Business & Tech

After 7 Years, Angarano Steps Down as Chamber President

Harrison's Ada Angarano has announced her retirement after seven years of serving as the town's chamber of commerce president.

After seven years as the friendly face of Harrison's downtown business district, Harrison Chamber of Commerce President Ada Angarano has announced that she will step down from her post effective this week.

Angarano, who has built a close relationship with most of Harrison's small downtown businesses over the years, said she is leaving to spend more time with family, including her granddaughter who is expected to be born sometime in the next few weeks.

She said in a statement that when faced with the decision of spending time at the volunteer post or her new granddaughter, the choice was easy.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

"My heart is not going to be there," Angarano said. "Once the baby is born, my heart is going to be (with her)."

The search for a new president has already begun, and Angarano said she hopes to have a better idea of who is interested in taking over sometime in the next two weeks. Angarano said she is speaking with three local business owners who she would like to see take the post, but that the final decision is up to the merchants.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Angarano said someone with a more polished business background will probably be more helpful for Harrison's businesses. Although she put her heart and soul into the position for the last seven years, Angarano said someone with more of a professional background might help the chamber move forward.

"These people need to make a living here," she said. "I don't have the business aspect of it now, it needs fresh blood."

Whoever takes over will have a good amount of work to do. Angarano hasn't collected member dues since August 2010 and had the chamber this year before making the decision to step down. The chamber has also struggled to incorporate businesses in West Harrison over the years.

Finding a new volunteer could be a challenge as well. Angarano during a dispute with then-Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh and the position remained vacant during that time.

Despite those obstacles, Angarano said she is hopeful someone will step in to keep the chamber of commerce going.

Angarano said she will continue to help out in a volunteer capacity. She plans to continue the blood drives that she has hosted in Harrison over the last few years and said she hopes to remain involved with Harrison's businesses.

But her biggest focus will now be with her growing family.

"I'm going to have a full-time job," Angarano said. "It's family time now."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here