The Truckee Chamber of Commerce provides a host of benefits and programs designed to assist and promote members. It’s the hub of the business community, keeping members informed, educated and connected. Businesses that join are supporting a vital organization and professional staff that is actively involved in the community who work on behalf of our members to enhance and improve the community and business climate. Learn about the Truckee Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Policy and guidelines for submitting advocacy requests.
In partnership with the Town of Truckee, The Truckee Chamber of Commerce manages destination marketing for Truckee through a comprehensive marketing strategy and the California Welcome Center that assists over 100,000 visitors every year, offering valuable information and services for today’s traveler.
Founded in 1912 and incorporated in 1953, the Chamber administrative offices, and California Welcome Center currently operate out of the historic train depot in downtown Truckee.
Our mission is to promote and develop local business and tourism while improving the community’s quality of life.
President/CEO
530-587-8808
Contact Us
Jessica Penman is the newest member of the Truckee Chamber of Commerce team having taken over the President & CEO position in October 2022. As the new President & CEO she is excited to make sure the Truckee Chamber continues to be the voice of business and a champion for our community. Before coming to Truckee, Jessica was the Director of Community Relations at the Yountville Chamber of Commerce, in Napa County, for the past five years. Jessica has extensive experience in marketing, sales, membership relations, community development, and workforce issues. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a BA in Anthropology and Classical Civilizations and a MA in Egyptian Archaeology from University College London. In addition to her chamber work, she has taught at community colleges for the past eight years. Jessica has lived in Italy, Egypt, and England and loves to travel to new places. Jessica grew up spending her weekends and holidays in Truckee and could not be more thrilled to be making Truckee her permanent home. When she is not working, she loves hiking with her boyfriend, running with her dog Indiana Jones, and reading far too many books.
Manager California Welcome Center; Membership + Events Manager; Operations Manager
530-412-7062
Contact Us
Ruth Geresy has been with the Truckee Chamber of Commerce since 2001. Ruth is the Manager of the California Welcome Center in the historic train depot downtown and also manages membership services. The California Welcome Center assists over 220,000 visitors annually. Ruth also serves as the Director of Operations for the Chamber. Ruth graduated from CSU, Chico with a BA in Social Psychology and Business Administration. Her passion for skiing landed her in Truckee in 1980 where she met her husband, Don Geresy of Don Geresy Construction. Their daughters, Katie and Jenny were both born and raised in Truckee, only leaving Truckee to obtain their college degrees. Prior to joining the Chamber, Ruth worked at the Truckee Tahoe Airport for 19 years. In that role, she produced the annual Air Show that attracted thousands of spectators. Ruth was the guiding force creating Relay For Life of Truckee Tahoe for ten years. Ruth has been recognized on numerous occasions for her significant contributions including 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award by the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce; honored in 2011 by Rotary Club of Truckee and the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International with a Paul Harris Fellow; and in 2013 named Truckee’s female Citizen of the Year by Truckee Interclub.
Truckee Jobs Collective Liaison; Communications Manager
530-412-7056
Contact Us
Melissa helps connect job seekers and employers through the Truckee Jobs Collective and is responsible for managing, growing, and enhancing the program. In her role as Communications Manager, she develops timely and effective communications, consistent with the brand, including Big Life Weekly, New Jobs This Week, and Big Life Connections e-newsletters. She develops content for Truckee.com, and writes and edits for Truckee.com: An Insider’s Guide magazine. Melissa has been with the Chamber since 2016 and brings more than 30 years of experience writing, editing, and building teams. After receiving a BS in Communications, she was an AP reporter, then worked in hotel/travel-related and political public relations in Washington D.C. She moved to San Francisco in the early ’90s and worked for book publishers, becoming managing editor of a team of 40+ for the national McGraw-Hill Higher Education Humanities and Social Sciences list. Melissa worked remotely for McGraw-Hill in Truckee from 2004-2012 and since then has worked as a freelance writer and editor for TTUSD and small businesses. She was a volunteer founder of Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, has served on nonprofit Boards, and has volunteered for the North Tahoe-Truckee Homeless Services since it opened. Melissa loves dancing to great local music, mountain biking, skiing, and paddle boarding with her family and friends, and being a part of our great Truckee community.
Truckee Tahoe Workforce Housing Agency
Executive Director
Aegis/Interwest Insurance Services
General Manager
Tahoe Forest Hospital District Executive Director, Governance & Business Development
Sierra Small Business Development Center
Sierra Business Council
Associate Director
Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe
Executive Director
Chris Fajkos Luxury Real Estate
Realtor
Quality Automotive Servicing
Owner
Second Home Care, Inc.
President
Pacific Crest Wealth Planning
Wealth Planner
Plumas Bank
Business Relationship Officer
Porter Simon, A Professional Corporation
Partner
