The slate of candidates for the Pagosa Springs Area Chamber Board of Directors for 2024 has been announced.
Six candidates have agreed to run for the position of Chamber Board of Director and will complete a three-year term. Of the six candidates, three will be elected by the Chamber membership. The candidates are Billy Cotts – owner of ReSport/Stitches and Dimples; Kirsten Derr, doctor of optometry with Mountain Eye Care; Ricardo Martinez, clinic manager with Axis Integrated Health System; Annie Sewell, owner of Right Molecule IV Hydration Lounge; Loren Talley, owner of Big Mountain Realty; and Davilyn Valdez, co-owner of Last Resort on the River. The voting has opened up to the Chamber membership businesses and will be open to voting until Friday, January 19, 2024. Each Chamber member business will be allowed one ballot. That ballot consists of voting for up to three of the six candidates. Should more candidates be selected on the ballot than allowed, the ballot will be invalidated. Should a business cast more than one ballot, the 2nd ballot will be invalidated.
The range of experience and business type associated with this year’s slate of candidates is varied. The Chamber organization feels it is important to have a range of businesses represented on the Board of Directors which is made up of 9 directors. Each year, 3 board members rotate off the board and three members join the board and then serve for a 3-year term. While not all business sectors are represented each year, the various industries are well-represented and include lodging, service, non-profit, retail, financial, real estate, and food service. It is important that when voting for a candidate, it is not only that you know the person, but what they represent in their experience or business sector. Many candidates have a variety of business experiences, making their business contribution to the Chamber Board very important. These members help be the voice of the business community and a liaison to the Chamber staff.
To vote for in this year’s Chamber Board Election, visit the Chamber’s website at www.pagosachamber.com
Please take time to read the interesting bios on all the candidates. Complete the voting form and remember, only one ballot per membership business and vote for up to three individuals. If you have several businesses that are registered Chamber members, each business has one ballot. It is important that as a Chamber member, you participate in this voting process. These people help represent the business community.
Should you have any questions about the process, please contact the Chamber at (970) 264-2360.
Mary Jo Coulehan is Executive Director of the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, and also serves on a number of local and state boards.