George E. French III will serve as interim president and chief executive officer of the Minden-South Webster Chamber of Commerce as the board continues to search for a permanent executive.
Jeff Lee, chairman of the board of directors, made the announcement this week.
The position is opening up after current president and CEO Jerri de Pingre’ announced her resignation in July and effective Friday.
A former chairman of the chamber board, French retired from Minden Medical Center in May, but has remained active in Minden.
“To attract a person with George’s experience of community relations and chamber engagement, is a huge accomplishment for the chamber,” Lee said. “He lends immediate credibility and will allow us to continue our upcoming events without delay, while maintaining and building our relationships with chamber members and community businesses. We are more than confident of his ability to oversee operations of the organization during this transition.”
“I was definitely honored by this request from our chamber chairman,” French said. “Jerri de Pingre’ is a talented and experienced chamber executive. It will be both a challenge and privilege to continue the chamber initiatives that she and the board of directors have been working on this year. However, with the active involvement of the chamber board members, I look forward to assisting them as best I can until our new CEO/president is hired.”
The Minden South Webster Chamber supports over 280 businesses, governmental entities and individuals in the region with economic development, advocacy, leadership and organization, with the stated mission “To assist and encourage the advancement of the commercial, industrial, civic and general interests of the City of Minden and Webster Parish.”
The board will form a committee to begin the search for a permanent CEO. For more information on the position or to apply, please send resumes to info@mindenchamber.com.