Finally, some official communication from the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce to the community.
Six months after an abrupt departure of their executive director, more than a month after it was reported another hire had occurred, and just a week after it became public their former VP would be continuing to work elsewhere on regional tourism initiatives -- finally, word comes from the chamber's chairman of the board, Mike Soriano:
As 2009 fades into the distance we look back on a year that has impacted the Chamber like none before. We have taken our hits from plenty of bad publicity, an ongoing investigation, many staffing changes, and several financial hurdles, but through it all we have emerged on this side of the ball drop with an optimistic look towards the future.
Bad publicity for the Chamber has been an issue for some time now. Let’s face it, this problem is mostly a product of our own doing. For years the Chamber has butted heads with the various people and organizations that we should have been working together with to promote and benefit your businesses. For an organization where communication should be one of our strongest assets, we managed to make it one of our greatest liabilities. I can assure you that changing this culture is a priority for the 2010 Board of Directors and we have begun the long process of rebuilding the many bridges that have been burned in the past.
We have also had to endure the mention of the police investigation in every Chamber news story and the fact that no charges have been filed. Unfortunately, although the Board of Directors initiated this investigation immediately after a red flag was raised late last June, a full and proper investigation of this nature takes time. While I cannot speak to specifics of the ongoing investigation, I can tell you that the Chamber has cooperated fully with the investigating authorities. A complete accounting of all Chamber and Tourism Development Council funds was immediately performed by an independent agency and turned over to the authorities. Internally, through this accounting, it became painfully obvious that while our staff financial policies and procedures were very good on paper, the Chamber had issues with implementation. The Board of Directors has taken action see that these policies are followed and ensure the security of your Chamber dollars.
The start of the investigation also marked the start of an internal Chamber process to find our new Executive Director. I am happy to say that on December 14, after having been approved by the Board of Directors, Catherine Sutton started in her position as the new Executive Director of your Chamber. Catherine is a Certified Association Executive and comes to us with years of non-profit leadership experience and has been able to hit the ground running. Many of you have met her already but if you have not had the chance yet, please make time to attend our first Business After Hours of 2010 on January 21 at the Courtyard Marriott in Blacksburg. This will be a great opportunity for Catherine and the 2010 Board of Directors to get to know you and learn what you would like to see the Chamber do for you.
The events of 2009 have undoubtedly put a strain on the Chamber’s finances. In a time when businesses look harder at every dollar they spend, it is amazing to see the numbers of new and renewing members along with the return of former members that we have lost in the past. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I would like to say Thank You for sticking with us through these difficult times and it is your commitment to the Chamber that will allow us to forge ahead and continue to provide the quality services that you expect. I firmly believe that by this time next year, with your help, the 2011 Chair will be reporting that the Chamber is stronger than ever.
This doesn't mention much about the regional tourism initiative, nor many "irons in the fire" relative to other commitments or partnerships between the chamber and several organizations or business groups. Whether these continue -- with the chamber itself, or with the newly established NRVCVB leader -- it yet to be disclosed.