Sue Attrill is resigning her position as chief executive officer with the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce, effective July 22.

After four-and-a-half years in the job, it's time for a change, Attrill said.

"I've had a wonderful time with the Chamber, growing it, turning it around, making it the place to be," she said. "But it's time for a new challenge."

On Aug. 3, Attrill will be taking on her new role as sales manager for the new Coast Hotel opening in Chilliwack in August.

When Attrill started with the Chamber in 2005, membership was waning, as was the community's interest in the non-profit organization that has long lobbied in support of independent businesses in the community. Attrill wanted to change that.

In four years, the Chamber's membership has doubled, now sitting at nearly 600 members from within the business community. The Chamber's networking events have also grown with a variety of different business professionals regularly attending. And its annual Business Excellence Awards now attract hundreds of community members to the celebration with the Chamber doling out 20 awards to Chilliwack's most outstanding businesses.

"We've put value into everything we do," said Attrill. "We are such a strong Chamber and a huge presence in Chilliwack now – I'm really proud of that."

Although Attrill didn't believe working for the Chamber would be a conflict of interest when she was elected city counsellor last fall, it did play a part in her decision to resign.

During recent Bingo discussions at council meetings, Attrill removed herself from the table.

"So many of our [Chamber] members were either for or against [the proposed new Bingo]," said Attrill. "I didn't want anyone to think that I was being swayed by pressures from our members."

By resigning from the Chamber, "I am removing any possibility of conflict," said Attrill.

The Chamber of Commerce board of directors is now searching for an executive director to lead the Chilliwack Chamber following Attrill's departure.

"We are losing a big, dynamic person that was very effective communicating with the businesses in Chilliwack," said Jason Lum, Chamber of Commerce board president. "But at the same time, Sue had the support of a very strong board and a strong executive which still exists. We recognize the importance of the [CEO] role to our membership."

And because of that,, the Chamber board will serve in the CEO position until a replacement is in place."

krobinson@theprogress.com