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Chamber of Commerce CEO announces retirement 

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Mike Gibson retiring

Mike Gibson resigns

Mike Gibson

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Mike Gibson announced his retirement last week to his board of directors. He plans to retire at the beginning of October. Gibson has led the chamber of commerce for the past 9 years.

In an interview Saturday, Gibson, 66, said he is looking forward to retirement. “We are going to spend the first six months in a little resort village on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California and then travel Europe.” His wife Jeannie Gibson closed her home furnishings store Gibson & Company and retired a few years ago.

Gibson expressed gratitude to his staff and said the chamber is in good hands. He plans to spend the next month helping the board of directors find a new president and CEO. He said a call for candidates would go out in the next week.

Highlights of Gibson’s tenure

Gibson highlighted several projects he is most proud of during his tenure as chamber president.

  • North County Business Resource Center
  • Women In Business committee
  • Recognition committee that selects the Roblan of the month candidates
  • Agribusiness committee
  • Chamber newsletter, which is distributed to over 11,000 households

 

“The outreach to the community with the North County Business Resource Center has enhanced the development of our business mentoring,” he said.

In a resignation letter to the board Gibson wrote: “It is with mixed emotions that I send this letter of resignation. I have decided to retire from my position as CEO/President of the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce.”

“I have truly enjoyed my service to the Board and membership, and have appreciated all the guidance and leadership you and the rest of the Board gave me over the last 9 years.”

“I believe the Chamber is in good hands with the current staff, and I will spend the next 30 days primarily in fundraising, soliciting a new CEO, and completion of our current projects.”

The chamber of commerce supports Paso Robles business members with monthly mixers, women in business luncheons, an annual gala celebration, city visitors guide, business directory and business resources. In addition to Gibson, the chamber has five employees including, Karen Cronauer, vice-president of operations, Karyl Lammers, executive assistant, Julie Matthews, membership and sales manager, Marina Huston, events and marketing manager and Amy Farris, events and marketing assistant.

The current board of directors include Chairwoman Debbie Belmore of Heritage Oaks Bank, Henry Elisarraraz of State Farm Insurance, Autumn Clark of IQMS, Michael Bankston of Le Vigne Winery, Bill Roof of Hampton Inn and Suites, Pamela Sharp of Sharp’s Hill Vineyards, Autumn Clark of Rabobank, Stephanie Sawyer of PRP Companies, Jeff Bower of Tek Tegrity, Jeremy Burke of News Media Corp., Greg Chilina of Mission Community Bank, Robert Covarrubias of CoastHills Federal Credit Union, Mark Kenyon, Mark Lisa of Twin Cities Community Hospital, Sunni Mullinax of Adelaida Cellars and Gary Rubin of Cuesta College.

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About the author: Publisher Scott Brennan

Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog.