Former event and visitor center coordinator for the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Tami Murray has moved into a new office, that of executive director for the Chamber. After a nationwide search and some 30 applicants vying to replace outgoing executive director Michelle Glaves the board of directors decided to hand the reigns over to Murray who has been in the community since 2003 and has also served as the executive director of the T-200 sled dog race. “It’s quite exciting and a great opportunity that I’m really looking forward to,” Murray told the Dispatch. Murray officially took the helm Monday after extensive collaboration with Glaves, “Tami was such a great choice, she already manages the visitor center staff so she already has the boss gene in her and will do great,” said Glaves who held the position for 11 years. “Michelle was a great boss and had a way of cracking the whip and not making you feel bad and come back asking for more, so I’ve been listening and doing some serious training with her. She has some big shoes to fill, but I do have some ideas I’ll be bringing out in the future. Right now we’re looking forward to the only St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Alaska and helping Mike Sweeney with that, then Lemonade Day in May,” said Murray. Her other involvement in the community includes volunteering for Wounded Heroes, Take A Kid Fishing, Benefit for Kids, and much more! For the second year in a row Mother Nature and the lack of snow has forced the canceling of the most popular Iditarod qualifier in Alaska the T-200 and while disappointed Murray hopes that next year will be the charm. She plans on continuing her position as director of that race while assuming her new post at the Chamber.

“We were very pleased with the number of applications received for the position, and the board of directors feels like we have selected a well-qualified candidate”, said Ryan Kapp, President of the Board of Directors. He also noted that the Chamber will be well served by Tami’s knowledge of the Chamber from her tenure there, as well as her previous non-profit and Executive Director experience.

To welcome Tami to her new post and learn more about upcoming events or introduce yourself and your business stop by the Chamber office and visitor center at the bridge in Soldotna or call 262-9814 or visit the Soldotna Chamber website and like them on Facebook.