Chamber Board Hopes to Soon Announce New CEO

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce search committee is close to finding a new Chief Executive Officer, according to the board member and designated spokesperson for the group, Anderson Attorney John Raffini.

In May, the Chamber’s executive committee received information suggesting that the Chamber’s nonprofit status may have been revoked because certain required filings had not been submitted to the IRS. In August, the board began the process of hiring an outside firm to perform an audit with attorneys experienced non-profit sector auditors to fully understand the situation and to prioritize the reinstatement of the Chamber’s nonprofit status.

This process is still going on, according to Raffini. Chief Executive Officer Pamela Christopher about this issue and made an initial report to the full board of directors. In September the Chamber accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Pamela Christopher. Several leaders questioned the organization’s structure that had omitted any oversight by a finance committee, accountant or other Chamber guardrails to ensure all paperwork was filed and current.

A finance committee was finally established in late summer in hopes of helping sort out what still needs to be done to restore the group’s non-profit status and monitor such record-keeping to avoid a repeat of the current situation.

The Chamber’s search committee has completed its initial search, and Rafinni said their goal is to soon announce their choice for the top leadership position.

“Our top priority is to find a new leader who serves our members well and understands the unique needs of the Anderson area,” said Raffini, who added that the option of an interim leader was also “on the table.”

Currently the chamber staff members still in place are running the day-to-day chamber operations.

“We’re meeting all the needs of our members,” said Raffini.

The 16-member board has not changed. This story is developing.