Rowan Chamber of Commerce Announces Next CEO & President

June 2, 2026

The Rowan Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Christine Lynn as its next President & Chief Executive Officer following a search process led by the Chamber’s Executive Board Committee, a search committee comprised of Rowan County Leaders, and executive search consultant Dari Caldwell.

Lynn was selected from a strong candidate pool based on her demonstrated success in talent development, organizational leadership, strategic planning, workforce partnerships, and community impact. She will officially begin her role on August 17, 2026.

Currently serving as Associate Dean for the Ketner School of Business at Catawba College, Lynn brings a unique blend of higher education leadership, workforce development, corporate partnership development, entrepreneurship, talent retention strategy, and community engagement experience to the Chamber’s top leadership role.

A longtime advocate for Rowan County and active community leader, Lynn currently serves as Chair-Elect of the Rowan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and has played a leading role in initiatives focused on strategic planning, leadership development, entrepreneurship, young professional engagement, and workforce readiness.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to have been selected as the next President & CEO of the Rowan Chamber,” Lynn said. “This organization has a strong legacy of business leadership and community impact under Elaine Spalding’s leadership, and I believe the opportunity ahead is significant. Rowan County is uniquely positioned for continued growth and innovation, and I look forward to working alongside our business community, local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit partners, and Chamber members to continue building a thriving and connected region.”

Elaine Spalding, who has served as President of the Rowan Chamber since May 2013, will retire at the end of August after more than a decade of leadership in Rowan County. During her tenure, the Chamber earned national recognition from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Starling Johnson Kaklamanos, Chair of the Rowan Chamber Board of Directors, said the search committee was impressed not only by Lynn’s leadership experience, but by her vision for the evolving role chambers play in the immediate future.

“Christine emerged as an exceptional candidate throughout each phase of the search process,” said Kaklamanos. “She understands Rowan County deeply, has built meaningful relationships across sectors, and brings an innovative and forward-thinking approach to chamber leadership. Modern chambers sit at the intersection of business advocacy, workforce development, leadership cultivation, and regional collaboration. Christine has spent her career operating at that intersection. We are confident she is the right leader to guide the Chamber into its next chapter.”

Dr. David Nelson, President of Catawba College, praised Lynn’s leadership and impact on students and the broader community.

“Dr. Lynn has played a vital role during her tenure at Catawba College, helping create our strategic plan, developing programming in our Ketner School of Business, and strengthening partnerships in the Rowan-Salisbury community,” said Nelson. “She’s a brilliant choice to lead the Chamber, and I’m especially glad to partner with her to develop a good economy for our citizens.”

Meg Dees, Vice President for Development at Catawba College, highlighted Lynn’s collaborative leadership style and community-centered vision.

“Christine leads with energy, authenticity, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed,” said Dees. “She has consistently brought together business leaders, educators, donors, and community partners around shared goals and innovative ideas. Rowan County is fortunate to have someone with her passion and vision stepping into this role.”

Elaine Spalding expressed confidence in the Chamber’s future under Lynn’s leadership.

“Christine brings a unique combination of strategic thinking, relationship-building, innovation, and genuine passion for Rowan County,” said Spalding. “She understands the importance of supporting businesses of all sizes while also preparing our community for the future. I am excited to support a smooth transition and look forward to watching the Chamber continue to grow and evolve under her leadership.”

Over the past five years, Lynn has become deeply engaged in the Rowan County community, helping launch initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and create opportunities that connect students, employers, and community leaders. Her understanding of the region's strengths, challenges, and opportunities uniquely positions her to build upon the Chamber's strong foundation and lead its continued evolution.

About Dr. Christine Lynn
Dr. Christine Lynn is an accomplished higher education executive, workforce strategist, and community leader with nearly two decades of experience building partnerships that connect talent, employers, education, and economic opportunity.

Throughout her career, she has launched new campuses, led strategic planning initiatives, developed workforce-aligned programs, expanded enrollment and talent pipelines, and built partnerships across business, government, education, and nonprofit sectors. In Ohio, she helped establish and grow a new regional campus from the ground up, led initiatives supporting the national college completion agenda, and held executive leadership roles focused on organizational growth, community partnerships, and innovation.

Since relocating to Rowan County in 2021, Dr. Lynn has served in several leadership roles at Catawba College, including Associate Dean of the Ketner School of Business and Executive Director of Strategic Planning. Her work has focused on workforce development, employer engagement, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and strengthening connections between education and industry.

A dedicated community volunteer, Lynn currently serves as Chair-Elect of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and has been recognized as the Chamber's Paul E. Fisher Volunteer of the Year and top Total Resource Campaign volunteer.

Lynn holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing.