Sharon Scott, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, has announced she will be leaving her dual posts in 2021.
“Scott has been with the chamber since 2011, first as a volunteer, then as the Special Initiatives Coordinator, and she served as Interim Executive Director when Catherine Sutton left in 2013,” according to Henry Bass, 2021 Chamber Board Chair. “Scott was hired in December of 2013 as Executive Director following a national search, and most recently was promoted to President and CEO.”
Scott initially shared with the board at the 2019 planning retreat her plans to leave the chamber. Those plans were solidified last October during the 2020 planning retreat.
Asked about her tenure with the chamber, Scott said, “I have joked since 2014 that I love this job 98% of the time, but the reality is that is true. This has been the most rewarding job I have ever held because I serve our business community. I vividly remember in my interview being asked what the biggest challenge I see in this position is. I remember saying the budget; we were still carrying $75,000 in loan debt. I was also asked how long I would stay if I was hired, and my response was six to 10 years.
“Leaving now will be the eight-year mark for me,” Scott said. “I am certain this is not a surprise to the business community that I am leaving, the worst-kept secret. We hinted at the 2021 Annual Manual in my message. We have adjusted some work structurally to support the sustainability of programming.
“I had three goals to achieve during my tenure: pay off the debt, find a home for the chamber, and create a dues structure that reflects the value of this chamber. When I leave, I will have achieved these goals”.
Aaron Harris-Kirby, the chambers’ immediate past chair, said, “I know I appreciate her willingness to stay through 2021 to have the continuity through the pandemic.”
Asked what she would miss most about the job, Scott said, “I will miss the members. We have some of the best members and board members in the world of chambers of commerce. Over the last ten years working with this chamber and the last eight, serving as the manager and administrator, I have gotten to know so many of our members on a professional and personal level.
“Originally, I had planned to leave in 2020, but I could not do that to our members, board, or a new leader; we still had so much pandemic navigation before us. But I am not going anywhere; my husband and I love this community.”
Bass said, “The chamber will be seeking applications for the position immediately, and Scott, who is not involved with the selection process, has agreed to assist with onboarding the new president and CEO.”
Mark Woolwine, 2021 Vice-Chair of the chamber board and a board member since 2019, said, “The new leader will still have lots of exciting work to do given our strategic direction. We have a great staff who have been given leadership development opportunities to support the needs of our membership. This is a great opportunity for our chamber of commerce and business community.”
