Highland County Chamber of Commerce President Katy Farber resigns
The Highland County Press
Highland County Chamber of Commerce President Katy Farber has informed the board of her resignation, effective Sept. 28.
Farber has accepted a position with the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth.
In a Sept. 18 letter to the Chamber of Commerce board, Farber wrote:
It is with a grateful heart that I submit my letter of resignation as president, Highland County Chamber of Commerce, effective Friday, Sept. 28, 2012.
I have taken a position with the Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth (APEG), a nonprofit group that will work with JobsOhio to advance economic development and regional prosperity.
I am appreciative of the absolute support I have gotten from the board for the nearly seven years I've spent at the Chamber. Working together, with the partnership of our local business community, we have created a viable and relevant organization to represent Highland County businesses.
Thank you for all you have done to build our Chamber into the successful organization it is today. Please keep moving forward to be a strong voice for the Highland County business community.
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In addition to serving as Chamber president, Farber also has worked with the Highland County Board of Commissioners to further local economic development efforts.
"I hate to see Katy leave the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, especially considering how active and how visible she has made the Chamber and her strong representation of the business interests of our county," Highland County Commissioner Shane Wilkin said. "She has been an excellent partner to the commissioners' office in assistance with economic development on projects, such as PAS Technologies, for example.
"However, I understand that you have to take opportunities as they are presented, and I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors."
In 2010, Farber was honored with the Outstanding Full Commission Member Award from the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission.
That same year, the Highland County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Farber has served as Chamber president for almost seven years.
“I truly appreciate everything the members of the Highland County business community have done to make our chamber an active and relevant organization,” Farber said.
“My time at the Chamber has been nothing but good, and I value the many relationships with our local business, non-profit and public sector members. I look forward to continuing these relationships as I move into my new position at APEG.”
Farber, who joined the Chamber in January 2006, helped mold the Highland County Chamber of Commerce into the relevant and vibrant entity that it is today.
“The Chamber has made some significant accomplishments under Katy’s direction over the past seven years,” said Amanda Bledsoe, chair of the Board of Directors.
“Katy has implemented or expanded many of the Chamber’s key networking events and educational workshops. Our Shop Local campaigns, Coffee and Commerce, and the Enterprise Facilitation program have also been tremendously successful because of her leadership and passion for our local businesses.”
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has taken immediate steps to build a search committee that will focus on seeking out a qualified candidate to fill the position.