February 2011
Verraes takes chamber helm
Luncheon Speakers Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon meetings are held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., at noon each Monday, federal holidays excluded. Everyone is welcome!
Feb. 7 – John MacElwee John MacElwee, Executive Director of Centrum, will speak about Centrum, plans, and outline the hopes and challenges of the arts and education organization. MacElwee
Feb. 14 – Philip Morley Jefferson County Administrator Philip Morley will give us the current state of the county affairs, including an outlook on the county budget and beyond.
Feb. 21 – No meeting, President’s Day
Teresa Verraes is coming home to lead the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Born and raised in Jefferson County, Verraes helped found the Boiler Room young people’s coffeehouse in 1993 and since then has led a variety of entrepreneurial enterprises. She was the owner of the Artisans on Taylor Gallery from 2004 to 2009 and has wide experience in leadership, program development, marketing and sales. “I am very excited about the opportunity to come back to Port Townsend and work with our local business owners in a position that will grow the local business community, engage new members to work with the Chamber and bring almost 20 years of entrepreneurial and management experience to what is my dream job in my home community,” Verraes said. Currently a resident of
“I am very excited about the opportunity to come back to Port Townsend and work with our local business owners.” Teresa Verraes
Portland, Verraes will begin serving as executive director on a part-time basis immediately. She expects to assume the job on a full-time basis sometime in mid-February. She replaces Jennifer MacGillonie, who resigned to become a chamber director in California. Verraes was chosen after a hiring committee from the chamber reviewed nearly 30 resumes. The job was advertised in local newspapers, on the Jefferson County Chamber website and with a network of chambers around the nation. Committee members first winnowed candidates to about
a dozen using a matrix of skills the chamber board identified as important. Finalists were interviewed, the field was narrowed again and final interviews were conducted. “It was a very difficult decision,” said Past President Kris Nelson, who chaired the committee. “Our finalists all were well qualified. Any of them would have served us well.” The executive director is responsible for the chamber’s day-to-day operations and for the overall development and administration of member programs and services in accordance with the board’s strategic vision, by-laws, mission and
policies. Verraes becomes the chamber’s principal advocate and spokesperson, and manages chamber operations, including fiscally sound internal controls. Candidates were sought who had excellent skills in communication, problem-solving, community-building and budgeting. Verraes replaces Jennifer MacGillonie, a former chamber president who served as interim executive director on two occasions, and became permanent director in 2009. She resigned in December to move to California to be closer to family, and is now CEO of the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce in Ventura County. Last year, the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce became the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, merging with businesses from the Tri-Area and Port Ludlow.
New board retreats, adopts plan, sets priorities Morley
Feb. 28 – Michelle Sandoval Port Townsend’s Mayor will give an update on the state of the city and the 2011 council goals and work plans. Sandoval
A board of directors with almost half its number new members met Jan. 22 for the annual Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce retreat. On the agenda was adoption of a strategic plan that lays a foundation for chamber operations in 2011. On hand for the first time was new executive Director Teresa Verraes, who shared her hopes
and ambitions. In addition, President Kim Aldrich welcomed board members and explained a key theme for the chamber in 2011 will be “building on a solid foundation.” The chamber accomplished much last year, with merging Port Townsend, Port Hadlock and Port Ludlow chambers, adoption of a strategic plan and making the transition
to a new Executive Director. The challenge this year will be knitting all of that together to better and more effectively serve member businesses. Some goals laid out for the chamber this year include retooling the organization so its first priority is always serving its members, establishing a constant feedback loop so member concerns are shaping
chamber programs and seeking more community partnerships to enhance opportunities for chamber members. Other goals include rebranding the chamber to reflect its new reach and mission, establishing new committees, traveling new paths for generating revenue and raising the profile of the chamber as a community leader.