A downtown St. Joseph business owner is making a big career adjustment that will put her at the head of a large Chamber of Commerce organization in Missouri.
Valerie Byrnes, the owner of Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion on State Street downtown has been appointed the new President of the Independence, MO Chamber of Commerce. Independence is a community of about 125,000, the largest suburb of the Kansas City metro area in far Western Missouri. It’s famous as the boyhood home and final resting place of President Harry S. Truman, as well as the site of his Presidential Museum.
The Independence economy is said to be driven by health care systems, local government and schools, and a Northrup Grumman aerospace technology plant.
In a sense, Byrnes is returning to her professional roots. Prior to her ownership of Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion, Byrnes was a successful economic development professional in the Battle Creek and Hastings area.
She purchased Waterfront Framing in 2019 and over several years transformed it into a wide-ranging store that retained its legacy in framing and fine art, while expanding into the world of boutique fashion and accessories. Along the way, Byrnes welcomed her daughter Emily into the business as well. The store moved from its longtime location on Ship Street around the corner to a larger space on State in 2022.
On social media, Byrnes commented:
“When the opportunity presents itself to take the lead of a vibrant organization doing the work I love, life pivots. And the bonus is that it positions me to now live 30 minutes from my firstborn daughter…pure joy.
No worries….Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion will live on with a pivot as well. Stay tuned for more information to come.”
Contacted by MoodyOnTheMarket.com, Byrnes declined further comment. She begins her new assignment in Missouri in mid-July.
Here is the formal announcement from the Independence Chamber:
The Independence Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a leadership transition, welcoming Valerie Byrnes as its new President, effective mid-July. With more than 30 years of experience in economic development and community engagement, Valerie brings a wealth of expertise and an impressive track record of fostering business growth and innovation. She succeeds Tom Lesnak, who over the last 18 years, served Independence as the President of Independence Economic Development and the Independence Chamber of Commerce. Lesnak announced his retirement in January, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and community advancement.
Valerie’s collaborative approach and deep commitment to strengthening ties between local businesses, government agencies, and community organizations make her an exceptional leader to advance the Chamber’s mission of promoting economic prosperity throughout the region.
Throughout her career, Valerie has held key leadership roles, including Regional Manager of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West MI, President and CEO of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance, and Small Business Retention and Development Director for the City of Battle Creek, MI. She has spearheaded lasting community enhancements, from industry expansion to small business development, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Notably, Valerie will be the first woman President in the Chamber’s 105-year history, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing evolution and commitment to inclusive leadership.
Her strategic problem-solving led to the creation of a $1.5 million Revolving Loan Fund through a public-private partnership supporting new commercial growth. She also played a vital role in the re-establishment of a regional Planning Council, securing approval for a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Valerie’s leadership has fostered tourism councils, downtown merchant groups, and entrepreneur support programs that continue to strengthen their communities today.
Most recently, Valerie successfully owned and operated a retail business, tripling both its footprint and revenue over five years. Her firsthand experience navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship gives her valuable insight into the needs of Chamber members, and she looks forward to developing new value-driven services that support inclusive growth across the business community.
Doug Cowan, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, shared his enthusiasm for Valerie’s appointment:
“The Chamber received more than 150 applications for the President role, and we’re thrilled that our search ended with Valerie. We believe her experience makes her the perfect leader for the next generation of our Chamber. Her skill set puts the Chamber in the right position to help our members, strengthen our community, and bring continued economic development to our city. We ask that our community and our Chamber members warmly welcome and support Valerie.”
