PRCoC thanks Kimball Shirey for dedicated service

By Monica Nolan Executive Director, Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce

After distinguished service, we offer a debt of gratitude to Past President Kimball Shirey, Heritage Insurance Agency, for strong and sustained leadership.

During the past 10+ years, Kimball served on the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce Board as director, vice president and 2014 president. In 2020, he returned to the board to share his leadership skills once again, stepping up as vice president and then president for 2021 and 2022.

His 2014 presidency marked a year of recovery for a Chamber in financial straits. Kimball’s steely focus on conservation and revenue meant that we finished the year in the black, and were poised for the growth we enjoy today. Many presidents like to leave their mark on an organization through a signature project. Kimball oversaw two bylaws revisions. While Kimball joked that this is sort of an underground achievement, our governing docs provide the foundation of all we are and all we do. As an insurance professional, Kimball ensured that our belt was supported with suspenders.

Kimball’s insurance expertise served the Chamber and its membership as we waded through the quagmire of the Fire Victims Trust. As an aside, we accepted pennies on the dollar of the original claim, as our chamber, despite two catastrophes, did not experience the losses originally projected—largely due to outstanding leadership.

Kimball also helped to elevate the Installation Dinner, and may be remembered for his dramatic and delicious production of tableside Bananas Foster for lucky bidders. Kimball was the driving force behind attracting superior talent to Party in the Park, and compensating them like the professionals they are.

Kimball showed up for countless chamber, community, government and industry meetings, ribbon cuttings, mixers, business walks, and events--sometimes with a flaming frying pan full of bananas-and always with sound leadership and humor.

Thank you Kimball, for your service to the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce and the Ridge community.