Imagine an out-of-town businessman coming to the San Benito
County Chamber of Commerce office a year ago with an idea of
possible relocation.
Imagine an out-of-town businessman coming to the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce office a year ago with an idea of possible relocation.
He stops at 615 San Benito St. to talk to the executive secretary and her assistant, finds them affable as well as knowledgeable and goes away with a handful of literature about local agencies and events, and a good impression.
Then imagine his puzzlement when he stops by early this month to further discuss relocation. The office is no longer there. He inquires and learns that it has been located across the street at 650 San Benito St. since last September.
He goes over and looks for one of the two women he had spoken with 12 months earlier. He learns that neither works for the Chamber anymore, and that a third woman has joined the staff.
“I’m sure it would be confusing,” said Theresa Kiernan, who succeeded Carole Appling as executive director of the Chamber July 8, 2002 after Appling had resigned to care for her aging parents.
A month after Kiernan came aboard, Sharlene Van Rooy joined the staff as publications chairman, then, in September, the office was relocated across the street. The only staff member left from the previous one was Lynda Pettibone-Smith.
“Lynda was a great worker and already knew so many people of the community,” Kiernan said. “She made the transition easier for me than it might have been.”
Recently, Pettibone-Smith decided that she was going to leave after nearly two years of service to have more time with her family. More than 20 persons applied for her job. Of them, Debra Cable was ultimately selected and began her duties June 11.
“I know that Debra is going to add a lot, and the office staff is going to carry on serving the needs of the Chamber board and the community in the way that others have,” Kiernan said.
Each of the three brings other knowledge and connections to the job. Before becoming the executive director, Kiernan was in charge of the San Juan Bautista and county libraries’ literacy programs. Van Rooy is a long-time member of the county Historical Society and Cable is a volunteer at Pinnacles National Monument.
“Debra works from 9 to 1 daily,” Kiernan said, “and Sharlene comes in at 1 and works the rest of the day. I’m here all day.”
They are in frequent touch with this year’s Chamber president, Katherine Vais, and other members of the board.
“Our function is to serve the community, its residents and the Chamber members,” Kiernan said, “and we’re all dedicated to doing our very best to achieve that.”
