News
Chamber head resigns post
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
After only a few months on the job, Terri Jo Neff has resigned as executive director of the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Kim Lockhart, president of the chamber, said Neff resigned during a regular board meeting last week for personal reasons. Neff did not submit a letter of resignation, but informed the board in person, she said.
Neff had started working part time for the chamber in August, and moved to full time in October.
"The board has accepted the resignation of Terri Jo Neff as executive director," Lockhart said in a statement. "Terri Jo is moving on to her own business interests. The members of the board wish her well on her future endeavors."
Neff, who has written stories as a freelancer for the San Pedro Valley News-Sun, said she is looking forward to her future.
"The chamber is a wonderful organization that provides many benefits to local businesses," Neff said. "I enjoyed my time working with several local businesses while at the chamber, and was energized by the enthusiasm of the business community. There is so much potential within the greater Benson business community, and I'm eager to work more closely with area businesses and groups to promote, develop and support that potential."
Lockhart said the chamber has already started advertising to fill the executive director position. Neff was hired to replace Debbie Thompson, who had to resign earlier this year for personal reasons.
With plenty of events on schedule, Lockhart said the chamber will move forward, and plans to host Christmas on Main Street as scheduled. The board managed to make the necessary preparations for Butterfield Stage Days in October, and can do the same for Christmas on Main Street, she said.
Christmas on Main Street is set for Saturday, Dec. 13.
Besides losing Neff, Lockhart said there have been some other changes with the chamber, including several new board members.
Beverly Purscell stepped up to the position as board secretary, and new board member Megan Brown was appointed treasurer.
To help with expanding services and events for chamber members and the community, the board has also established several leadership positions.
David DiPeso is the government relations chair, Steve Sacco is the IT chair, Janice Batstrone is the Christmas on Main Street event chair, Jennifer Rush is the public relations chair, and Patty Lambert is the administrative oversight advisor.
"We're so excited to have this new injection of energy and expertise on the board to serve our member businesses," Lockhart said.
After only a few months on the job, Terri Jo Neff has resigned as executive director of the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Kim Lockhart, president of the chamber, said Neff resigned during a regular board meeting last week for personal reasons. Neff did not submit a letter of resignation, but informed the board in person, she said.
Neff had started working part time for the chamber in August, and moved to full time in October.
"The board has accepted the resignation of Terri Jo Neff as executive director," Lockhart said in a statement. "Terri Jo is moving on to her own business interests. The members of the board wish her well on her future endeavors."
Neff, who has written stories as a freelancer for the San Pedro Valley News-Sun, said she is looking forward to her future.
"The chamber is a wonderful organization that provides many benefits to local businesses," Neff said. "I enjoyed my time working with several local businesses while at the chamber, and was energized by the enthusiasm of the business community. There is so much potential within the greater Benson business community, and I'm eager to work more closely with area businesses and groups to promote, develop and support that potential."
Lockhart said the chamber has already started advertising to fill the executive director position. Neff was hired to replace Debbie Thompson, who had to resign earlier this year for personal reasons.
With plenty of events on schedule, Lockhart said the chamber will move forward, and plans to host Christmas on Main Street as scheduled. The board managed to make the necessary preparations for Butterfield Stage Days in October, and can do the same for Christmas on Main Street, she said.
Christmas on Main Street is set for Saturday, Dec. 13.
Besides losing Neff, Lockhart said there have been some other changes with the chamber, including several new board members.
Beverly Purscell stepped up to the position as board secretary, and new board member Megan Brown was appointed treasurer.
To help with expanding services and events for chamber members and the community, the board has also established several leadership positions.
David DiPeso is the government relations chair, Steve Sacco is the IT chair, Janice Batstrone is the Christmas on Main Street event chair, Jennifer Rush is the public relations chair, and Patty Lambert is the administrative oversight advisor.
"We're so excited to have this new injection of energy and expertise on the board to serve our member businesses," Lockhart said.
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