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06/30/2020 12:00 AMAfter a lengthy career with the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce including serving as its executive director, Dee Prior Nesti has retired from the chamber.
To celebrate her retirement, the chamber held a special virtual retirement send-off on June 25. More than 40 people attended the meeting at which Prior Nesti’s friends and family were able to tell her how much they would miss her.
“It’ a celebration but a sad day as well,” said Greater New Haven Chamber President Garrett Sheehan.
Quinnipiac Chamber Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Gary Ciarleglio praised Prior Nesti’s passion and the leadership she brought to the chamber, especially during her sales calls.
“She’s been a fantastic leader for us,” said Ciarleglio. “Dee is like a cowgirl on a horse with two guns blazing.”
Michael Nesti, Prior Nesti’s husband, said that “she’s all-in, all the time” on whatever she is working on. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of her.”
Nesti humorously noted his wife’s success wasn’t all to his liking: “I grew up in this town and now she knows more people than I do,” said Nesti.
Many speakers referenced Prior Nesti’s positive attitude, her work at the different events organized by the chamber, and her leadership. “Classy” was a word several different speakers used to describe Prior Nesti.
Prior Nesti was named executive director in 2013 after working as the chamber’s account executive. She joined the chamber in 2006 after a career in business development, event planning, and sales positions, including work for Bear Stearns in the commodity markets on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
When it was Prior Nesti’s turn to speak, she began by saying “I want to thank my husband Mike for being behind me 100 percent.”
Under her leadership, the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce has been voted “the Best Chamber in the Region” for the last two years in the Record Journal People’s Choice Award.
“I was successful at this because of all of you,” Prior Nesti told the gathered members and board members. “You really are only as good as your team.”
Prior Nesti said she will keep busy refurbishing a new house located not far from the chamber building and promised she wouldn’t be a stranger at chamber events once they are able to be held in person again.
“I’ll be hugging each and every one of you whether you like it or not,” Prior Nesti said.