What does Greater Columbus Chamber Of do?

The organization serves as a business advocacy and membership organization, representing member interests in policy development, providing networking opportunities, and supporting regional economic development initiatives through strategic partnerships and programming.

Who can become a member?

Membership is available to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and professionals operating in OH. Member benefits include networking opportunities, advocacy representation, professional development resources, and participation in regional economic development initiatives.

How is the organization funded?

Funding comes primarily from membership dues, corporate sponsorships, program fees, and grants. Financial support enables the organization to provide member services, conduct advocacy work, and implement programs serving the regional business community.

How can I get involved?

Individuals and organizations can participate through membership, committee service, event attendance, and program sponsorship. The organization welcomes engagement from business leaders interested in supporting regional economic development and business advocacy priorities.

Greater Columbus Chamber Of

Columbus, OH · Founded 1884

Business catalyst serving as voice for connections, advocacy, and strategic solutions

Primary audience

Business Members

Work area

Regional Advocacy

Topic

Economic Development

Contact

Don Deperro

Website Contact

About Organization

Advances a thriving central Ohio community by serving as a catalyst for all businesses to grow and flourish through connections, government relations, strategic business solutions, and talent development. Based in Columbus, OH, the chamber has supported business since 1884. Operating with $4.2 million in annual revenue and 32 employees plus 60 volunteers.

What They Focus On

Workforce Development

Supports talent pipeline development through education partnerships and workforce readiness programming initiatives

Community Leadership

Develops business leadership capacity and facilitates collaboration on community priorities and regional challenges

Economic Growth

Promotes regional economic development through strategic partnerships and support for business expansion initiatives

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$4.2M

+8% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$4.5M

+24.3% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$4.3M

+3% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

+14.3% vs 2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2024	$4,233,883	$4,513,836	$4,307,325	32
2023	$3,918,963	$3,631,596	$4,183,618	28
2022	$3,591,269	$3,183,814	$3,731,729	77
2020	$3,085,041	$3,044,570	$3,070,839	24
2019	$3,288,073	$3,359,829	$3,053,761	34
2018	$3,204,735	$3,428,097	$3,057,893	30

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

01

Member Engagement

Identifies priority issues through stakeholder consultation and analysis of business community needs
02

Strategic Planning

Develops targeted initiatives based on member input and regional economic development priorities
03

Program Implementation

Executes programs through partnerships with member organizations and community stakeholders
04

Impact Assessment

Evaluates outcomes through member feedback and tracks progress toward organizational objectives

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Greater Columbus Chamber Of

BRINGING BUSINESS TO THE COLUMBUS

Facilitates collaboration and development in bringing business to the columbus region through targeted programming and partnerships

Business Advocacy

Represents business interests in policy development and legislative initiatives at state and local levels

Member Services

Provides networking opportunities, resources, and support to member organizations across the region

Community Engagement

Facilitates collaboration between business and community stakeholders on shared priorities

Economic Development

Promotes regional economic growth through strategic partnerships and development initiatives

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Greater Columbus Chamber Of.

Don Deperro

President &

Full-time

Compensation: $379,877

Tim McKelly

Director Of

Full-time

Compensation: $122,386

Desmond Bryant

VP Of Govt R

Full-time

Compensation: $184,076

Lorie Holt

VP Of Member

Full-time

Compensation: $180,172

Kelly Campbell

VP Finance &

Full-time

Compensation: $172,292

Hope Cotter

VP Of Market

Full-time

Compensation: $157,106

Milestones

1884

Organization Founded

1884

Established to serve business community development and economic growth initiatives

1955

Regional Expansion

1955

Extended programming and membership services to serve broader regional business community

2025

Program Enhancement

2025

Launched enhanced member services and expanded advocacy initiatives for business community

2026

Continued Impact

2026

Maintains active programming serving member organizations and regional economic development priorities

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Bill Nolan Secretary 1.00 hrs/week

Brandon Dupler Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Brandon Nelson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Brian Hall Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Catherine Lang-Cline Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Catherine Strauss Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Chris Guilliams Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Craig Hawley Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Dan Like Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Darnita Bradley Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Dawn Tyler-Lee Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Deborah Boiarsky Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Derrick Clay Chair Elect 1.00 hrs/week

Elizabeth Blount-McCormick Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Greg Ubert Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Jeremy Banta Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Jill Kuhlman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

John Daly Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Joseph Miller Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Josh Demidovich Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Keith Martinez Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Kl Allen Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Kurt Hoeft Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Mark Kovacevich Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Monica Dominic Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Robyn Pollina Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Sara Robertson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Sean Grant Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Sue Zazon Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Tom Harris Trustee 1.00 hrs/week

Tony Ruscilli Board Chair 1.00 hrs/week

Christine Boucher Director, Columbus Chamber

Tammy Butterworth IMC Logistics

Sean Collins SWACO – Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio

Sheila Davis Columbus Micro Systems

Shelby Gumpf Cbre

Jake Heffron Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc.

Todd Hixenbaugh Purdy Company

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.2M

Highest Paid

$381K

Don Deperro

Compensated Officers

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Don Deperro	President &	$379,877	$1,200	$381,077	40
Desmond Bryant	VP Of GOVT R	$184,076	$1,200	$185,276	40
Lorie Holt	VP Of Member	$180,172	$1,200	$181,372	40
Kelly Campbell	VP Finance &	$172,292	$1,200	$173,492	40
Hope Cotter	VP Of Market	$157,106	$1,200	$158,306	40
Tim Mckelly	Director Of	$122,386	$900	$123,286	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Don Deperro	President &	$369,666	$1,200	$370,866	40
Dez Bryant	VP Of GOVT R	$158,584	$1,200	$159,784	40
Lorie Holt	VP Of Member	$156,667	$1,200	$157,867	40
Hope Cotter	VP Of Market	$142,683	$1,200	$143,883	40
Kelly Campbell	VP Finance &	$137,849	$1,200	$139,049	40
Tim Mckelly	Director Of	$105,061	$900	$105,961	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Don Deperro	President &	$381,806	$1,200	$383,006	40
Dez Bryant	VP Of GOVT R	$146,737	$12,703	$159,440	40
Hope Cotter	VP Of Market	$137,665	$12,464	$150,129	40
Kelly Campbell	VP Finance &	$128,600	$5,839	$134,439	40
Lorie Holt	VP Of Member	$118,521	$12,265	$130,786	40
Marie Krikos-Oakes	Business DEV	$100,983	$3,382	$104,365	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Don Deperro	President	$298,106	$27,992	$326,098	40
Jeff Zimmerman	VP Sales	$163,788	$18,749	$182,537	40
Holly Gross	VP Government Affairs	$123,211	$8,624	$131,835	40
Hope Cotter	VP Of Marketing	$107,778	$10,635	$118,413	40
Kelly Campbell	VP Finance & Admin	$110,403	$5,114	$115,517	40

Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Don Deperro	President	$320,272	$25,656	$345,928	40
Jeff Zimmerman	VP Sales	$152,856	$16,969	$169,825	40
Kelly Campbell	VP Finance & Admin	$103,259	$4,885	$108,144	40
Holly Gross	VP Government Affairs	$102,781	$4,006	$106,787	40
Heather Manbevers	Board Secretary - Thru 12/19	$49,424	$19,001	$68,425	40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$345K

Total Forgiven

$347K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

Loan Details 1 loan

$344,662

Forgiven

Forgiven: $346,758 100%

Approved Feb 24, 2021

Lender The Huntington National Bank

Jobs Reported 21

Forgiven On Oct 6, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$130K Grants Received

2 Organizations

Top Funders

2 total

One Columbus Foundation

$110K

Columbus Association Of Realtors

$20K

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying

4 Registrations

4 Clients

Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 4 total

Columbus Chamber Of Commerce

1 filing

Self

US Chamber Of Commerce

1 filing

US Chamber Of Commerce -- Global Intellectual Property Center

1 filing

US Chamber Of Commerce Institute For Legal Reform

1 filing

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Greater Columbus Chamber Of

Phone

(614) 225-6917 (614) 221-1321

Social

Visit Website

150 South Front St 220 Columbus, OH 43215

Greater Columbus Chamber Of

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Member Engagement

Strategic Planning

Program Implementation

Impact Assessment

Programs and Initiatives

BRINGING BUSINESS TO THE COLUMBUS

Business Advocacy

Member Services

Community Engagement

Economic Development

Team & Leadership

Don Deperro

Tim McKelly

Desmond Bryant

Lorie Holt

Kelly Campbell

Hope Cotter

Milestones

Organization Founded

Regional Expansion

Program Enhancement

Continued Impact

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Loan Details 1 loan

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Related Organizations

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

Lobbying Activity

Clients 4 total

Contact

Phone

Social