Along with closing out the ‘old year’ and welcoming 2023, part of that process is installing three new board of directors to the Chamber’s board of directors, for 3-year terms. Representing a variety of business interests, the Chamber board seeks nominees from various business sectors to give the board a broad representation of the business community. Every year, three board members term out and three new board members come on the board for a three-year term making up a 9-member team.
Voting opened on December 27 and will remain open until Wednesday, January 18. Chamber member businesses are encouraged to vote online, although voting can also take place in person at the Chamber of Commerce. Member businesses are allowed one ballot per business with each ballot allowing the business to vote for up to three of the nominees. Should a business cast more than one ballot or vote for more than three candidates, their vote will be disqualified.
We encourage all Chamber member businesses to vote, as each vote counts.
Here are the candidates in alphabetical order:
Jennifer Bowden, with The Cabins at Harland Ranch. While the business has been a Chamber member for over 20 years, Jennifer began management of the lodging facility in 2016 under their new ownership. She also was an inaugural member of the Young Professionals of Pagosa Springs during the time it was active. She represents the lodging sector.
Lauren Crawford, co-owner of Pagosa Massage and Bodyworks, has been a Chamber member for just 2 years, but has been a member through some of the most trying times in business history – COVID – opening their doors the week before COVID shut almost everything down. Raised and educated here in Pagosa Springs, leaving and gaining outside experience, Lauren returns to represent the service industry.
Blue Pitcher-Lindner, co-managing owner of Jann C. Pitcher Real Estate is another “home-grown” Pagosa resident. As with Lauren, Blue left for a time but has returned to Pagosa to raise her family and to lead a successful business and be involved in various aspects of the community.
Dale Scrivener, Executive Director of Curtains Up Pagosa ran for the board in 2022 and has been serving on the chamber board for one year, filling a board vacancy. He has chosen to run again for a three-year term representing the arts and non-profit business sectors.
Pat Tacket is another long-term resident of Pagosa Springs and represents the financial business sector including working for Citizens Bank for 21 years. She also has retail experience, assisting her mother who owns a retail store here in Pagosa.
Robin Young, Archuleta County/Colorado State University (CSU) Extension Agent. Hugely involved in many aspects of the community, Robin is looking to build our community’s future through her work with youth and the various non-profit entities focused on the health and sustainability of our county. She also represents Archuleta County on a number of state-wide organizations.
You can learn more about the candidates through the Chamber website.
All of these nominees are worthy of the appointment to the board; however, only three can be selected at this time. Please take time to cast your ballot for some of these individuals after giving them serious consideration.
Should you have any questions as a Chamber member business, please contact Mary Jo at the Chamber, 970-264-2368.
Nominate for the Community Award Categories
Nominations are also open for the annual Community Awards. The categories are Citizen, Volunteer, Non-Profit and Small Business of the Year. It is not uncommon for a business or non-profit organization to self-nominate for this award, as who knows your organization better than you do! Nomination forms may be obtained from the Chamber website.
Please be as specific as you can in nominating a person, persons, business or organization. Your information gives the judging committee more information from which to make their decisions. Should you need extra room to describe the accomplishments, don’t hesitate to attach additional pages! The nominees and award winners will be announced at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Celebration on February 8, 2023. The event will be held at the PLPOA Clubhouse from 4-7pm.
Tickets will be available after the first of the year. Take this time to honor those heroes who give so much back to the workings of our community.