Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center Announces Expansion of Leadership Team

Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center Announces Expansion of Leadership Team
Former Patch regional editor Jim Welte takes part-time position as Director of Membership and Community Engagement 

Mill Valley, CA (December 12, 2013) -- The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has announced a restructuring and expansion of its Leadership Team for 2014 with the goal of broadening the portfolio of benefits and services to its members and the community. As part of the restructuring, the position of Executive Director will be eliminated. For 2013, the full time Executive Director position was held by Daniel Escalzo who helped grow the Chamber’s membership and successfully produced its two largest annual events, the Mill Valley Wine & Gourmet Food Festival, and Winterfest.

“Daniel Escalzo has been a great asset to the Chamber and his work with the annual Wine and Gourmet Festival, as well as re-invigorating Winterfest, has really enhanced the life of the community,” said Doug Canepa, Chamber Board Member and co-owner of Mill Valley Market, which has partnered with the Chamber on the Wine and Gourmet Festival for 32 years. 

Beginning January 2, 2014, Jim Welte, the former regional editor of Patch, will join the Chamber as Director of Membership and Community Engagement on a part time basis. A part time Chamber and Visitor Center Coordinator will handle day-to-day chamber operations, and additional expertise will be contracted for administrative duties, marketing, and events.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jim Welte to our Chamber team and back to Mill Valley, where he successfully launched and built the Mill Valley Patch, said Paula Reynolds, Chamber board chairperson.” He enjoys deep and respectful relationships with businesses, the City and our community partners. Jim’s communication skills and content development expertise will greatly enhance our ability to give visibility to Mill Valley businesses.”
 
“After years of spending most of my waking hours in Mill Valley covering this great town, we’ve made our home here and I’m delighted to dive deeply into the local business community,” said Jim Welte. “I can’t wait to begin reaching out to current and prospective members and continuing the Chamber’s great work of infusing our local economy with energy and excitement.”

The Board itself will continue to expand its central role in advocating for local business interests with the City and County while a part time Chamber and Visitor Center Coordinator will handle day-to-day chamber operations, leveraged by a growing network of volunteers and committees.

“We want to provide truly valuable services that members are willing to pay for and which enhance their influence and reach,” said Reynolds. “We believe the most sustainable way to do this in a small, mission-driven organization like the Mill Valley Chamber, is to tap the amazing expertise in this special community of ours, on a part time basis, for big time results.”
  

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