Mark Bachamp will culminate more than 15 years of service to the regional business community in 2021 by serving as chairman of the Manhattan Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce.
Bachamp, a professional engineer and business development senior leader with Olsson, said he is honored to help lead the chamber after serving for nearly 11 years on the board of directors. His volunteer involvement with the chamber, which held its 96th Annual Meeting and Banquet Friday, Feb. 19, goes back to 2006 when he joined the membership committee.
A primary goal for 2021 is to create a plan for future growth. Bachamp said he believes renewed focus on developing future industrial sites and buildings is essential to spurring job creation and economic growth in the region.
“Mark has been a longtime advocate for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and is a great choice by our board to lead the organization in 2021,” said Jason Smith, president and CEO of the chamber. “Mark is a true champion of both local businesses and regional development. We are excited about his priorities of job and population growth and look forward to making significant advancements in both areas.”
A resident of Manhattan since 1989, Bachamp holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University (KSU). He has served in various leadership roles for professional and civic organizations and is a graduate of Leadership Manhattan. His involvement with the chamber began in 2004 and he joined the board of directors in 2010.
His work for Olsson, a nationally recognized engineering and design firm with an office in Manhattan, keeps him tightly connected to the business community. Local projects he has led include the chilled water system for the KSU campus, the Aggieville Vision to Reality plan, and improvements to the west stadium, Vanier and south end zone for KSU Athletics.
“Olsson has a great company slogan that I have lived my whole career and that is ‘We work to leave the world better than we found it,’” Bachamp said. “I want to help the chamber achieve a path for growth that leaves the Manhattan region better for the next 30 years.”