Mill Valley Chamber Says Good-Bye to Executive Director, Welcomes Former Patch Editor Jim Welte

The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announced its restructuring and expansion for 2014 in a Patch blog post, explaining the elimination of their Executive Director position, adding a part-time position of Director of Membership and Community Engagement, that will be assumed by former Mill Valley Patch editor Jim Welte.

Read their full post here.

Executive Director Daniel Escalzo was appreciate for his efforts in helping the growth of Chamber membership and the successful production of its two largest annual events, the Mill Valley Wine & Gourmet Food Festival, and Winterfest.

In a farewell email, Escalzo wrote the following:

Dear Chamber Members and Friends,
 
The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce will be restructuring its Leadership Team as of Jan. 1, 2014 and consequently, my position as Executive Director will be eliminated as of Dec. 31st, 2013. 
 
I would like to thank the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve in this leadership capacity. I also want to thank all Chamber Members, The City of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley Community for all their support. 
 
It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as Executive Director of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce for the past 18 months. I accepted this position at a very delicate time for the Chamber back in July of 2012 when there was no Executive Director. I am glad to report that I leave the Chamber in the best state it has been in years. 
 
Membership has swelled to the highest level in recent years, cash reserves are at record levels, a 2013 budget surplus is anticipated and I have forged important and valuable relationships and partnerships with many Chamber Members, organizations and the City of Mill Valley. Chamber events like the Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting, Winterfest and Chamber Mixers were the most successful, profitable and professional to date. The reputation of Mill Valley Chamber is at a higher level than when I started.
 
The position of Executive Director has been tremendously rewarding but filled with much responsibility, pressure and complex issues that required diplomacy, tact, negotiations and a sense of humor.
 
I have executed all my duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Chamber of Commerce Bylaws and I have endeavored the Chamber Board of Directors and its committees to do the same.  

I wish all the best to the new part-time Leadership Team and volunteers in their efforts to continue building on the recent successes of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Good Executive Directors don't' just fade away, they move on to become leaders of other great organizations.

As a long-time resident of Mill Valley, I remain a faithful servant to the entire Mill Valley Community.

All the best, 
Daniel Escalzo
Executive Director