Ryan Unger joined the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC in July 2021 as President & CEO, bringing with him over 20 years of community and economic development experience on the local, regional, and state levels.
Ryan provides vision and strategic direction for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, including responsibility for all administrative and management functions and executing the overall mission of the organization. Ryan directs the organization’s strategic and operating planning in conjunction with the Chamber & CREDC Board. Ryan strongly believes in serving as a champion and advocate for our region and its business community.
Prior to joining the Chamber & CREDC, Ryan served as the CEO of Team Pennsylvania, the commonwealth’s public-private partnership for economic and workforce development, consisting of business and government leaders, chaired by the Governor. During his time there he participated in business development mission trips in the United States, Europe, and South America. While at Team Pennsylvania, Ryan led the organization in the development of nationally recognized research and policy around agricultural economic development and petrochemical manufacturing.
Ryan’s experience in regional economic and community development includes time spent at SEDA-Council of Governments based in Lewisburg, PA, and the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce based in Shamokin Dam, PA.
Nationally, Ryan serves as a member of the Association of Chamber of Commerce (ACCE) Executives Board of Directors. ACCE includes over 9,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,600 chambers of commerce. He is also a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 100. This group of 100 local and state chamber executives advises the U.S. Chamber’s board of directors, enhances lobbying and coalition work, recommends programming, and strengthens outreach to the business and chamber communities.
Locally, Ryan currently serves on the board of advisors for Harrisburg Young Professionals, as chair of the Advisory Board for the Historic Harrisburg Association, and a Board Member for the United Way of the Capital Region. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg and the Friends of Midtown. He serves on the Penn State Harrisburg Board of Advisors and is a Community Impact Advisor for Harrisburg Area Community College. In 2022, Ryan was appointed by Governor Wolf and confirmed by the Senate as a Commissioner on the State Farm Show Commission. The Commission guides the operations and maintenance of the PA Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation.
In 2022 Ryan was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Department of Communications at his alma mater, Elizabethtown College. Ryan is the past president of Elizabethtown College’s Alumni Council and currently serves on the College’s Board of Trustees & Executive Committee.
When Ryan is not at the Chamber or meeting with local officials or businesses, you can spot Ryan walking his rescue doodle Harrison along Riverfront Park in Harrisburg, eating at any (or all) of the great food stands at the Broad Street or West Shore Farmer’s Market, hiking throughout the region, or cheering on Penn State during fall Saturdays. He resides in midtown Harrisburg.
