Joe Whalen

A search committee will be formed sometime in mid-July to find a replacement for Joe Whalen, who has announced his upcoming resignation as president and CEO of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce.

Whalen, who has been head of the Chamber since December of 2008, said in a long written statement to the board that he thought the time is right for fresh ideas and new opportunities that inherently come with the hiring of a new Chamber executive. The letter was presented to the board last week.

The letter given to the Chamber Board of Directors is an “intent to resign” letter inasmuch as Whalen said his resignation would take place on the last day of September of this year.

Joe Pearson, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors, will form a search committee and begin looking for someone to fill the position on August 1.

In response to Whalen’s announcement, Pearson said, “To say that Joe Whalen is going to be missed is an understatement. He has been a wonderful representative of the Chamber’s values and has worked tirelessly to improve the community of Lehigh Acres.”

Joe Pearson

Immediate Past Chairman David Deetscreek had this to say about Whalen’s announcement: “Joe worked very hard and always put the Chamber first. He is also a good man with a kind heart. I wish him the best as he works to further develop his professional career.”

Whalen said that “after much personal consideration as well as the support of my family, I believe the next phase of my professional career to soon be on the horizon.”

Whalen said he did not have a particular job position in mind, but noted that he could consider teaching. He has the college degrees and would only need the certification to teach in Lee County schools. His wife is a teacher.

Vickie Hay, the first vice chairman of the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of its Educational Committee said she was sorry that he was leaving.

“He’s a great guy to work with and I hate to see him leave. But we will form a search committee and begin to look for someone who can take over the job,” she said.

When Whalen became Chamber president and CEO, it was following several years of leadership by Oliver Conover. When Whalen became chairman, Conover was seriously ill and was unable to help him to become acquainted with his new position.

In his letter to the board, Whalen even proposed a timeline over the next 16 weeks in the process of finding and hiring a new Chamber executive.

“I hope the next 16 weeks will provide me the opportunity to be an integral part of an extremely important transition period from my term as president to the next leader of our Chamber.

“I strongly believe a smooth transition that includes sufficient training is not only integral but also vital to the future of the Lehigh Acres Chamber.“

He said he believes his active role in the transition will benefit not only the next Chamber president but in the end also help the Chamber general membership.

Whalen proposed in his timeline that on July 1, a job description be formed by the Executive Committee of the Board of directors.

By July 15, Whalen said the hiring committee should be selected and begin meetings weekly starting in August, when the position would be officially announced on the Chamber website and in the newspapers.

Interview should commence for the hiring of the new chief executive on August 29. He believes on September 16, a formal offer can be made and perhaps an acceptance of the new president and CEO.

He proposed a two-week training period to begin on Sept. 19 and plans to make himself available for the training.

He proposed that at the Sept. 27 Tuesday General Membership luncheon that the new president and CEO be introduced to the membership and that the new president would assume office on Oct. 3.