For Pete Bardunias, moving north to lead the Southern Saratoga Chamber of Commerce is an exciting change for the Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce president, one that”™s also bittersweet.
“It”™s kind of strange leaving the town I grew up in, got married and raised my son in,” said Bardunias, who has led the Mahopac-Carmel chamber for three years and was on its board for several years prior to his appointment. “I love it here, but am also looking forward to the excitement of moving to a location where there”™s so much happening.”
Bardunias”™ new position will officially begin March 16, so until then, he”™ll be helping in the search for his replacement for the 500-member chamber he”™s helped to expand during his tenure.
Bardunias, always affable and accommodating, has helped grow the Mahopac-Carmel chamber and worked with Putnam”™s seven other business organizations to help forge the new Putnam County Chambers of Commerce.
“I think I”™m leaving this chamber in very good shape,” said Bardunias, “but I”™ll miss all the people I worked with and the longtime chamber presidents from the Hudson Valley who helped me along the way; Joyce Minard, John D”™Ambrosio and Charlie North have been great to me, as has Marsha Gordon from Westchester”™s Business Council.
“I learned a lot and I know it helped me do a better job in helping to grow the Mahopac chamber,” he said. “Now I”™ll bring those skills to Saratoga. It”™s going to be very exciting because of all the new companies that are coming to the area as a result of Luther Forest.”
Bardunias plans to attend the Pattern for Progress President”™s breakfast Feb. 24 at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, “where I”™ll have a chance to say goodbye to all my friends and business colleagues. Besides, 90 miles isn”™t that far away. It will take me as long to get to Saratoga as it has to visit Joyce at the New Paltz chamber building.”
Minard, president of New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce, was stunned but happy to learn of Bardunias”™ new position. “I”™m sure of one thing,” she said Minard, “the South Saratoga chamber had better get their running shoes on to keep up with Pete. He”™s got so much energy, he”™s going to bring a lot of positives to its membership.”
