PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer Wells MacGillonie will step down at the end of the year, she announced Tuesday.
“My son left for college, and I have some opportunities I’d like to pursue,” she said, adding that the reasons for resigning were personal.
“This is the right time for me to explore new things.”
MacGillonie plans to move to California after the first of the year, according to a statement from the chamber.
She said she had not decided if she would sell her Port Townsend house.
She has lived in Port Townsend for 10 years, during that time owning and operating several businesses, including the English Inn and the Dockside Cleaners.
She served on the chamber board for six years before taking over as the executive director after Rod Davis’ departure in March 2009 after he had served for only five months.
She also acted as interim director prior to Davis’ tenure, as well as after Tim Caldwell’s resignation in June 2008.
Caldwell resigned after 16 years in the director’s post to take a Port Townsend office manager position with Puget Sound Energy.
Chamber expansion
“Jennifer has been instrumental in the expansion of the chamber into Jefferson County over this past year,” said Kris Nelson, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce president.
“Her leadership and expertise helped us grow from the Port Townsend Chamber to the Jefferson County Chamber, and her skills will be sorely missed.”
Caldwell said that MacGillonie provided essential support in the creation of the new chamber, which merged the Port Townsend, Port Ludlow and Tri-Area Chambers, beginning in January.
“This is a great loss for us,” Caldwell said.
“She was an asset to the local business community and was committed to the chamber.”
“Jennifer has done a great job leading us through tumultuous times,” said Fair Winds Winery owner Mike Cavett, past president of the chamber.
“We have been pleased with her leadership.”
A search committee — consisting of Nelson, who also is the Sirens Pub owner; board member Fred Obee, general manager of The Leader, weekly newspaper; and Cavett — has met to write a job description, which it plans to run in local newspapers and on websites.
MacGillonie said she expected the salary range to be between $45,000 and $55,000 per year.
The job requires the management of fiscal operations, chamber communications, visitor center operations and annual applications for the acquisition of tourism-related funds for the 400-member chamber, among other duties.
Aside from a bachelor’s in a relevant field of study, experience is required with a chamber of commerce or other nonprofit organization, marketing and public relations campaigns and running a small business.
Dec. 10 deadline
The application deadline is Dec. 10. The board hopes to have a new director in place by the first of the year.
MacGillonie said she will remain for the orientation of the new executive director.
She said she has been considering the move for several months and described the decision as “difficult.”
“I love this job, and I love this community,” she said.
“I will miss Port Townsend.”
To apply for the position or for more information, mail the search committee of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce at 440 12th St., Port Townsend, WA 98368 or e-mail info@jeffcountychamber.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
