Pelloni is switching chairs at chamberPelloni is switching chairs at chamber

MEEKER — Suzan Pelloni is moving on. But she’s not going far.
Meeker Chamber of Commerce President Margie Joy announced last week Pelloni will be stepping down as executive director, at her own request, to pursue other interests.
However, Pelloni, who has been executive director of the chamber since July 2006, will continue with the chamber, but in a different capacity.
“Suzan will move into the position of membership and events manager (for the chamber),” Joy said in last week’s chamber newsletter. “In this role her focus will be to work with members, identifying needs and helping to build programs to assist (members) in attaining (their) goals.”
Joy said the chamber’s No. 1 goal is “helping our businesses be successful.”
Last week, the chamber reached a milestone by adding its 200th member. When Pelloni came on board, the chamber had 73 members.
“Suzan has been a dynamic executive director and true leader,” Joy said. “It is because of her vision for the potential of the chamber that we are making these adjustments.”
In another staff change, Dee Cox, who has worked part time for health reasons since June, will become the “face in the office,” Joy said.
“The chamber office is known as the area visitors’ center,” Joy said. “It is important to have someone to greet and direct any travelers that stop by, or the potential visitor who phones for information. Dee will be that person. Dee will … help answer questions, fill relocation packets and other projects associated with building tourism traffic to our area.”
Cox will work 30 to 35 hours a week, “or whatever the chamber needs,” in her new role, she said.
“I’ll keep doing what I’m doing as well as specializing in the tourism,” Cox said.
The chamber will begin the process of finding a replacement for Pelloni, Joy said. An ad appears in this week’s Herald Times.
With the staff changes, the chamber is surveying members to solicit their ideas and suggestions.
“We need your input and insight … to help us understand your expectations of the chamber, the business environment in our area, and to let us know how we may better serve you,” Joy said.
The chamber’s board of directors will have a planning session Jan. 17 to discuss the direction of the organization.