The Homer Chamber of Commerce's executive director, Derotha Ferraro,announced her resignation last week. Chamber board president Donna Bondiolisaid Ferraro has accepted a position as marketing coordinator and grantwriter at South Peninsula Hospital. Ferraro's last day at the chamber isSept. 23. She starts work at the hospital Sept. 25."We're very excited to have Derotha Ferraro come to work with us," said SPHInc. chief executive officer Charlie Franz. "We think she's going to be atremendous asset."
Bondioli said the board meets this week to come up with a transition planwhile it searches for a new executive director. Ferraro and her family takea planned vacation next week, and when she comes back, she will guide thechamber through the end of the tourist season and the chamber's halibutderby.
Ferraro came to Alaska in the summer of 1993, when she worked as a volunteerwith Kachemak Bay State Park. She met her husband, Gary Harris, while alsoworking part-time as a waitress at Don Jose's Restaurant that summer. In thespring of 1994 Ferraro started working with the chamber as coordinator ofthe Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. She became interim director in May 1995and was appointed director in August 1995.
Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Ferraro graduated with a bachelorof arts in communications from Bethany College, Bethany, Pa. Before movingto Alaska she worked in advertising and promotion at the Washington Post andat the National 4-H Council in Washington, D.C.
Bondioli praised Ferraro's accomplishments as chamber director."She's contributed tremendously to the growth and success of our chamber,leaving it in a strong, sustainable position," Bondioli said. "We arethrilled to have her skills and commitment now be dedicated to SouthPeninsula Hospital."
During Ferraro's directorship, chamber membership grew from 270 to 584, thechamber moved from a double-wide trailer to a permanent office and visitorcenter and the chamber was named "Outstanding Chamber of the Year" for twoyears.
Ferraro said she's proud of the strong volunteer support at the chamber bothin running the chamber and serving on committees.
"It's a piece of our success," she said. "It's impressive to see that levelof team work happen amongst a group of adults who are competitors."
Ferraro learned about the hospital job while working with the chamber'sEconomic Development Committee with the medical services subcommittee. SPHInc. board member Barbara Howard was on the subcommittee and mentioned aposition for a marketing director and grant writer had been approved.Ferraro said she became interested in medical services in Homer after thebirth of her child, Delilah, two years ago. Hearing about the marketingdirector position got her thinking, she said.
"I looked at the job and thought, This can be another way to serve mytown,'" Ferraro said. "Finding another similar job It was pretty neat tohave one, boom, fall right into my lap."
Bondioli said the chamber's mission is to improve quality of life in Homer.Ferraro's new job is another way of her to work on that mission, she said."In many way's she continuing the work she's done with the chamber,"Bondioli said. "We will miss her. It's a great opportunity for her," sheadded.
Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com
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