The Fresno Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Gena Behrens as its new chief operating officer.

Behrens brings more than 18 years of diverse fund development, management and administrative experience to the role. Most recently, she served as the director of development and alumni relations for the Bulldog Foundation at Fresno State, where she was responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive plan for athletic alumni engagement and fundraising.

In addition to her work at the Chamber, Behrens is currently the president of the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame. Under her leadership, the organization has transitioned from a volunteer board to hiring its first executive director to oversee daily operations.

Originally from Hanford, Behrens attended Fresno State on a softball scholarship. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in criminology and earned her master’s degree in sports administration in 2020. Behrens is married to her husband, John, also a former Fresno State athlete. Together, they enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren.