- December 4, 2025
Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nancy Keefer will be stepping down from her presidency in December.
Keefer has served as the Chamber's president and CEO for 12 years. On Dec. 18, Keefer will step down and Kristin Weiss will take her place. Weiss joined the Chamber on Oct. 6 as the incoming president and brings extensive experience in community development.
The public can welcome Weiss at the Chamber's upcoming Oct. 21 Business After Hours event at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach from 5-7 p.m.
Keefer recently sat down with the Daytona Beach Observer to talk about the growth she's seen in Daytona Beach, her retirement, the new president and where she sees business in Daytona Beach going.
How has the Daytona Beach business-scene grown while you’ve been president and CEO?
We have certainly seen a change in the demographics of our business base here. Specifically, with all of the work we're doing in aerospace and engineering, through Embry Riddle. You've seen us attract Boeing and [Aura] Aero – which are major aviation companies – to this area, because of the work that's being done to diversify our business base.
We're always going to have a very strong tourism base here. That's really a very, very important part of our industry. But you can even see the attraction we've had for new hotels to the market.
I think we've got great bones here in this community. We've got the respect for the longtime culture of being a tourism economy, with the intent of continuing to diversify and grow wages [and] higher paying jobs for the area. That's where we've seen a lot of change in that over the years.
Why have you decided to retire now?
You know, because I can. How’s that for an answer? I just love what I do and fortunately, I've made really smart choices throughout my life, from a financial standpoint. I want to be able to take the time to enjoy this beautiful community. I've worked hard for the past 12 years here and now I'm going to stay and I'm going to be the newest tourist in my own backyard.
And the Chamber is in such great shape with leadership and such a fabulous staff. It's nice to leave at a time when there's a good, solid foundation here to carry it forward and also to take it to the next level.
Where do you see the future president Kristin Weiss taking the Chamber over the next five to 10 years?
She's got such a great opportunity with a solid financial base here at the Chamber. We're very financially stable, brand new building, dedicated staff and great board leadership. I think she has a real opportunity to take this even further.
And she's got a passion for workforce development and education. I think that's something that's very much needed, we're very active in that now. But I think that's something that you'll see do even better in the years ahead. And just new and innovative ideas for the community: It's always great to get some fresh perspective. You know, don't ever forget who we are and where we're from, but always look at how we can move things forward.
Are there any areas for business growth that you feel are untapped potential for Daytona Beach?
I still think we've got to focus on those higher paying jobs. And it won't be just in the aerospace industry. It can be recruiting and retaining high level professionals in our area.
That's still a big part, between professional services of attorneys and CPAs and insurance. Those are really good paying jobs, and we need to continue to attract [them] and have an environment where people want to come here, to work, to stay and enjoy.
How does an active and strong chamber impact the lives of the everyday resident of Daytona Beach?
That's such a great question, and it's one we have a hard time putting a value to, because we're such a broad and diverse organization. What I will tell you is our belief is that every single member, regardless of size, makes an impact in this community, because they help us to better advocate for what the needs are, whether you're a business or a resident.
It helps us to provide mentors and training to our students who are future workforce. The events and everything are great, but where the rubber meets the road is how we improve the potential for this community.
Again, [it goes] back to workforce and advocacy and those types of things that we do, that we have to do each and every day, regardless of membership. When we have a strong membership, every single one of them has a place at the table and has a voice so that we can do it much more efficiently and effectively.
Is there any particular part about being president or CEO that you're going to miss more than the others?
I think it's working with the best and the brightest in our community. I get to sit around the table with business owners and elected officials of all shapes and sizes. And it really is being in the know of what's going on in the community and being a part of so much that's happening.
You can almost look out every day and say, ‘Gosh, I helped that small business get started,’ or ‘I helped an educational institution secure funding,’ things like that.
I think you miss being a part of that. And again, I'm incredibly proud of this building. We gutted our building and back. You know, we did raise $3.2 million and it's private sector money: businesses that believe in the future of this chamber and the future of the community. We have a beautiful, state of the art building with a lot of training spaces and meeting spaces, so that's probably one of the things I'm most proud of.
Is there any advice you'd like to give Miss Weiss and the team you're leaving behind?
Never settle for status quo. Always look to improve and build upon the foundation that's here while respecting the culture and the history of this community.
Lastly, is there any particular experience or lesson you've learned being with the Chamber for so long that you’re going to take with you?
The takeaway is how caring people are in this community. And how, even though sometimes, as residents and businesses, we might disagree on how we get somewhere, we always want to be at the end place. Which is making this the greatest place to live and work in.
