Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl to step down after five years in small business advocacy

Toowoomba’s small business community will need a new top advocate, after Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl announced he would be departing soon.

Toowoomba’s leading advocate for the city’s small business community has revealed he is stepping aside.

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce chief executive Todd Rohl informed members on Friday afternoon that he would resign after more than five years in the role.

The Acland-raised Mr Rohl, who has held several positions in various organisations, will remain with the chamber until a suitable replacement could be found.

During his time with the organisation, Mr Rohl became known as a fierce advocate for members and other local operators — which occasionally would lead to stand-offs between himself and the Toowoomba Regional Council and the state government.

Todd Rohl is stepping down as CEO of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce. Picture: Kevin Farmer

His tenure featured the creation of the Darling Downs Regional Alliance of chambers, a 95 per cent increase in membership and developing various programs to connect different businesses.

Mr Rohl was also a weekly columnist in The Chronicle, which focused on a range of issues including payroll tax reform, housing reform, red tape and administration burden reduction, regional infrastructure, rural areas and townships and the CBD.

In his statement, the farmer and boutique horse breeder said he made no apologies for his support for Toowoomba’s small business community.

“It has been an honour to work with an organisation who is fiercely independent with a willingness to have a strong local voice and hold government accountable,” Mr Rohl said.

“It has been a privilege to stand up for the concerns of business and offer up solutions to support the region’s local business community.

“The outcomes achieved during my tenure would not have been possible without the support of the region’s kind, connected and caring business community.

“I am grateful for their ongoing assistance, guidance, and mentoring to date.”

Todd Rohl (centre) of Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce on the panel at the Future Toowoomba lunch at Wellcamp Airport, Friday, December 3, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba Chamber president Myf Rigby said Mr Rohl had displayed “passion, and dedication” since he was appointed in 2019.

“On behalf of the entire board, members, Chamber partners, and staff, I want to wholeheartedly thank Todd for his service to the Toowoomba Chamber and local businesses,” she said.

“Under his leadership, the organisation has achieved significant growth and success, and we are grateful for his sizeable contributions to advocacy and providing members with a platform to strengthen existing networks and connect with other business leaders.

“We look forward to his continued contribution in the coming years.”

Mr Rohl said he planned to focus on developing his farm at Boodua with his husband, while indicating he would likely stay involved in the Toowoomba small business community as a freelance consultant.

Originally published as Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl to step down after five years in small business advocacy