The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce board has announced that the organization’s executive director, Teresa Verraes, plans to step down from her leadership post in 2018 to pursue a new career opportunity.

“I can’t say we are completely surprised by this news,” wrote Robert Birman, Chamber of Commerce board president and Centrum executive director, in a press release.

“This is a bittersweet moment for me,” Verraes said. “I love the Chamber of Commerce and what we stand for, and I love this community. Leading the Chamber has been the greatest professional experience of my life. I continue to believe so strongly in our mission to stimulate a vibrant economy by promoting, informing, connecting, and advocating for local business.”

The board has initiated a formal search for Verraes’ replacement and is working with an independent search firm to manage that process. Details regarding the application process are to be posted on the chamber's website at jeffcountychamber.com.

“The Chamber’s members are my inspiration,” Verraes said. “We have a strong staff and ambassadors network, a young professional association and volunteers. I feel good about our position. I believe it is the right time for me to spread my wings, take new risks and challenge myself in new ways.”

“Teresa has been courted by many organizations over the past few years for good reason – she’s a highly capable leader with great energy and superior interpersonal skills,” Birman said. “The board knew this possibility was never a question of if but when. I am sorry that the time has come now, but the board and I are happy for Teresa and we wish her nothing but continued success. We feel well positioned to continue to grow the Chamber in 2018.”

Verraes joined the Chamber of Commerce as its leader in 2011 at a time when the organization was facing significant hurdles, including a fractionalized membership base and no operating cash reserves in the aftermath of a complex merger process among disparate local chambers of commerce in the region.

“We are all impressed by the accomplishments that Teresa has accrued during her tenure with the Chamber,” continued Birman. “She’s managed to grow a healthy cash reserve while waging significant change and growth in the areas of membership, outreach and community relations.”

Birman and the board credit the chamber executive for her willingness to weigh risks in order to grow.

Birman listed the top accomplishments under Verraes’ tenure as the following:

• Steady growth in membership to more than 400 diverse businesses.

• Co-creation of the Jefferson County Business Resource Center, a central resource for business relocation, training and startups.

• The launch of the Young Professionals Network.

• Increasing Jefferson County’s ability to attract and sustain the residency of young people and “the next generation of leaders.”

• Creation of the Lean Thinking workshop series, an ongoing effort to “include change as an organizing framework for local community transformation,” in which more than 124 people and 30 organizations and businesses have participated.

• The elimination of all debt and establishment of a cash reserve fund.

• Relocation of the Visitor Information Center and organization of “a vibrant volunteer program” that now engages 45 active volunteers.

Birman asserted that, on Verraes’ watch, the Jefferson County Chamber has become recognized as “one of the most vibrant chambers” in Washington state.

Verraes told the board that she is in discussions to help lead a local startup organization in Port Townsend.

“It is too soon to disclose those details, but I wanted to give our board ample time to identify my successor and plan some training time for this transition,” she said. “It’s the right time.”