By David Tyler
MANLIUS – Lauren Burdick has joined the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce as its new chamber administrator. Burdick replaces Pam O’Malley, who was recently hired as the new director of the FM Food Pantry.
Burdick, a Central New York native and graduate of LeMoyne College, has lived in Fayetteville with her husband, Jared, for the past six years. She has been an executive assistant at InterSurgical in East Syracuse for the past three years and previously worked as a legal assistant for 14 years.
Earlier this year, the Burdicks – who are avid runners – started their own business, Miles & Macros, LLC, which provides running coaching and nutritional consultation services. Both the Burdicks are certified running coaches and Lauren is a certified nutritional consultant.
During the pandemic, they saw more and more people getting into running and saw their new venture as an opportunity to help people maximize their running abilities, improve their nutrition, and lead healthier lifestyles.
“It’s been really great because it’s opened us both up to really getting to know more people,” she said.
The new business also put on display the challenges of operating a small, local business, particularly during a period of economic hardship. She and Jared shifted their focus to spend their dollars with local businesses and restaurants, she said, and that was one of the forces that led her to apply for the position at the chamber.
“I felt like it’s just time to take notice about what is going on here,” she said. “I really wanted to start getting into more community-based things.”
In her role with the chamber, Burdick will work with the volunteer board of directors to coordinate events, provide marketing services for member businesses, and work to help promote the services and products available in the greater Manlius area.
“We will definitely miss Pam, and wish her only the best at the FM Food Pantry, but we’re really excited to bring Lauren on board,” said chamber board president David Jones. “Lauren has a lot of enthusiasm for the position and as a local entrepreneur, she knows first-hand the importance of supporting the businesses in our community.”
Burdick starts in her new position on June 2, and will be available at the chamber offices Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To contact the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce, visit manliuschamber.com or call (315) 637-4760. The chamber’s office is located on the lower level of the Fayetteville Municipal Building.
