Mo Merhoff, president of OneZone, Inc., officially announced her retirement Friday morning to area officials and members.
Merhoff
“Now in my 20th year, it seems like a good time to end this significant chapter in my life,” she said. “Unfortunately, current conditions preclude this from being a public announcement as planned.”
OneZone’s Chief Operating Officer Jack Russell will serve as interim president. OneZone’s board of directors will launch a regional executive search for a president in the next few weeks.
According to OneZone Board President Kathy Krusie, “Mo has been instrumental in creating an environment in which businesses thrive, that in turn has resulted in Carmel and Fishers being nationally recognized as outstanding communities in which to live, work, and play.”
After joining the Carmel Chamber in 2000, Merhoff championed numerous collaborative initiatives and established the organization as a source of information and education for businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits, leading to exponential growth. In 2015, the Carmel and Fishers Chambers of Commerce merged to create OneZone representing more than 1,300 members, and that same year was recognized as the Indiana Chamber Executives Association’s Chamber of the Year. Most recently, she has facilitated an active public advocacy initiative on behalf of members and their businesses.
“The very best of my years with the chamber have been the incredible people I’ve worked with and gotten to know. These are the people with vision, commitment and spirit who have been the main ingredients in making our communities extraordinary, enviable places,” Merhoff said.
Prior to joining OneZone, Merhoff, spent 14 years with the United States Rowing Association, including serving as the executive director of the 1994 World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis.
Receiving both her graduate and undergraduate degrees from Purdue University, she is a past member of the Purdue President’s Council Advisory Board and is past board chair of the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA). She is a member of the St. Vincent Board (Hamilton County), Indiana Soccer board, Butler University Business Advisory Board, and a founding member of the newly established Women for Purdue.
Merhoff’s future plans include continuing to facilitate board planning sessions for not-for-profit organizations as well as traveling and spending more time with her husband, dogs and horse.
About OneZone
Launched in 2015 with the merger of the Carmel and Fishers Chambers of Commerce, OneZone serves the business interests of its 1,300 collective members. OneZone is a stronger voice, has a significant presence and acts as a business advocate in an ever-changing marketplace on behalf of its members. For more information, visit onezonecommerce.com.