Brendon is our President & CEO, and formerly held the positions of COO, EVP, and Chief Strategy Officer. Brendon leads teams that have overhauled public policy, government relations, talent, and marketing efforts. He developed our transportation initiatives strategy, resulting in a successful $2 million ballot initiative and coalition supporting increased transportation funding. He managed the fundraising and Cincinnati Chamber production team for BLINK, a $5 million art and light event that was the largest public event in Cincinnati’s history. He is an accomplished and sought-after speaker, strategist, and ambassador for the organization and the region.

For 10 years, Brendon led Government Affairs for The Kroger Co., where he advised executives and the company’s board on vital policy and political issues. He launched an effort to legalize wine in grocery stores, resulting in millions of new sales in several states. His influence and leadership were evident in Kroger’s successful policy efforts: pension reform, food safety, and corporate social responsibility. From 2000-2005, Brendon was the Legislative Director and Press Secretary for Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken.

Brendon is a board member of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) and is the President of the Board of the Mercantile Library. He currently serves on the boards of ArtsWave, Visit Cincy, Cincinnati Compass, Xavier University’s Williams College of Business, and is an elected member of Clifton Town Meeting.

He has worked with dozens of organizations in advisory and volunteer roles, including the United Way, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Crown Cincinnati, and Tender Mercies. He graduated from Xavier University with a degree in Organizational Communication and is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Chamber’s Building Cultural Competence program. He is an avid reader, runner, cyclist, and live-music aficionado. He is married and has two daughters.