Einar Forsman to retire as head of the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app

ROCKFORD — Einar Forsman, the longtime leader of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce before he took the reins of its newly formed umbrella organization in 2021, will retire at the end of the year.

Forsman led the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership as its CEO since its inception. The organization, which works to accelerate the region’s business growth, formed in January 2021 to unify the Rockford Chamber of Commerce and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.

He was chosen for the role because of his decades of work helping businesses succeed in the region.

“Einar has been an incredible leader for decades through his work at the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College and the Rockford Chamber of Commerce,” Mayor Tom McNamara said in a news release. “His knowledge and experience have been critical in moving our community forward, and his presence in the business community will be truly missed. I wish him and his wife the best in their new adventure.”

More news: Rock Valley College’s newest piece of equipment will help new careers take flight

Forman served for 14 years as the president and CEO of the local chamber before joining the Greater Rockford Growth Partnership. He was previously the director of economic and business outreach for Rock Valley College and worked as city administrator for Rockford for eight years. He was selected for that role by former Mayor Charles Box.

“When I came to Rockford it was at the start of my professional career, and I expected to be here just few years. Now, here I am 36 years later with a community that embraced me personally and professionally,” Forsman said in a news release. “It has been my honor to support and advance the community in any way I was able to.”

More news: Introducing Colman Yards: A first look at the vision for Rockford’s Barber-Colman complex

Forsman has also served on several volunteer nonprofit boards, including the Workforce Connection, Lifescape Services, Community Kitchen, Inc., Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rockford Health Council, Rockford Area Economic Development Corporation, and the YMCA of Rock River Valley.

“Einar’s contributions to the Chamber and GRGP have been significant and meaningful toward the development of Rockford,” said Jeff Hultman, president and CEO of Illinois Bank and Trust and board chairman of the growth partnership. “His extensive knowledge of the area, local leaders and community organizations helped move initiatives forward; he will be missed and I wish Einar and his wife well in retirement.”

The Growth Partnership is beginning discussions regarding the search for a new leader. 

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.