Longtime resident takes helm of Menlo chamber Longtime resident takes helm of Menlo chamber (February 11, 2004)

The new president and CEO of the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce is by no means new to the city. Fran Dehn, who began work February 2 in the chamber's top paid staff position, has lived in Menlo Park for more than 30 years.

Ms. Dehn, chosen by the chamber's board of directors after a three-month search, has a background in biochemistry and has worked for both SRI International and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. More recently, she entered the computer industry and worked as director of outsourcing for Compaq, she said.

While settling into her new role, Ms. Dehn said she would be meeting with other chamber officials along the Peninsula as well as chamber board members in Menlo Park. She also plans to work closely with David Johnson, the business development manager for the city of Menlo Park, to help businesses thrive in the city.

"We would all like to think that the economy is on the upswing. I believe that it is," Ms. Dehn said, noting improvements in the stock market.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.