After almost five years as CEO of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Lynn Dennis is leaving. Here’s the announcement we received today from the Chamber:

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce announced today that Lynn Dennis has officially resigned from her nearly 5 years as the CEO of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, effective at the end of the year.

Lynn has been the CEO of the Chamber since January 2014 and in that time has helped take the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce to a place amongst the most recognized chambers in the Pacific Northwest. Under Lynn’s leadership, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has grown its membership, increased member participation in its programs, built numerous partnerships, and has placed the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on a path for future growth and success.

Lynn Dennis says, “It has been a privilege and honor to serve as the CEO of an organization consisting of businesses and nonprofits who take seriously their role as leaders of a community known for the core values of integrity, respect and commitment. The WSCC members are known for being as committed to the West Seattle community and other peninsula businesses as they are to their own success. Thank you for this gratifying experience”.

The Board of Directors of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has launched a search for a new CEO.

Chair of the Board of Directors Pete Spalding says that while the Chamber is sad to be losing Lynn, “This has been an exciting last few years for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Under Lynn’s guidance and leadership our organization has grown its membership, outreach abilities and partnerships across the West Seattle peninsula. We cannot thank Lynn enough for her contributions to our organization.”

We e-mailed Dennis to ask about her future plans. She replied, “My family challenges need my focus and for me to be physically closer to home in Auburn. The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is ready to take the next big step and someone is going to have the opportunity of a lifetime. It was a hard decision but my family needs me. Nowhere in the Chamber industry do you find such a engaged membership. In the words of Buzz Lightyear … ‘to infinity and beyond!'”