After two-and-a-half years of advocating on behalf of the local
business community, Theresa Kiernan, executive director of the San
Benito County Chamber of Commerce is about to join it.
Hollister – After two-and-a-half years of advocating on behalf of the local business community, Theresa Kiernan, executive director of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce is about to join it.
Kiernan’s new employer is none other than DMB Inc., an Arizona company looking to build a new development in the county. She made the announcement early this week, after accepting the position from DMB last week, said Kiernan.
“I’ve grown to have a love and passion for the success of San Benito County, so I am thrilled that such an opportunity came to me which lends me chance to continue with that (kind of work),” she said.
Kiernan expects to start at the end of March and although her exact position hasn’t been named, it will revolve around community affairs and communications, said Ray Becker, Kiernan’s future boss. Her responsibilities will include attending community meetings held to hear concerns and suggestions about the development and be the conduit of information between DMB and county residents.
“Theresa has a wealth of local experience and a tremendous amount of personal charisma,” said Becker, a DMB representative. “It was a perfect fit for us.”
The departure creates an opening in the Chamber of Commerce, which the 11-member board will attempt to fill as soon as possible, said Kiernan, who will also be involved in selecting her successor. As executive director of the chamber, Kiernan was the top representative of the local business community, working as a spokesperson, manager and administrator to further their interests.
Mark Vivian, a member of the Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, said he was happy for Kiernan, although he would miss working with her.
“Her compassion for the chamber, the way she worked with the board of directors and delivered speeches … I have grown because of her.
Joe Klauer, vice president of the chamber board of directors, said he was sorry to see Kiernan go.
“It will be hard to fill her shoes,” he said.
Kiernan’s commitment to local businesses is what Dorothy McNett, owner of the Dorothy McNett’s Place will miss most, she said.
“She exuded an enthusiasm for local businesses and was really easy to work with,” said McNett. “It’s disappointing because she was so good.”
Before joining the chamber of Commerce in July 2003, Kiernan was in charge of the San Juan Bautista and county libraries’ literacy programs.
Kiernan’s position has not yet been advertised, although the selection process, which will be overseen by the board’s personnel committee, could happen very soon, she said.
“We are inviting anyone that ever dreamed of doing this kind of work to come forward and let us know,” said Kiernan.
Karina Ioffee covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach her at (831)637-5566 ext. 335 or ki*****@fr***********.com
