ADAMS TWP — Two recently-merged chambers of commerce had a banquet Thursday night to unveil the new executive director and the group's new logo and title.

THE CHAMBER of Commerce, the new entity formed after the merger of the Cranberry Area and Northern Allegheny County chambers of commerce, named Susan Balla as its first executive director.

Balla, a former Cranberry chamber board chairwoman, is the business development officer at Gateway Bank and has more than 20 years of banking experience.

THE CHAMBER will represent more than 1,100 businesses and have the third largest membership in the Pittsburgh region behind the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Airport Area Chamber of Commerce.

Gary Basilone, president of the transitional board of the two chambers, told the audience of more than 50 people at the Treesdale Community Center that the board chose Balla over 150 candidates, some from as far away as Kentucky and Illinois.

He said Balla was the "overwhelming" choice as the new executive director.

He also said the two chambers of commerce flirted with the idea of a merger as many as five times previously, and the new chamber will provide a "larger, unified regional voice" for its members.

Basilone also said the merger will benefit all parties involved by increasing the group's political clout, buying power, networking capabilities and community visibility.

He added he was pleased with the name of the newly-formed organization.

"It best represents the significance and strength of the organization and the name says it all," he said. "We are THE CHAMBER in the region."

Balla told the assembled audience that it's "truly an honor and a privilege" to serve the new chamber. She later led the group in a toast of champagne to celebrate the merger.

"A commitment made to THE CHAMBER is a commitment made to the community," she said. "The journey is not over for the Cranberry chamber or the Northern Allegheny chamber. It's only beginning."

Butler County Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, who attended the ceremony, said he was more than happy to show his support for a powerful new regional entity that will help advance economic interests in southern Butler County.

"I think it will spur more economic development," he said. "They're merging two different areas that are already one area anyway. Put them together, and I think it will help both."

Basilone said the goal is to have the board of directors, which will likely be made up of 19 to 25 members, in place around Jan. 1.

The new chamber already has several events set for 2010. From 7 to 11 p.m. Jan. 15 it will host its "Begin Again in 2010" event that will include live bands.

Basilone added a golf outing is set for May 15 at the Treesdale Country Club.