Chamber Staff

Thomas J. O’Rourke, CCE
President
617.244.5300
torourke@nnchamber.com

Tom O’Rourke is the President of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce. He accepted this position in November, 2005 after serving 3 years as the President of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County. The President of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce is responsible for working with the board of directors to carry out the strategic initiatives set by the board.

Mr. O’Rourke has over 14 years experience working in Chamber of Commerce management. Prior to joining the United Way he served as President of the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. Before that he spent four years as Director of Membership Development at the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce. Tom qualified three times for the National Association for Membership Developments (NAMD) prestigious National Award for Excellence and won the award in 1995. Tom has been a presenting speaker on Membership Issues at several regional and national Chamber of Commerce conferences.

Through the years Mr. O’Rourke has served on the board of directors of many civic and professional organizations including the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Metro South/West Regional Employment Board, the National Association for Membership Development, the Plymouth Rotary Club, Quincy College at Plymouth, the Brockton Symphony Orchestra and Summerhill House, a residential home for pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers.

Tom has a BA in History from the University of Lowell and is a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management, a program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. In 2008 he achieved the Certified Chamber Executive designation from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). Since the program was initiated more than 40 years ago, only 475 individuals have earned this highest designation in the Chamber of Commerce industry.

Tom’s wife Jeanne is the Director of Communications at Rogerson Communities in Boston, Massachusetts. He spends much of his "free" time coaching various youth sports of his six children. In addition he enjoys kayaking and fishing.

Joe Halpern 
Director of Membership Development
Editor, INBusiness
617.244.5300
jhalpern@nnchamber.com



Joe was most recently with the United Way of Mass. Bay (Boston) where he was responsible for coordinating employer fundraising campaigns and he also spearheaded an effort to recruit businesses to participate in a United Way affinity card program.

Joe’s primary responsibility is recruiting and retaining members to the organization. He works with the Ambassadors and Membership Committees. In addition Joe is the editor of the INBusiness, the Chamber’s monthly newspaper where he uses his experience of 20 years as a newspaper journalist and editor.

His combination of business to business sales and marketing experience, passion for community based organizations, and strong work ethic make him an asset to the Chamber team. 

Lynnette Best                                                                                                                                                                                                                Program and Event Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                           617.244.5300                                                                                                                                                                                                                            lbest@nnchamber.com

Prior to joining the Chamber, Lynnette worked for TD Banknorth Garden as a Community Relations Coordinator.  Her previous work experience includes positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA and John Hancock Financial.  She is also a former intern of both Reebok International, Inc. and Colette Phillips Communications. 

Lynnette’s responsibilities include program and event management for all chamber programs and events.  She also contributes written materials for InBusiness, coordinates the volunteer and internship programs and provide office support.

A graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, Lynnette recently received her Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication from Emerson College.  She is a resident of Cambridge, MA.