Published: May 20, 2009 01:51 pm      

Garrett Chamber CEO takes Pa. post

MCHENRY — After nearly seven years working with the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, Charlie Ross, president and CEO, is leaving for Pennsylvania.

“Of course (Garrett County is) my home, and I’ve cherished all the time that I’ve spent here,” Ross said. “It’s just, what is life without new challenges? I find this to be a different type of opportunity. That’s why I embrace it. I saw that my search for that challenge matched their desire to get somebody that was up to the task.”

On June 15, Ross will move on to the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, which covers Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.

Ross said he applied four months ago for the job based out of Shamokin Dam, Pa., but that nothing was certain until Monday that he would get the position.

Joyce Bishoff, chairwoman of the Garrett County Chamber Board of Directors, said that Ross had informed her that he was looking into the Susquehanna Valley position, but that the chamber didn’t begin looking for a replacement until they knew Ross had the job.

Trying to replace Ross will be difficult, Bishoff said, and while they didn’t want to wish him bad luck when he applied for the position, the chamber has hated the idea of seeing him go.

Since Ross joined the chamber as president and CEO in 2002, she said the membership has more than doubled and he has been very involved in community affairs.

“Those are some big shoes to fill,” Bishoff said.

Things might not be the same without Ross wearing his Dr. Seuss costume and reading to the children at the local schools or his buckskin for the living history program, she said.

Ross said that he will be able to attend this year’s Highland Festival, as it falls a week before he begins with Susquehanna Valley. He also said that his wife, Cherie, who works for Garrett County Community Action Committee, will not relocate with him immediately, but that she will make a slow transition.

He said that she as well as friends and acquaintances have been very supportive of the move.

“My thoughts are that the chamber is grateful for the time and effort Charlie has expended on our behalf,” Bishoff said. “We are proud of Charlie and know that he will approach his new position with the same enthusiasm and work ethic that he has given us. Our community will miss him.”

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.