Chamber Chooses Trapp as New Leader

The Saline Area Chamber of Commerce has named Art Trapp as its new executive director.

Trapp, the City of Saline’s Downtown Development Director since Jan. 2, 2006, takes the place of Larry Osterling, who is retiring at the end of the month after 12 years leading the organization.

The chamber is hosting an open house for Osterling from 1-4 p.m. Friday at the .

Karen Ragland, President of the chamber’s Board of Directors, said Trapp’s familiarity with Saline and his strong relationships in the community will help the organization with the leadership transition.

“We’re thrilled to have Art on board. Art is very well known and very well liked in Saline,” said Ragland. “This should be a smooth transition.”

As Downtown Development Director, Trapp was responsible for many of Saline’s events, including Summerfest, Oktoberfest and Winterfest. He’s also played a large role in the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade. Trapp was also a member of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Lucy Ann Lance reported that Trapp was hired as executive director on her show Friday. Trapp told Lance he hopes to continue along the path set by Osterling. He also told Lance that he’d like meet all 470 members of the chamber.

Trapp resigned as Downtown Development Director to take the chamber position and begins his new job May 7. The city is eliminating the Downtown Development position at the end of June after committing $200,000 to the Michigan Main Street program over the next five years. The Main Street organization, which is not a government body, is in the process of hiring a manager.

Trapp joined the city after 35 years in commercial banking and commercial real estate sales, according to the city’s website. He holds a bachelors degree in business from Wayne State University. Trapp has served on the Saline Area Schools Board of Education, where he was president for three years. He has been a trustee for the Foundation for Saline Area Schools and Travis Pointe Country Club Finance Committee. Has also served on the Coalition for a Quality Community and Saline Sustainability Circle.

The Saline Area Chamber of Commerce was established in 1980 as a nonprofit civic organization dedicated to helping Saline become a better place to live and work.

Today the chamber represents a diverse array of businesses and individuals – nearly 500 members in all, largely from organizations in the City of Saline and the five surrounding townships of Bridgewater, Lodi, Pittsfield, Saline, and York.