The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce is in the hunt for an interim chief executive officer.
On KVOE’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Chamber Board Chair Lisa Kirmer said the process is nearing the end.
Kirmer says this will help move the Chamber forward with its operations.
This also comes as plans are crystallizing — but are not yet set — for the Flint Hills Economic Alliance, the proposed economic development agency designed to include the Chamber, Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas, Emporia Enterprises, Emporia Main Street and Visit Emporia if the current model is ultimately approved.
The move towards an interim CEO follows the departure of longtime president and CEO Jeanine McKenna last summer, followed by the separation from previous interim CEO Christian Keisler right before the Chamber’s annual meeting in early February.
The move also overlaps another executive-level process underway inside the Trusler Business Center after Brad Kraft, the RDA’s board president, resigned that role to become the RDA’s interim vice president to work alongside interim President and CEO Lyle Butler earlier this month. Jeff Williams, the RDA board president last year and the RDA board’s most recent vice president, returns to his role as board president.
