Mark Freeman, President of Steel-Fab, Inc. has been elected Chairman of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2017-18. The announcement was made at the chamber’s Annual Business Meeting on June 15, 2017.

Headquartered in Fitchburg, Steel Fab, Inc. is a national leader in the design and manufacture of water control gates, gate operating systems, and fixed cone values for the hydro power industry.  The company was originally founded in 1966 as a supplier to GE for their power generation products, but has evolved over the years to support a variety of industries ranging from energy to defense.

Mr. Freeman joined the family owned and operated business thirty years ago, after working for State Street Bank.  He became President in 2005 and under his leadership the company has continued to grow over the years.  In addition to his involvement with the Chamber, Mr. Freeman is a member of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the American Welding Society, and the National Hydropower Association.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Bentley College.

Mr. Freeman has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for several years and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair and Treasurer.  He has also served on the Chamber’s Manufacturing CEO Roundtable and has been a champion of the Chamber’s efforts to promote manufacturing careers and to better connect employers with schools in the region.  As the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Freeman will work with the Board, Chamber staff, and membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.

“Mark has proven himself to be a tireless leader on many issues of interest to the business community in the region,” noted Roy Nascimento, Chamber president & CEO.  “We look forward to continuing to work with him to advance the interests of our members and promote a strong business climate in North Central Massachusetts.”

He succeeds Tony Mercadante, managing partner of Mercadante & Mercadante, CPAs, who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.

“It is an honor and privilege to have been elected Chair of the Chamber, an organization that plays an important role in supporting businesses of all sizes in North Central Massachusetts,” expressed Mr. Freeman, “I am excited to continue Tony Mercadante’s efforts and work to make sure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community.”

In the same election, Stephen Mullaney Jr., PE, president of S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc. was voted Vice-Chairman and director Deborah Weymouth, president of HealthAlliance Hospital, Inc. was elected to the position of Treasurer.

New board members elected for a three-year term were Henry Tessman, general manager of Great Wolf Resorts and Dr. James Vander Hooven, president of Mount Wachusett Community College.  In addition, Matthew Fournier, president of Elite Construction & Design was elected to serve a one year term on the board.

Continuing current terms on the Board of Directors are Neil Abramson, ECI Stores; Will Aubuchon, IV, W.E. Aubuchon Company; Wayne Canty, Heat Trace Products; Steve Duvarney, Duvarney Jewelers; David Duval, Protective Services; Ken Gurge, Law Offices of Kenneth W. Gurge; Dr. Richard Lapidus, Fitchburg State University; Anne Leader, Vision Payroll; Christopher McCarthy, Fidelity Bank; and Steve Rocheleau, Rocheleau Tool & Die, Inc