Table Rock chamber seeks new director

Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dave Liebenow is resigning from the chamber, effective March 1, to perform small-business consulting work.

Liebenow has led the chamber in Kimberling City since March 2011, and during his tenure, membership has grown by 100 members.

“The chamber was about ready to go under when I took over, and we’ve turned the corner,” he said, noting the tourism-focused chamber currently has nearly 360 members and a record 120 people attended its last luncheon. “We picked up 12 [members] in the last month.”

Liebenow informed the chamber board of his resignation plan in late December, and a search committee has received 25 applications, said Past Chairman Bob Cox, who is leading the selection process.

Cox said the search committee would meet next week to review resumes with a selection deadline of March 1. He said the target start date for Liebenow’s successor is April 1, and the new director would be responsible for supporting the economic health and development of Table Rock Lake and Stone County.

“You have to be a leader in the community from the standpoint of economic development and coordination with agencies, as well as provide daily value to our members as they work to improve their businesses,” said Cox, who co-owns State Park Marina and The Harbor Boat & Yacht Sales. “You almost have to be a Swiss Army knife of a leader.”

He said the field includes several out-of-state candidates, but the majority reside in Missouri and in the 417 area code. Cox expects the committee will conduct at least three interviews.

The chamber, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, employs four full-time and three part-time staff members, according to VisitTableRockLake.org.

The new gig for Liebenow doesn’t mean he is leaving the lakes area.

“We’re staying here. I love this area,” he said. “I actually hope it will give me more time to fish.”

Liebenow said Illinois client Casey State Bank is seeking more contract work after he helped the agriculture-based community bank with strategic planning during the past three years. He sees opportunity in small-business planning, too.

“I see a need for a lot of our small businesses here that don’t have the resources and take the time to plan,” said Liebenow, a sales and marketing management veteran with 28 years at 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM). “Even if the plan is to sell the place, at some point, you got to have a plan to maximize your exposure.”