ARTICLE
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the appointment of Cassandra (Chalhoub) Kotek as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Kotek follows a legacy of dedicated leadership and brings a wealth of professional expertise, community involvement, and a strong commitment to fostering business growth and collaboration in Marion. Jill Ackerman, President of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, shared her enthusiasm for this transition: “We are thankful and excited to welcome Cass as our new board chair. She has served the Board since 2022 and has hit the ground running—jumping in to volunteer at Christmas in the Park and has attended ribbon cuttings, which is meaningful to our members as they celebrate business milestones.” Ms. Kotek currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Farmers State Bank, where her strategic vision and creative expertise play a pivotal role in driving the bank’s growth and community engagement. A proud 2009 graduate of Xavier High School, her passion for leadership and teamwork took root during her collegiate years at Luther College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and excelled as a member of the tennis team. Her journey with Farmers State Bank began as a Marketing Specialist, where she left a lasting impact through innovative marketing campaigns and a deep commitment to building strong community-focused relationships. After advancing her career in Des Moines for six years, Ms. Kotek returned to the Cedar Rapids area in 2022 with her husband and their three children, reaffirming her commitment to her hometown. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Cassandra is an active leader in local initiatives. She serves on the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Leadership Team and the Xavier Catholic Schools Alumni Association and volunteers as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Her dedication to community, connection, and empowerment aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s mission to support and celebrate local businesses.
The Marion Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the appointment of Cassandra (Chalhoub) Kotek as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Kotek follows a legacy of dedicated leadership and brings a wealth of professional expertise, community involvement, and a strong commitment to fostering business growth and collaboration in Marion.
Jill Ackerman, President of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, shared her enthusiasm for this transition: “We are thankful and excited to welcome Cass as our new board chair. She has served the Board since 2022 and has hit the ground running—jumping in to volunteer at Christmas in the Park and has attended ribbon cuttings, which is meaningful to our members as they celebrate business milestones.”
Ms. Kotek currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing at Farmers State Bank, where her strategic vision and creative expertise play a pivotal role in driving the bank’s growth and community engagement. A proud 2009 graduate of Xavier High School, her passion for leadership and teamwork took root during her collegiate years at Luther College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and excelled as a member of the tennis team.
Her journey with Farmers State Bank began as a Marketing Specialist, where she left a lasting impact through innovative marketing campaigns and a deep commitment to building strong community-focused relationships. After advancing her career in Des Moines for six years, Ms. Kotek returned to the Cedar Rapids area in 2022 with her husband and their three children, reaffirming her commitment to her hometown.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Cassandra is an active leader in local initiatives. She serves on the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Leadership Team and the Xavier Catholic Schools Alumni Association and volunteers as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Her dedication to community, connection, and empowerment aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s mission to support and celebrate local businesses.