Longtime residents to run Glen Ellyn chamber

Two familiar faces soon will become even more popular in Glen Ellyn.

Together, longtime Glen Ellyn residents Georgia Koch and Mike Formento will be co-executive directors of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce -- and do the once one-person job together.

The chamber's former executive director, Kay Kendall, who joined the organization in September 2004, announced her departure in October because she wanted to spend time with her ailing mother-in-law and help her daughter select a college. Her last day is yet to be determined, though she previously stated it would be Feb. 29.

Mike Formento, who has been a businessman in downtown Glen Ellyn for more than 40 years, is a former two-term village president, a former DuPage County board member and a former chamber president. Currently, Formento is a DuPage County Forest Preserve District commissioner.

Formento said he believes he and Koch will put together a team approach on the job.

He said the community will benefit because two individuals will be available instead of just one.

Formento said he and Koch will bring lots of background and community contacts to the position, as both have been very involved in civic organizations.

"Georgia brings a perspective that complements mine, and mine complements hers," he said. "That's why we think this team approach is going to be extremely effective."

Koch agreed.

"I think it's a great idea," she said. "There will be two of us, so someone will be available most any time."

Glen Ellyn Village Board Trustee Pete Ladesic said the two are ideal candidates for the job.

"I don't think there's probably two people in town who know about and care about our town as much as these two people," he said. "We kind of lucked out."

Formento said some challenges include increasing the chamber's visibility and making more of a presence in town.

"Our hope is to re-energize a number of the people," he said, "to participate in both volunteering and in membership."