Dan Clem is taking the helm at the Keizer Chamber of Commerce, returning to chamber work at a moment when the organization is looking for stable leadership after an extended interim stretch.
The chamber announced Feb. 5 that Clem has been named executive director and will begin Monday, Feb. 9. Board President Jeremy Turner said the board sees Clem as a leader who can support local businesses, advocate effectively, and bring people together around shared goals.The Keizer Chamber of Commerce provided much of the appointment information used in this story.
Clem brings a long public-service and advocacy background to the job, including 21 years in the U.S. Army, 12 years as a Salem city councilor, and two years with the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, he served as executive director of Salem’s Union Gospel Mission.
Turner said Clem’s combination of experience and relationships made him the right choice for what the chamber is trying to do next. “Dan’s depth of experience, strong relationships, and passion for community make him the right leader for this next chapter of the Keizer Chamber,” Turner said.
Clem’s career has moved between government, business advocacy, and community-based leadership, and he has often been tied to work that depends on partnerships and follow-through. In a Salem Business Journal profile published in 2025 as he prepared to retire from Union Gospel Mission, Clem described his approach in plain terms: “Leadership starts with being a servant.” The story also highlighted a major capital campaign and building project completed during his tenure, funded largely through private donations. Clem framed the effort as a community response, saying, “This wasn’t just a building. It was Salem showing up for the people who often have the least.”
In the chamber’s announcement, Clem cast the new role as a chance to work even closer with a city he says he’s admired for years. “The vibrant community of Keizer is where the pride, spirit, volunteerism, and the businesses make Keizer a great place to work, play, and raise our families,” he said.
He pointed to priorities that align with what chamber members typically expect from their organization: jobs and opportunity for businesses, public safety, and support for youth. He also thanked interim executive director Shaney Starr for holding the organization together during the transition, adding a line that underscored how he sees Keizer at its best: “When something is needed in Keizer, people show up!”
Clem’s early weeks will likely be measured in practical ways — whether communication feels consistent, whether the chamber’s presence is visible, and whether members feel like there’s a clear direction again. The hire gives the chamber a leader with deep local ties and a track record in organizations where success depends on trust, community relationships, and turning plans into outcomes.
