By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
The Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce didn’t need to reach very far to find its new executive director to replace Jan Ludtke.
Ludtke, who announced plans to step aside within the last month, will be succeeded by Burlington resident M.T. Boyle.
Boyle, a former small business owner and longtime resident of Burlington, was announced as executive director in a Dec. 13 news release.
A former Chief of Staff for Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave, Boyle has worked for Racine County for more than seven years, serving in community and legislative engagement as well as well as planning positions.
Additionally, she has served on the Downtown Racine Corporation board or six years, including the last two as Board Chairperson.
“We are exceedingly enthusiastic for the start of this new era,” the Chamber wrote in a news release. “As we rebrand to Experience Burlington, M.T. brings tremendous experience and vision to this role.”
Boyle said the Chamber Director job is a perfect fit for her.
“I can bring it all back and be in my hometown,” she said. “I’m honored and gratified. I think it’s a good fit”
The Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, stated the Board of Directors have worked diligently to position itself to meet future opportunities.
“…We are confident that M.T. will be a great partner to us, our businesses, and the city to continue moving our community forward,” the news release added.
Boyle begins her tenure in January and will oversee the Chamber’s transition to “Experience Burlington” and potentially help coordinate citywide events under a proposed agreement with the City of Burlington.
“I want to sit down with the board,” she said. “This will be a challenge, but it’s a huge opportunity.”
City of Burlington officials are considering pulling funding from Real Racine, formerly Racine County Convention and Visitors Bureau, in favor of distributing the maximum 70% of room tax dollars to the Chamber.
Under the proposed agreement, the Chamber would take over major events, like the annual Ice Festival.
Editor in Chief Ed Nadolski contributed to this story.
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