SYRACUSE — Longtime Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tammy Cotton resigned from her position Friday, March 11.

Cotton stated, “I will always have a passion for the chamber and community, but I also have other passions and I’m choosing to focus on those.”

She added she will continue to be involved in the community, but will be focusing on her new role with Chautauqua-Wawasee, where she is now the pillar manager of the institution’s education and religion pillars. She will be working together with Marlies Selent-West, who manages the arts and recreation pillars, to find ideas and programs for 2017. Additionally, she noted she will continue as a board member on several area boards.

Of her time at the chamber, Cotton said she feels blessed. “I met lots of great people and made many good connections.” She added she would miss sitting in the chamber office and seeing people.

“It was not an easy decision,” Cotton said, “but I believe it is what God intended.”

Chamber President Tricia Small said, “The board is very appreciative of all of Tammy’s hard work and the dedication that she has shown the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce over the past eight years.

“The board wishes Tammy nothing but success in any future endeavors.”

Small said the board is currently discussing options. She also added the next chamber board meeting has been moved from Wednesday, April 13, to Thursday, April 14; it will still be held at noon in the chamber office.

Chamber Assistant Director Kristi Martin had also resigned, submitting her resignation Thursday, March 10.
Martin stated, “Just having two successful businesses within the community, I felt my service in the community was best served as a volunteer.” She added her focus will be on her growing businesses, Chrome Lens Photography and Psychobilly Kustoms, in addition to her young child.

“I will remain active in some of the chamber’s committees and remain involved on the trail committee board,” Martin said, noting she will also remain with the chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Association of Syracuse-Wawasee.