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About Us
Behind the Scenes At The Chamber

Your Dream. Our Mission.

Backing Local Business in Genesee County

At the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, we’re all about helping local businesses succeed—and in turn, making our community a better place to live and work.

Our members come from all corners of the local economy, from small shops to large organizations. With nearly 500 businesses in our network, we work behind the scenes to create opportunities, connect people, and support growth. When local businesses thrive, the whole community benefits.

We Promote 

From print to social media, we’re putting Genesee County businesses in the spotlight.

We Support 

From workshops to webinars, we keep local businesses educated, trained, and up-to-date—while advocating for their interests every step of the way.

 

We Connect

From networking gatherings to special events, we create opportunities for local businesses to connect, collaborate, and thrive.

We Shine

with an award-winning Tourism Department
From promoting Genesee County tourism to operating the Genesee County Visitor Center, the Chamber helps visitors discover all our community has to offer.

Mission

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven nonprofit dedicated to supporting, promoting, and connecting the businesses that drive our local economy. With over 500 members, we advocate for business interests, amplify visibility, and foster meaningful connections that create success—for our members and for the entire Genesee County community.

Vision

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce aims to be the driving force behind a prosperous, thriving, and connected business community. Through our initiatives, advocacy, and programs, we empower local businesses to grow, foster collaboration, and strengthen the economy—creating opportunities and success for all of Genesee County.

Our Chamber Team

The People Behind our Success
Brian Cousins
Brian Cousins
President

Brian Cousins

President
Brian Cousins
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Brian Cousins serves as President of the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, bringing more than 25 years of diverse experience at Darien Lake, where he held leadership roles spanning marketing, operations, entertainment, and accommodations. His career there provided a broad perspective on business and hospitality while creating a lasting connection to the community, it’s also where he met his wife, Cherie. As passionate travelers, Brian and Cherie have explored a wide-range of destinations, which reinforces his belief that there is something truly special about the place they call home. Brian is proud to live, work, and serve in Genesee County and is committed to helping make it a place where people and businesses can thrive. He believes strongly in the Chamber’s mission to bring together those who work, live, and play here, while creating opportunities for people with the vision and determination to turn their ideas and dreams into reality. 

Picture of Kaeli
Kaeli Kleinbach-LaFrance
Partnerships & Membership Manager

Kaeli Kleinbach-LaFrance

Partnerships & Membership Manager
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Kaeli Kleinback-LaFrance is the Partnerships & Membership Manager at the Chamber, she is responsible for building and growing collaborative relationships with the current & prospective members of Genesee County. With several years of experience in roles such as, Assistant Restaurant & Banquet Manager at Terry Hills and Brand Manager & Event Coordinator at Eli Fish Brewing Company, she brings experience in event planning, brand management, content creation, and creative design. Providing new insight when assisting Chamber members, connecting local businesses, and aligning mutual interests to reach shared goals throughout the community. Kaeli attended graphic design school, moving to Buffalo from Akwesasne, a Mohawk reservation in Northern New York, where she met her husband, Ron. Upon switching her major to Fashion Business Management, she moved back to his hometown of Batavia, NY to attend GCC where she graduated with a concentration in Event Planning. Her involvement in the Fashion program, GCC student organizations, and her husband's new job at the City of Batavia Fire Department made it easy to appreciate the history & community. She believes that there is no substitute for human connection and works every day to create & foster meaningful experiences to be shared throughout Genesee County. 

Kelly Rapone
Kelly Rapone
Tourism Director

Kelly Rapone

Tourism Director
Kelly Rapone

Kelly Rapone serves as Tourism Director for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce and has led Genesee County’s tourism program for more than 25 years. She provides strategic leadership for the county’s destination marketing and tourism development efforts and remains excited and committed to an industry she discovered a passion for early in her career.

Kelly has built and led award-winning tourism, marketing, and community initiatives at the local, regional, and statewide levels. She enjoys uncovering niche opportunities and turning ideas into collaborative programs that build awareness, increase visitation, strengthen the visitor economy, and benefit Genesee County and its partners.

Paige O'Brien, Marketing and Content Coordinator
Paige O'Brien
Marketing & Content Coordinator

Paige O'Brien

Marketing & Content Coordinator
Paige O'Brien, Marketing and Content Coordinator
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Paige O’Brien is the Marketing & Content Coordinator at the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, where she creates engaging content, promotes Chamber events, highlights local businesses, and connects the community through social media and marketing. With a background in event planning, hospitality, agriculture, and communications, she brings a fresh perspective and creative approach to her work. Paige graduated from Early College High School with her high school diploma and an associate degree in Hospitality, Tourism, & Event Management from Genesee Community College. During her time at ECHS and GCC, she was heavily involved in student leadership, serving as Student Council President for two years. She also served as Vice President of the Byron-Bergen FFA Chapter, where she strengthened her leadership, public speaking, event planning, and agricultural knowledge while connecting with people throughout the community. These experiences have shaped Paige’s passion for bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. She hopes to continue growing her career in marketing and events while contributing to the businesses, organizations, and people that make Genesee County a great place to live, work, and grow.

Josh Dumbleton - Operations & Events Coordinator
Josh Dumbleton
Operations & Events Coordinator

Josh Dumbleton

Operations & Events Coordinator
Josh Dumbleton - Operations & Events Coordinator

Josh Dumbleton is the Events & Operations Coordinator for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, where he coordinates events, supports daily operations, and works closely with local businesses and community partners. Previously, Josh served as Pro Shop Manager at Timber Ridge Golf Club and as Athletic Facilities and Operations Coordinator at Drury University, bringing a strong background in event management, facility operations, customer service, and relationship building to his role. He is dedicated to creating meaningful connections, promoting local businesses, and supporting the continued growth of the Genesee County business community.

Our Chamber Board of Directors

2026 Executive Committee

Patrick McGee (Chair) - Byron-Bergen Central School District

Jocelyn Sikorski (Vice Chair Chair Elect) - Cornell Cooperative Extension

Kristina Raffa (Secretary) - Nortera Foods, Inc.

Mark Brooks (Treasurer) - Tompkins Community Bank

Peggy Weissend (Immediate Past Chair) - Visiting Nurse Association of WNY

2026 Directors

Michael Battaglia – Financial Advisor, Prudential

Jamie Beedham-Rada – YWCA of Genesee County, NY 

Jody A. Brege – Six Flags Darien Lake

Chris Devay – Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility

Leslie A. Vishwanath – National Grid

Justin Hopkins – M&T Bank

Dan Ireland – Rochester Regional Health/United Memorial Medical Center

Jeremy Liles – Oliver’s Candies

Barbara O’Rourke – Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel

Megan Palone – Oliver’s Candies

Richard Sutherland – Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council

Jake Whiting – Whiting Law Firm

Laurie M. Mancuso – Genesee County Legislative Liaison