Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Terri Bridenbecker died suddenly Sunday morning, the chamber announced.

Bridenbecker had been the leader of the organization since 2002, when she took over as executive director. She joined the chamber in 2000, working as finance director.

Details about her death were not immediately available and funeral arrangements were incomplete Sunday night.

The news stunned chamber staff and board members. Bridenbecker had been at work as normal on Friday.

“We are saddened by the unexpected loss of Terri,” said Beth Hoey, the board president, in a press release. “She has been a valuable leader of the Cayuga County Chamber, and a wonderful community leader as well. On behalf of the Chamber board of directors and staff, our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.”

Ginny Kent, who is membership coordinator and Leadership Cayuga director for the chamber, said she loved working with Bridenbecker.

“She was a very approachable boss and a very good friend and just a dear person,” Kent said.

Bridenbecker oversaw a county chamber with more than 400 members. She was a constant advocate for the local business community.

In one of her final public appearances, at the chamber's annual dinner in October, she spoke of the current national economic downturn with a sense of hope.

“These are interesting times. But it is not a time for despair or to wallow. We need to learn what needs to be done. You can feel the potential in Cayuga County,” Bridenbecker said.