Regional Chamber Announces Promotion, New Addition to Government Affairs

January 14, 2025

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber is pleased to announce the promotion of Monique Bennett to Director of Marketing and the addition of Nico Morgione as Director of Government Affairs.

In her new role, Bennett will work closely with Kim Calvert, the Regional Chamber’s senior vice president of Marketing & Member Services, to create effective marketing strategies for the organization and its many member events, coordinate with vendors and work with other Chamber departments to support their marketing needs.

Prior to joining the Chamber in March 2023 as marketing & graphics specialist, Bennett worked as creative director for a construction company in Twinsburg and had been art director for The Gold Clipper Magazine, where she worked for 21 years.

“Monique has elevated the Chamber’s brand and taken our marketing efforts to the next level over the past couple of years. As a director, she will lead her team to build on those efforts and shine a spotlight on our organization and member businesses as never before,” said Calvert.

Bennett, a resident of Kent, is lead vocalist with the band Straight On – A Tribute to the Music of HEART, which she founded in 2006 with her husband, Kevin. The couple also co-founded First Snow, a tribute to Trans-Siberian Orchestra, in 2008. In First Snow, Bennett is backing/lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.

Morgione joined the Regional Chamber in November. He coordinates legislative efforts with Lyle Huffman, the Chamber’s Vice President of Government Affairs, by working with local, state and U.S. government officials to meet the organization’s legislative goals of advocating for and creating public policy that benefits members and the business community across the greater Valley.

He also manages the Chamber’s Lattes & Legislators, a successful public speaker series that has featured several state and federal officials who provide information to members on important issues.

"I am thrilled to welcome Nico to our Government Affairs team. As a dynamic young professional passionate about politics, Nico brings a fresh perspective and a strong commitment to advocating for our region. His contributions will be invaluable as we continue to champion the needs of our business community at the local, state and federal levels,” Huffman said.

Morgione earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing Management in 2021 and MBA in 2023, both at Youngstown State University. Previously, he worked at YSU, building relationships with business and community partners. He serves on the board of Mahoning Valley Young Professionals and performs music with his brother, Marco, in the band RDNA, a cover band that performs a variety of music from the 1950s through today.

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