For the past two and a half years her blonde hair and bubbly
voice have characterized Hollister’s downtown business community.
In a few short weeks, Hollister Downtown Association Executive
Director Liz Sparling will say goodbye to the downtown community
and embrace her new position as director of the San Benito County
Chamber of Commerce.
Hollister – For the past two and a half years her blonde hair and bubbly voice have characterized Hollister’s downtown business community. In a few short weeks, Hollister Downtown Association Executive Director Liz Sparling will say goodbye to the downtown community and embrace her new position as director of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m the voice for downtown,” Sparling said. “Now I’m turning into the voice of the business community of the county. I’ll basically be doing the same thing on a grander scale.”
After about two and a half years with the HDA, Sparling applied for the chamber position after learning chamber director Teresa Kiernan left for a job with community development company DMB Associates – which is pursuing a large-scale development in northern San Benito County. While Sparling wasn’t looking for a new job, the vacant position seemed like a natural progression for her line of work, she said.
Because her duties as ambassador for downtown merchants brought her in close contact with Kiernan and chamber events, Sparling said the transition should be seamless.
“I’m really not nervous, just excited for a change and to get more involved in the community,” she said. “The best part about this job is working with the different merchants and walking around downtown. I’m still going to be able to do that – just with a broader spectrum of the whole county.”
Kiernan, who stood at the chamber’s helm for almost three years, was thrilled to hear Sparling had nabbed the job.
“Making the decision to leave any job leaves you with some concerns. I’ve had my goals to what I’d like to see happen with the chamber. I’d hate to see it not continue in the positive direction it’s been going,” she said. “She’ll continue to take it down that position path.”
Kiernan, whose new office will be located just across the street from the chamber office on San Benito Street, said she is willing to work with Sparling as much as possible until she gets completely comfortable in her new role, she said.
“Anything she needs help on, I will be right there,” she said. “I’m just a hop, skip and a jump across the street.”
While she made herself available to Sparling and chamber board members, she is confident her expertise won’t be needed too much because her successor is already versed in the in’s and out’s of the county’s business climate.
Chamber President Jack Hance said that while board members received about a dozen applications from qualified candidates, Sparling’s diligent work with the downtown beautification and revitalization project and her camaraderie with the downtown business community made her a perfect fit for the job.
Hance said board members were surprised when Kiernan tendered her resignation, but believes the new position is a great opportunity for her. Any anxiety board members felt with Kiernan’s departure was quickly abolished when Sparling’s resume landed on their desks, he said.
“Liz is well known and has done a terrific job with the revitalization and street project. The career transition is fantastic,” Hance said. “We are truly fortunate to have her take this lead position in the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce.”
After being notified that she was chosen for the job last week, Sparling gave the Hollister Downtown Association three week’s notice before she starts down her new career path April 11.
There has been no one chosen to take her position yet, but she’s confident a qualified candidate will step into her shoes just as she stepped into Kiernan’s, she said.
“I guess people will find out and we’ll see what happens from there,” she said.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
