PEKIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
About the Chamber
Our Story
In October of 1893, a group of civic-minded businessmen incorporated the Citizen’s Improvement Association of Pekin. The organization was formed for the purpose of “advancing the business interest and promoting the commercial growth of the City of Pekin.” The five directors that were selected to control and manage the corporation for the first year were: Everett W. Wilson, George Herget, Jesse B. Cooper, Henry Block, and Joseph V. Graff. These men banded together with a goal: systematic activity to secure new industries for Pekin. Everett W. Wilson was president of the group.
A second business association, the Pekin Retail Merchants Association, was organized in 1900 with Ferd Pauley as President and Fred Helm as Secretary. The purpose of this organization was to promote better business practices and systems.
In 1904 the Citizen’s Improvement Association of Pekin changed its name to the Commercial Club of Pekin.
In 1911 Commercial Club of Pekin and the Pekin Retail Merchants Association merged, retaining the name of the Commercial Club of Pekin.
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce
Amy Whiting-McCoy
Executive Director
Amy Whiting-McCoy has held several positions in her career spanning over 20 years in the insurance industry, including agency ownership and management. Amy was named Executive Director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce in March 2020.
Amy received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Western Illinois University. She also holds Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) designations.
Amy has been recognized for her community service and leadership many times. Amy has been a participant in the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run since 2004 and co-coordinator of the Macomb to Peoria Run from 2001 to 2003. Amy was the Memphis to Peoria Runner of the Year in 2018 and she currently serves as a Director on the St. Jude Runs Board. Amy has served on the Parent Board of the Dragon Aquatics Swim Team and is a Past Board member and volunteer for Pekin Main Street.
She is a 2002 graduate of the Pekin Area Chamber Leadership Academy and a Class of 2009 Peoria Area 40 Leaders Under Forty recipient. In 2017, Amy was honored as a 25 Women in Leadership by the Peorai Chamber and WEEK-TV. She also recently received an Outstanding Achievement Award in Community Service from the YWCA of Pekin at their annual Women’s Recognition Day Luncheon.
Amy is active in the community and has been a Kiwanis member since 2001. She is a Kiwanis Club of Pekin Past President and Board Member, as well as a Kiwanis Division 20 Past Lt. Governor.
Amy was honored with the Kiwanis Hixson Award in 2011. Amy has served on the Pekin Marigold Festival planning committee since 2005, and chaired the Pekin Marigold Festival in 2019. Amy currently serves on the Board of Directors for Camp Hope presented by the Dax Foundation, the St. Jude Gala Committee, and will be awarded Volunteer of the Year at the 2021 St. Jude Gala.
Amy is married to Mike and has three daughters, Molly, Samantha & Claire. She enjoys running, vacations, and time spent with her family.
Past Executive Directors
1916 – 1920 Phil H. Sipfle
1920 – 1923 James H. Braucht
1923 – 1925 Leonard D’Ooge
1925 – 1929 Ormond F. Lyman
1929 – 1938 John S. Patterson
1938 – 1941 Francis O Neer
1941 – 1945 Ross E. Anderson
1959 – 1962 Paul E. Burkhardt
1962 – 1970 R.H. “Bud” More
1970 – 1984 Leland S. “Lee” Williams
1985 – 1987 Ralph T. Brower
1987 – 1989 Kevin L. Rosner
1959 – 1993 Willard E. Birkmeier
1993 – 1996 Charles H. “Chic” Renner
1996 – 2001 Carol A. Shields
2001 – 2020 Willam T. Fleming
2020 – present Amy Whiting-McCoy
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