Rogersville chamber director takes job at nonprofit

SBJ file photo

Tami North

Tami North, executive director of the Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce since early 2016, is exiting the organization to join a nonprofit with which she has personal ties.

North said she’s scheduled to onboard Aug. 20 with the Muscular Dystrophy Association as development specialist in its Springfield office. Part of the MDA’s mission is to end amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka Lou Gehrig’s disease. Her husband died of ALS in 2014.

“It is my dream come true, to give my life to this meaningful work,” North said in her resignation letter to the chamber board, provided to Springfield Business Journal. “My heart is full, and ironically, I received this offer just two short days before mine and Gary’s 29th wedding anniversary — a wonderful gift, indeed.”

At the local MDA office, North will lead development of the nonprofit’s southwest region.

At the chamber, North has led a boom in membership numbers, more than doubling its count to a current level of 218, she said, noting the organization’s $50,000 budget also is growing. During her tenure, the chamber also entered new partnerships with the Rogersville school district and city, initiated workforce programs and remodeled its offices.

“It's a bittersweet week for sure,” North said via email. “This position has been my baby.”

North said she’s working with the chamber board to find her successor. The job posting was listed yesterday on Indeed.com.