BY LUCIE KRISMAN
After spending much of the last 15 to 20 years traveling, Karen Boyer was ready to do something that would help her local community.
That’s why she applied to be the Eudora Chamber of Commerce’s next executive director.
"I want to have the greatest answer when somebody asks, 'What do you do when you go to Eudora?'" Boyer said. "I want to have a list of things (and say) 'Look at all these things that we have and that we offer. Come visit us.'"
After an intensive interview process, Boyer was notified in early September she received the position.
Boyer previously worked in behavioral health, spending 15 years working with community mental health centers, and she was considering retiring when she found out about this new opportunity to replace former director Ami Bruce.
Right before applying for this position, she worked a six-month contract with a nonprofit organization in Kansas City providing housing for recovering addicts. A Eudora resident of 36 years, she has also been involved with Eudora Schools and with her church, the Holy Family Catholic Church.
Boyer worked in technology for eight years and said the technical aspect of the executive director position is what appealed to her.
She applied after friends in the community suggested she would be good for the position, which will include working to grow the Chamber and holding events as well as updating the Chamber’s social media.
"I've always tried to be involved in local things whenever I'm around," Boyer said. "It’s part time right now, but really what's listed in the whole job description is not possible in 20 hours a week. It will definitely grow, and I'm pretty excited about it."
Boyer is also a voting member of the Convention and Visitors Bureau and hopes to tie in working on events when possible into this role and work on promoting the Chamber.
"We need to grow that membership," Boyer said. "Between the Chamber and the CVB, we’ve got a lot of strength here in the city."
Before applications opened for the position after Bruce stepped down from the role this summer, Mary Kirkendoll served as interim executive director over the summer. Three candidates were interviewed for the position, and the hiring board, which included members of the Chamber board and local business owners, made the hiring decision.
Chamber President GW Weld said the role changed from Chamber coordinator to executive director a year ago to empower that person to lead the Chamber.
He said Boyer was a great selection for the role because of her technology skills and leadership abilities, as well as her passion for getting involved locally.
"We were looking for someone that has the skills necessary to communicate and really head the Chamber in organization, but we also wanted someone who really had heart for Eudora," Weld said. "That's where we were really pleased with Karen. She has a lot of energy and passion for Eudora."
Of everything her new position entails, Boyer is most excited to continue watching Eudora grow.
"There's a sense of responsibility for the Chamber to be successful because it involves everybody, and it is kind of the focus of the town," Boyer said. "I think it's just going to be a blast."
Reach reporter Lucie Krisman at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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