In sudden switch, Minneapolis Regional Chamber names interim CEO

The leader of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber resigned Thursday morning, prompting the chamber to install an interim CEO to lead the organization.

The chamber has started a search for its next full-time chief executive but did not explain in a news release why it was necessary to replace Jonathan Weinhagen, who had led the group since 2016.

A chamber spokeswoman confirmed Weinhagen’s resignation but declined to offer further details. Weinhagen could not be reached for comment.

Weinhagen previously worked at the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and has been on the board of the Mounds View Public Schools for 10 years.

Interim CEO John Stanoch served as the chamber’s temporary president for seven months in 2016 before Weinhagen took the job. Stanoch has also been the past board chair of the chamber.

“I look forward to connecting with business leaders in Minneapolis and the region to move their priorities forward as the board focuses on its search for the organization’s permanent leader,” Stanoch said in a statement.

He has extensive corporate and nonprofit experience, and currently serves as the board chair of the Medica Foundation.

“The Minneapolis Downtown Council has a long history of partnership with the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, and we’ll be working with interim CEO John Stanoch and their board as they move forward,” council CEO Adam Duininck said in a statement.

The chamber, which advocates for the local business community, has 2,300 members throughout the 13-county Twin Cities metro area.