Chamber announces new executive director

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and the Schuyler County Tourism Promotion Agency Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Nigar Hale as executive director, effective Nov. 1, 2021. Hale will succeed Michael Hardy, who is resigning at year-end.
"Nigar is a positive and energetic leader with strong credentials," said Hardy. "I am thrilled to pass the baton to Nigar and to watch and support her as she makes strategic contributions to the positive momentum we're currently experiencing. Her expertise and collaborative spirit will help to further solidify the Chamber's commitment to advancing business and tourism and supporting our members."
Her career experience includes seven years as vice president of marketing and membership for the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, New York, where she was able to nurture her passion for creating collaborations to promote prosperity in the local economy. Her collaborations in the capital region include serving as president of a local community economic development organization that involved town governments, school districts, agriculture, and business leaders to create a strategic vision that would impact future development in southern Saratoga County. Hale's experience also spans acquisitions, marketing, and sales management in the publishing realm for Wiley, Delmar Learning, and Thomson Publishers and included managing hospitality, culinary, and travel and tourism content portfolios.
"As the incoming executive director, I am humbled to bring my commitment, work ethic and my portfolio experience to lead the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce," said Hale.
Hale moved from the capital region to the Finger Lakes in 2019 as founder and president of Blue Pepper Strategies, Inc., a marketing solutions provider for small businesses. At its core, Blue Pepper believes in the importance of driving the excellence of a brand experience throughout the customer journey, from discovery to fulfillment. She currently serves as chair for the board of Wharton Studio Museum where she helps to raise awareness of its mission and to celebrate Ithaca's place in early cinema history. She is also the current president of the Finger Lakes chapter of PRSA (Public Relations Society of America).
Hale earned her Executive MBA from the University at Albany and Institute of Organizational Management Certification by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for non-profit management. Her undergraduate degree was in American History and Sociology from the University at Albany. Hale resides with her husband in Ithaca, located between her two adult children with careers in the Capital Region and Buffalo.