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Highlands Today

EDC To Help Sebring Chamber With Cost Of Retreat Leader

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By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: November 16, 2008

SEBRING - The Highlands County Industrial Development Authority/Economic Development Commission board of directors agreed to fund a portion of the $2,500 for a facilitator for the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce's annual retreat.

Sarah Pallone, president/CEO of the chamber, attended the EDC board meeting Wednesday and made the request.

"It is an important year for the chamber," said Pallone, noting that seven new directors will be joining the chamber board.

Pallone said the chamber wants to have Thomas Schwieger lead the retreat that will focus on strategic planning. However, she said it can't afford the cost at this point.

During the discussion, board member John Shoop asked Pallone "Is the chamber going to survive?"

"Absolutely," Pallone replied.

EDC Executive Director Louise England said she favored helping the chamber and added the EDC has tried to be supportive of all the local chambers.

"If ever a time they need strategic planning it is now," she said.

The board voted to give the chamber $1,000 from EDC funds.

Schwieger, who lives in Vero Beach, has more than 36 years of chamber management experience, according to Pallone. His final position was president/CEO of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester, N.H., for nearly 18 years. He retired from that position in September 2000.

Schwieger presently works as an independent organization management consultant specializing in the facilitation of strategic planning, board development/training, organizational analysis and executive search management.

Pallone said she will also be asking Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative and the Florida Chamber of Commerce for support.

In other business, board member Wade Taveniere, who served as the chairman of the search committee to find a replacement for England, reported that he had contacted two of the three references Dan Murphy had provided. The board approved the committee's recommendation to hire Murphy as the new executive director during a special meeting earlier this month.

Taveniere said Jesus Martinez of the Florida Department of Transportation and Richard Gibbs of the Everglades Foundation both spoke "very highly" of Murphy. They said he is a "great people person," has a strong marketing background and has good experience working with the public and government agencies.

Murphy, who attended Wednesday's meeting, will start Dec. 1.

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