Chamber hires new director
By KALEY LYON
As of Sept. 8, Ericka Gillespie-Weintz will take over as executive director of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce.
A Quinter native, Gillespie-Weintz has spent the past six years pursuing economic development on a broad level but wanted to give back to the community.
"I wanted to be able to do something locally," she said. "I have been doing it on the state level for many years, and if I'm able to contribute more effectively on a local level, that's what I wanted to do."
A graduate of Kansas Wesleyan University, Gillespie-Weintz recognizes the chamber has been successful and hopes to continue the strategies that have proven effective and see the entity become more high-profile in the community, she said.
"I think this is a very exciting time for Hays," Gillespie-Weintz said.
"Hays is very economically diverse, so when maybe one area may struggle ... we can lean on other areas of economics to subsidize others. It's very exciting."
Gillespie-Weintz has been employed as chief operations officer with Craig HomeCare, working to expand and promote home-based care in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.
During this time, she became familiar with the legislative process and how the government influences business, she said.
Gillespie-Weintz also knows the importance of retaining employees and working to keep young people at home, she said.
"Having been from Quinter, that's something that strikes particularly close to home," she said.
When she graduated from Quinter High School, she had planned to leave western Kansas. After four years in Iowa, while her husband, Chuck, finished college, she couldn't wait to come home, Gillespie-Weintz said.
"It's amazing, the transformation that takes place as you grow into an adult," she said. "The values that I was brought up with are the ones I hope to instill in my daughter."
Gillespie-Weintz lives in Hays with her husband and their 6-year-old daughter, Hailen.
Her job required much traveling, and her family is excited she will have the opportunity to spend more time at home, she said.
She also is a member of the Kansas Home Care Association and is president of O'Loughlin's Parent Teacher Association.
Between now and Sept. 8, Gillespie-Weintz will complete what she refers to as an "acquaintance time." She is working alongside former director Gina Riedel and hopes to become acquainted with more people in the community, she said.
"This is my way of making a long-term commitment to Hays," she said. "I have been and continue to be committed to my daughter's school, my husband's committed to his employment, and this should further solidify our commitment to the community."
More than 30 applications were received for the position when Riedel resigned earlier this summer.
Deanna Doerfler, chairwoman of the chamber board of executive directors, said the hiring decision was not an easy one, but the board is confident Gillespie-Weintz is right for the job.
"Ericka has a lot of leadership skills; she has a very strong human resource background," Doerfler said. "We felt like it would be helpful to business members to have this insight in our community."
The board also believes her previous career experience will be an asset to the local business community, she said.
"We just felt she understood the dynamics and creativity this position holds," Doerfler said. "We're pretty excited about it."
I'm confused. What does that have to do with anything.....
(Posted by: blind)
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