Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 17, 1990 TAG: 9005170408
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Chamber officials, attributing the rapid turnover to coincidence, say the changes in the top staff position have not damaged the organization.
Ellett announced her resignation to the Board of Directors on Tuesday, after having served just four months. She will return to Central Fidelity Bank in Christiansburg, where she worked for 17 years as trust officer.
"It was an extremely hard decision for me to make. However, [banking] is what I had been trained for," she said.
Ellett said she will retain her seniority and employee benefits at the bank, but declined to say whether she was offered higher pay.
Several board members praised Ellett's work with the chamber, as well as the work of past executive directors.
"To say the least, we're all frustrated," said Mac McClelland, who saw two executive directors resign during his term as president last year. "But it's one of those situations - you can't combat those things that take place."
Like Ellett, the past three executive directors all apparently left for personal or career reasons:
Vicki Futrell, who was in the job two years, left in April of 1988 to take a job with the Metropolitan Richmond Chamber of Commerce as vice president of marketing and membership.
Michael Chrisawn left in July 1989 after one year to join his sister in a family-run business in Tennessee.
Dian Burns took over in August 1989, but left five months later to join her husband on sabbatical and subsequent worldwide tour.
Ellett began in February.
The chamber started out with a part-time secretary and part-time hours about 25 years ago, McClelland said, and mostly distributed travel brochures.
About 10 years ago, the organization hired a full-time executive director and launched fund-raising campaigns and membership drives.
This year's budget is roughly $100,000, he said, andstaff is up to two full-time and two part-time people. Membership has fluctuated around 470 over the past two years.
"I think the chamber will carry on," said Doug Eckel, Blacksburg economic development coordinator. "It's got a lot of consistency [and] built-in momentum."
Eckel, who works closely with several chamber committees, said he has not seen any adverse affect in the chamber's work or programs due to the turnover.
The 16 board members serve staggered three-year terms. Each year the board sets policies and goals, which the executive director carries out.
Although board members say the chamber is going strong, they acknowledge that the turnover may have resulted in some inconsistencies.
"Obviously, it's better if you could keep one person for several years," said Gail Lucas, vice president of organizational development.
The board was concerned about "the fact that people would wonder if it's the job," she said, but added that the turnover is caused by "an unusual set of circumstances."
McClelland said the chamber, giving more weight to someone with a background in local affairs rather than sheer professional experience, would confine its search for a new executive director to the New River and Roanoke valleys.
by CNB