The Board of Directors of Carbon County Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) named Michael A. Heery to the full-time position of President and Executive Director, effective September 6, 2005.

A lifelong resident of Carbon County, Heery is a graduate of SS Peter and Paul School in Lehighton, Lehighton Area High School, Lehigh County Community College and Kutztown University.  After receiving his degree, he served SS Peter and Paul Church as Youth Minister, Director of Religious Education and Catholic Youth Organization Director.

Heery later went on to open his own business, Michael’s Emporium, at Pocono Museums Unlimited in Lehighton where he also served as President and General Manager. He has continued to work in his family business, Old Mauch Chunk Model Train Display and Hobby and Gift Shop, which opened to the public on August 22, 1985, and continues to be one of Jim Thorpe’s premier family attractions.

In 2001, Heery was elected Vice President of Jim Thorpe Area Chamber of Commerce and he was subsequently elected President of that organization from 2002 through 2005. Heery was a member of the visionary group that worked for almost three years to create Carbon County Chamber of Commerce.  He was one of its original incorporators and was elected by the Chamber Board to the position of Vice Chairman for the 2005 term.  Since the Chamber began operations in January 2005, Heery served on numerous committees and directly supervised the Chamber's Administrator.

Heery is very active in his church and in the community.  He serves as a Eucharistic Minister and is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  He is also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the American Legion Home Association and the Men of Malvern Association.

During its first year of operation, the newly-formed Chamber of Commerce has shown dramatic growth with approximately 400 members.  Heery is enthusiastic about the future prospects and noted that "Carbon County is growing and the Chamber of Commerce will grow with it. In that sense, the Chamber is a work in progress. I appreciate the confidence expressed in me by the Board of Directors and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges this position offers me."