Anthony J. Mercadante, CPA, Managing Partner of Mercadante & Mercadante PC, a certified public accounting firm has been elected Chairman of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2016-17. The announcement was made at the chamber’s Annual Business Meeting on June 16, 2016.

Mercadante, a CPA and a lifelong Fitchburg resident, became managing partner of Mercadante & Mercadante PC in 1986 at the age of twenty-seven, a family business that has continued to increase its customer base under his leadership. The success of the company, which focuses primarily on auditing and small business tax services, led to Mercadante being asked to join industry leaders on a variety of local and statewide boards. As a community activist, he has served as a director of Massachusetts Share Insurance Corp., HealthAlliance Home Health and Hospice, Rollstone Bank & Trust, the Montachusett Regional YMCA, and on the Board of Trustees for Fitchburg State University. In addition, he serves as Treasurer of the Oak Hill Country Club, member of the  Advisory Board of St. Anthony School and a past president and director of the Fay Club. He has also served as a longtime coach for Fitchburg Youth Soccer.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Commerce & Finance in 1981 and a Masters in Taxation from Bentley College in 1985.

Mr. Mercadante has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for several years and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair and Treasurer. As the Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, Mr. Mercadante will work with the Board, Chamber staff, and membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region’s business community.

“As Chairman, Tony will play a significant role in advancing the Chamber’s goals and initiatives,” noted Roy Nascimento, Chamber President. “We are fortunate to have his respected leadership. We look forward to working with him to advance the interests of our members and promote North Central Massachusetts.”

He succeeds Doug Petersen, President & CEO of Workers’ Credit Union, 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 the advancement of North Central Massachusetts,” expressed Mr. Mercadante, “I am excited to continue Doug Petersen’s efforts and make sure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community.”

In the same election, Mark Freeman, president of Steel Fab, Inc. was voted Vice-Chairman and director Stephen Mullaney Jr., PE, president of S.J. Mullaney Engineering, Inc. was elected to the position of Treasurer.

New board members elected for a three-year term were Steve Duvarney, president of Duvarney Jewelers; Dr. Richard Lapidus, president of Fitchburg State University; Anne Leader, president of Vision Payroll; and Christopher McCarthy, president of Fidelity Bank. In addition, Lea Ann Scales, vice president of external affairs, communications, and K-12 Partnerships at Mount Wachusett Community College 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; David Duval, Protective Services; Paul DiGeronimo, Geronimo Properties; Ken Gurge, Law Offices of Kenneth W. Gurge; Steve Rocheleau, Rocheleau Tool & Die, Inc.; Eric Shapiro, The Lexvest Group/Phoenix Park; and Deborah Weymouth, HealthAlliance Hospital.