Chamber Staff

Executive Director: Wendy J. Laros, M.Ed.

Communications and Marketing Coordinator: Seth Feldman

Administrative Assistant and Membership Services: Lydia Hoeppner

Executive Director: Wendy J. Laros, M.Ed.

Professional Chamber Associations: As a firm believer in lifelong learning and the value of professional development opportunities, Executive Director Laros has taken the Chamber executive path to professionalism through the Western Association of Chamber Executives Academy (3rd year) and member of the national Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Laros regularly attends conferences, workshops or webinars to build skills as a chamber executive.

Community Outreach: As the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Laros is a member of the Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) Advisory Council, the Hawaiʻi Community College Advisory Council, and an ex-officio member of the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. She has been a guest and presented at local Rotary Clubs, the Waimea Community Association, Business Network International (BNI) and other community organizations and associations. 

House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness: Representing the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Laros is a member of the House Select Committee on COVID-19 Economic and Financial Preparedness established by House Resolution No. 54. This committee is tasked with identifying the potential economic and financial impact to the State, developing short-term and long-term mitigation plans and monitoring COVID-19 conditions and outcomes. Members include representatives from government, private industry and non-profit organizations. 

History with the Chamber: Wendy Laros connected to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce more than a decade ago as a member participating in the Chamber's numerous events, luncheons, business expos, and educational seminars. In 2012, she attended the Hawaiʻi Island Economic Summit, a Chamber sponsored event designed to inspire business leaders to explore possibilities and initiate strategies to improve the island's economy. After the Summit, Chamber members were invited to a newly formed education working group. Laros joined the group which evolved to the Education and Workforce Development Committee. She chaired the committee from 2014-2016 as the group conducted the West Hawai‘i Workforce Needs Assessment, a study published by the Chamber.

Background: Born and raised in Northern California, Laros moved to Hawai‘i in 1986. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Hawai‘i Hilo where she graduated with highest honors and a M.Ed. in Learning Design and Technology from UH Manoa. Prior to working at the Chamber, she was the Director of Outreach and Education and head of Marketing at Jack's Diving Locker, an internationally recognized, locally owned business in the ocean tourism industry with a focus on environmental stewardship and community service. Laros was part of the Jack's team from 1991-2016. In 2002, she and husband, Keller Laros, cofounded a non-profit organization - Manta Pacific Research Foundation - where she held the position of President of the Board for the first seven years of the organization's existence. The couple have three children who were all born and raised in the Kona and Kohala districts on the Island of Hawai‘i.

Accounts and Membership Services Manager: Lydia Hoeppner

As Membership Services Manager, rely on Lydia to help you with KKCC services such as Member Marketplace, Member Spotlight and advertising in The Source - the Chamber's annual business magazine and member directory. 

What does Lydia like most about the Kona-Kohala Chamber? She states, “I like the diversity of the membership and the events that we do. I’m really enjoying getting to know our members better everyday.”

Lydia is a strong advocate for dog rescue and volunteers with KARES – Kohala Animal Relocation Education Services – to foster and take dogs to adoption events.