By DELANIA TRIGG, Register Staff Writer
The Gainesville Economic Development Corporation and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce are moving forward with plans for the annual chamber banquet, even as the entities begin the search for a replacement for John Broyles who was relieved of his duties as chamber director last Friday.
In a statement released Thursday — almost a week after Broyles was fired — GEDC Executive Director Kent Sharp confirmed that Broyles was “released from his duties as Gainesville (Area) Chamber of Commerce Director on Friday, January 29, 2010.”
He stated the GEDC provides staff support for the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce through a 2007 agreement constructed between the two entities.
Sharp said he continues to be in daily contact with the chamber board of directors and “will continue to do so.”
He also attempted to explain how the chamber and the GEDC work together.
“The agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and GEDC calls for the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to establish a program of work and annual goals to be carried out by the GEDC. In accordance with this agreement, the GEDC provides all necessary staff to fulfill this purpose,” Sharp said in a press release.
He also noted that the GEDC recently hired a full time staff member “to assume the duties of chamber representative.”
“We hired Ms. Britni Shaffer as the chamber representative effective February 1, 2010,” Sharp noted. “Previously, Britni had been employed on a contract basis to assist in daily activities since December of 2009. After interviewing several candidates for this position, we selected Britni and feel she is an excellent addition to our team.”
The search for a new Chamber Director will begin immediately, Sharp stated in the press release.
He said he believes the new director will be hired within a few months.
Sharp also acknowledged his desire to keep the public informed “as quickly as possible.”
“We will continue with the chamber newsletter, as well as other activities and we will try to make this transition as seamless as possible for the Chamber Membership. I know there have been a few disruptions this last week and I assume full responsibility for those. I would also like to apologize publicly to those individuals affected. However, I am completely confident in our staff and I also know we have the support of the Chamber of Commerce, GEDC and City of Gainesville behind us,” he wrote.
Tim Fogle, chairman of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors said the board will help with the search for a new director.
“The board will work closely with the GEDC to begin the search for a new Chamber Director, in order to ensure a continuation of our membership building efforts and to strengthen the chamber’s direct benefit to the local business community,” he stated in the press release.
Neither Kent Sharp nor Tim Fogle were available for comment by press time.
