Hannah Aguzzi to begin job as Executive Director on April 1
By Jack Criss
The Bolivar Bullet
Rosedale native Hannah Aguzzi has been named the new Executive Director of the Cleveland – Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, effective April 1. She will fill the role vacated by the recent departure of previous director, Lara Bowman.
“I’ve already begun working on some things and am in the office this week,” said Aguzzi, hitting the ground running. “There’s plenty to do and I’m ready to get started.”
Aguzzi has been involved with the Chamber previously, recently as a Board member and, “really, since I was a teenager,” she said. “And, after I took a break from my former career in November of 2021, I’ve always been engaged as a volunteer with the Chamber. So, I was approached for the job because I was familiar with the work being done and how they were done here. The hiring committee, consisting of local key stakeholders, was looking for someone local and I met that criteria. I’m thrilled about this opportunity.”
That “former career” of Aguzzi’s was spent at Bolivar Medical Center from June, 2001 to the aforementioned November when she took a hiatus. “I was the Assistant Administrator at the hospital when I left,” she said, “and had been in that position for a number of years.
Aguzzi has lived in Cleveland since 1995 when she started her secondary education at Delta State University, going on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and also a Masters in the same field in 2005.
“This new job intrigues and inspires me,” said Aguzzi. “Being able to have a positive impact on our community is an honor. I want to continue to see Cleveland and all of Bolivar County continue on our strong, positive and forward trajectory. And, while I was asked at one of my initial interviews, ‘What would a Hannah Aguzzi-led Chamber look like,’ it’s not about one person, it’s not about me or my vision: it’s about what’s best for this county. I need and will seek out opinions and advice from our business and government leaders.”
Recruitment is one of Aguzzi’s top priorities as she begins her new job, with two current positions open at the Chamber.
“The Chamber has two key openings right now,” she said. “We need a Director of Community Programming and also someone for a new position we just created, an Economic Developer. The Board decided we needed that position brought in and we’re working on that and I’m looking forward to working with who we hire.”
Aguzzi said the community has already reached out to her with congratulations and, again, she is very excited about helping improve Bolivar County.
Aguzzi is married to Michael and has one son, Colby Dreher, who is 16 years old and a student at Bayou Academy.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my past work experience to the table here at the Chamber,” summarized Aguzzi. “I think the job will be fun and positive–and I can’t wait to start.”