The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber has named a new CEO and president, to replacing the retiring Peter Crowley, it announced Monday.
Hal English, an author who has held numerous banking and other leadership positions in Mercer County — most recently as director of community development in Robbinsville — will take over as head of the regional chamber of commerce on Jan. 4, with Crowley retiring Dec. 31. English was chosen after a six-month national search, following Crowley’s June announcement that he was retiring.
“It has been my honor to serve as the chamber’s president and CEO for these past 12 years,” Crowley said in a prepared statement. “I’ve had the chance to work with amazing staff, amazing chamber members and some of the leading business leaders in our region. Hal’s appointment makes me excited for the upcoming years ahead.”
The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber is one of the state’s largest regional chamber organizations, following its acquisition of the MidJersey Chamber in 2019. It serves more than 1,600 member companies across five counties in Central Jersey.
“I am excited to lead the chamber and work with such an amazing board and equally amazing staff,” English said in a statement. “I have had the honor to be a Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber member for many years and witness the tremendous growth and business impact that this organization has accomplished. I look forward to helping continue that growth.”
Executive search and recruiting firm Dennis C. Miller & Associates conducted the chamber’s search.
“I am excited to welcome Hal as our new president and CEO,” Brenda Ross-Dulan, chairman of the board, said in a statement. “His knowledge of the region, coupled with his extensive work with nonprofits and small businesses, make him a perfect match to follow our existing president, Peter Crowley.
“In addition to his business success, Hal has experience in legislative responsibility from his present role as director of community development in Robbinsville and through his previous legislative work in Trenton.”
