Shake up at Cameron County Chamber

This has been a week of personnel changes at the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber President Bryan Good appointed Pete Fragale and Rob Aversa to fill two vacancies on the board of directors, while Rick McLean, Meg Whiting and Kim Artman were all elected to the board. When the latter trio takes office next month, 12 of the board's 13 seats will be occupied.

Meanwhile, Chamber directors by a 5-2 vote decided on Monday to dismiss Executive Director Shawnarae Callahan, a 10-year Chamber employee.

"It wasn't personal and it wasn't anything specific that she had done," Good told Endeavor News. "We (the board) just felt that we needed a spark to help us go in a new direction."

Callahan earned $8,400 plus benefits in the part-time role.

The board is expected to beef up the salary, add additional work hours and advertise for the position.

Callahan told Endeavor News that she had no reason to believe her job performance was in question and that the dismissal came as a complete surprise to her.

Other Chamber board members, all serving in volunteer capacities, are Connie Garrigan, vice president; Donald "Stretch" Reed, treasurer; Peggy Letterman, Rick Olivett, Mike Wennin and Steve Straub.