As long as I can remember, the terms Chamber of Commerce and Merhoff have been connected.  That goes back to when Fishers had its own Chamber, before the merger with Carmel that created One Zone.  Now, based on reporting from my news-gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter, Mo Merhoff is retiring.

“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.

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.