When Larry Ishmael envisions a new Issaquah Chamber of Commerce CEO, he doesn’t see someone with leadership potential that the chamber can develop; instead, he sees someone experienced and skilled who will develop the chamber and take it to the next level.
“It’s such a unique position, where you run small businesses, but also deal with the top echelon of the community, the city and state officials, CEOs of the top companies in the area … ” said Ishamel, chairman of the board for the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. “We want to make sure we find a well-seasoned person that can really turn us into a dynamic chamber and take us to that level.”
The chamber CEO position was left vacant in August when Sheri Carter resigned.
Ishmael said while chamber members are not holding themselves to a strict timeline, they hope to have a CEO in place by the beginning of the new year. And even though that hopeful deadline is drawing near, he said the search is still on target. But what’s more important to the chamber is finding someone who is the right fit.
“We haven’t limited ourselves in having to make an immediate decision,” said Chair-elect Bob Ittes. “We allow time for each candidate to be fully vetted in the interview process.”
Candidates go through several levels of screening and a rigorous interview process. A two-person committee sorts through paper applications to determine who should come in for a screening meeting; those successful in the screening move on to an interview with the executive committee of the board, and to one with chamber employees. After, board members meet to discuss the possible candidates, and any who are still being considered will have a meeting with Ishmael.
Ishmael praised the democratic nature of the selection, and the involvement of all chamber members in the search.
The board held its first set of interviews Friday, Nov. 14, but emphasizes that interested people should still apply.
“There’s no application deadline,” he said. “The minute that we find the right person, that’s when we’ll stop accepting applications. Until that time, (anyone who is interested) should apply if they feel they meet the qualifications.”
The Issaquah Chamber of Commerce posted a detailed job description on its Web site, and lists the CEO’s statement of duties as: creating a strong local economy, promoting the community, providing networking opportunities, and representing business to government. Desired leadership qualities are also listed, including team building, seeking out and working with diversity, pushing the organization to the next level, and maintaining an environment supportive of change, among other things.
“It’s imperative that we find a qualified candidate,” Ittes said. “The Chamber of Commerce will sit down and really assess who that is… this person will have to represent our mission and be the voice of business.”
Interviews with the board continue today, Friday, Nov. 21.
While some organizations may flounder during periods without leadership, board members said that isn’t the case with the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. The capability and enthusiasm of chamber employees is consistently praised by the board.
“It’s been wonderful,” Ishmael said. “I’ve stepped up in a minor way to oversee the chamber, but … everyone has really stepped up, I couldn’t be happier. I’m very pleased and proud of the employees.”
Ittes echoed that sentiment, and said the current success of the chamber is a tribute to systems set up by former CEO Carter, who held the position for approximately two years.
As the search continues, the board is enthusiastic about finding a new leader.
“I think the whole process is exciting, and just a neat opportunity for all involved to meet some quality individuals,” Ittes said. “I think that every individual brings some very strong attributes to the interviews, and it’s exciting to see where that might take us.”
For more information about the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce CEO position, go to www.issaquahchamber.com.
