Annemarie Cooper Named New Winter Park Chamber President
Cooper, who was promoted from inside the chamber, replaces Betsy Gardner, who left in May
Aug. 13, 2026
By Beth Kassab
Leaders at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce announced Annemarie Cooper as the new president and chief executive of the 103-year-old organization that aims to promote the city’s businesses, arts scene and, in recent years, has taken an active role in city elections with a political action committee.
Cooper, who was the chamber’s director of government affairs, steps into the role about four months after Betsy Gardner left the position.
“My vision is to further strengthen our Chamber’s role as a driving force within the community by fostering meaningful, lasting partnerships that create opportunities for businesses and residents alike,” she said in a statement. “I want to ensure the Chamber remains the trusted voice of our business community, a respected advocate, a collaborative leader and a reliable resource that brings people together and helps shape a strong, vibrant future for our region.”
The chamber did not immediately respond to a question about whether Cooper would continue Winter PAC, the political action committee that most recently funded a candidate who tried to unseat Commissioner Kris Cruzada in 2025.
This year commissioners Elizabeth Ingram and Craig Russell were elected after no one filed to run against either one.
The next city election is the contest for mayor, which will be on the ballot in March of 2027. Sheila DeCiccio appears poised to run again, though the qualifying period doesn’t end until December.
Cooper’s previous experience includes lobbying for the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public utility, and serving as the executive director of the National Independent Pharmacy Coalition.
“Annemarie is the ideal leader to guide the Chamber into its next chapter,” said chamber board Chairman Keith Whittingham, the Rollins business professor and founder of Artfix Cafe, a “direct trade” coffee supplier that aims to provide more income to coffee bean farmers. “Her proven leadership experience, unwavering commitment to serving our members, and passion for advocating on behalf of the business community make her exceptionally well-suited for this role. She understands the importance of bringing people together, listening to the needs of our members, and leading events and programs that deliver real value.”
Other members of the chamber’s 2026 executive committee include Laura Walda of the Lowndes law firm, Arnaldo Oliveras of 180 Commercial Real Estate Advisors, Joel Knopp of Forvis Mazars, Diane DiFebbo of Full Sail University, Ivan Lys-Dobradin of The Gulf Stream Law Firm and Emily Williams of Be on Park and Z Properties.
On Sept. 18, the chamber will host a panel on Amendment 3, which will appear on the November ballot and could significantly reduce property tax revenue for local governments. The panel will include City Manager Randy Knight, Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph and Jeff Kottkamp, former lieutenant governor and current president of Florida TaxWatch.
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