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Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lezley Brown announced her resignation from the position Thursday after five years at the Chamber. File photo
Chamber seeking new president
After five years of service, president and CEO of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Lezley Brown announced Thursday she will be stepping down in mid-April.
“These five years have been some of my favorite in all of my career. I have met amazing people and learned more than I ever imagined I would,” she said in a press release. “I want very much to be helpful in this transition.”
In her time at the chamber, Brown oversaw the relocation of the offices to its current Main Street building.
““We worked really diligently to get ourselves in a position that we could sell our building, purchase this building and remodel it a little bit,” Brown said in a September interview. “We love being downtown on the square, and it’s been a wonderful move for us.”
The chamber under Brown also implemented the business incubator Grow-n-Go which provides support to budding Hopkins County businesses.
“Little bitty businesses that maybe have outgrown their home but are not ready to go off and get a building yet can come and rent out a space from us,” Brown said in September. “It’s super-low rent and includes all of their electricity, water, internet and everything they need.”
The Hopkins County Stew Contest saw its 50th contest under Brown, drawing in a larger-than-usual crowd for the annual event.
In the press release, Brown said she walked into the position “wide-eyed and excited,” and that attitude carried her through the hardest days at the chamber.
“You [the board of directors] need to look for someone with that excitement,” Brown said. “I can’t wait to see who you will choose next to carry out the big dreams of our wonderful Chamber, and I can’t wait to see the big things that are destined to happen in our community.”
Chairman of chamber’s board of directors Rusty Posey thanked Brown for her work.
“Her infectious personality and visionary leadership have taken the Chamber to new heights.,” Posey said. “We are grateful for these five years and believe we are poised and ready for continued success.”
The chamber is currently taking applicants for the position. A job description and list of qualifications can be found on the chamber’s Facebook page and website, and all application packets must be received at the chamber by noon Friday, Feb. 12. Packets can be emailed to info@hopkinschamber.org or mailed to 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs.