City Winery in March.