PEORIA, Ill. — The search is just getting started for a new President and CEO of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce and CEO Council.
Jeff Griffin announced his resignation on Dec. 9 after five years on the job, after accepting a similar position in Sioux Falls, S.D.
“With the Christmas holiday in there, and the new year, we’ve been [busy],” said CEO Council Chairwoman Cindy Loos.
“We have received some résumés from folks and we’ve kind of looked at those, but we are still really wanting to make sure we do this right.
“It’s a big role, looking at the regional collaboration efforts we want to happen.”
At the time of Griffin’s announcement, the Chamber and CEO Council said there’d be a transition plan.
Griffin’s resignation is scheduled to be effective Jan. 15.
“We are talking to some folks for options for an interim president. We’re looking at local leaders,” Loos said.
But, whoever that interim president is, don’t expect them to become the permanent president.
“We are being pretty diligent we find someone who’s not interested in the permanent job, just to not create confusion,” she added.
Loos said after the interim president is in place, the search committee will determine whether its early applicants look promising enough to keep the search local, or to hire an outside firm to assist.
“The big driver is regional collaboration. Someone who can gain the respect of not only the business community, but also the local politicans they will serve with,” she said.
“[We’re looking for] someone who can lead the advocacy efforts of the Chamber, but also on the CEO Council side of things, where we have specific projects to help move the region forward.”
