Wilson to leave Perry Chamber after six years at helm

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Perry Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Wilson announced his resignation effective Aug. 1.

The Perry Chamber of Commerce is saying goodbye to its executive director, Bob Wilson, after six years leading the quasi-governmental organization of local commercial interests. Wilson announced his resignation Thursday.

Wilson took up the leadership of the Perry Chamber in 2011 after studying commercial photography in Santa Barbara, Calif., and also doing a vintner’s stint in the west coast’s wineries. He was eventually drawn back to his roots when the chamber position fell open.

“I fell in love with the area,” Wilson said of his hometown and his reasons for running the chamber. “I believe Perry has a lot to offer its residents, and I wanted to help promote that.”

Wilson said his tenure at the point of Perry’s commercial spear has been filled with organizing events and helping people as needed. His most memorable experience, he said, was the RAGBRAI overnight event in 2013 that was deluged by rain. He said the community came together and organized everything in a way that really showcased the heart of Perry.

One thing Wilson said he wished he had done more of as chamber director was recruit more volunteers and get more businesses involved in events throughout his term.

Wilson’s resignation comes as an opportunity presents itself that will mean a higher salary and “something that my skill set leans toward in sales to municipalities.” Wilson is taking on the task of business development at AccuJet of Iowa.

AccuJet is a local Perry firm that also hired former Perry Chamber of Commerce President Chrissy Danger in 2016. Wilson said he will spend the next two weeks or so helping in the transition to a new executive director.

“I’m here for the transition,” Wilson said. “My goal is to make it as smooth and painless as possible for the community and the chamber. This will give the chamber a chance to think about what we do and why we do it.”

“I’ll miss it,” Wilson said of his chamber position. His advice for his successor: “Come in with a good attitude.”

There are no prospects for a replacement at this time, according to chamber sources.

Perry Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Wilson and former Chamber President Chrissy VonBehren Danger will soon both be working at AccuJet in Perry, a company that obviously recognizes talent when they see it.

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