Claudette Thornton joined the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce in April 2010 as the Director of Marketing and Communications.

Her responsibilities include the oversight and direction of all Chamber marketing, media and public relations initiatives including public relations strategies that assist with the retention and development of the membership and the ongoing promotion of the Chamber's image. She directs production of the Chamber's annual Membership Directory and Resource Guide, monthly newsletter, promotional materials, and two websites.

In addition, Claudette also manages The Leadership Institute, the Chamber's unique skills-based leadership program and The Leadership Institute Alumni Association. She oversees all of the Chamber's programs including the Annual Dinner, Van Rensselaer Awards Dinner, Golf Classic and monthly networking events.

Previously, Claudette served as deputy director of development at Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries where she managed their annual giving, donor stewardship, and development communications. She also served as an associate advancement officer in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s $1.4 billion capital campaign.

Claudette serves on the Board of the Capital Region Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America as Treasurer, is a Board Member of the Troy Downtown Business Improvement District and the Grafton Community Library, and is a member of the Communications Committee of Women in Development of Northeastern New York.