MIDDLEBURY — Addison County Chamber of Commerce President Sue Hoxie will soon be waking up to the smell of fresh coffee each morning as she takes on a new role as Marketing General Manager at Vermont Coffee starting in early December.
“I’m moving back into what I consider my sweet spot in marketing,” Hoxie said in a Tuesday morning interview. “I’ve really loved my eight years here at the Chamber and working with all the county’s businesses, but being in the front office or the limelight is not really where I feel most comfortable. Vermont Coffee is a great product and Paul Ralston has built an incredible team there. I’m looking forward to being a part of their team.”
Chamber board chair Dave Donahue sent out an email announcement Tuesday that Hoxie would be stepping down as of Nov. 17, and that Rob Carter, who has successfully led membership sales and retention activities this year, will serve a three-month term as interim director.
“The Addison County Chamber of Commerce is grateful to Sue for her leadership, energy and commitment,” Donahue wrote. “Originally hired in 2008 to oversee marketing and communications, Sue stepped into the role of president a little more than three years ago. Since then she has worked tirelessly to solidify membership, to grow and expand events, and to implement new programs and structures that strengthen the chamber and, more importantly, the support it provides to member organizations. We wish Sue well as she begins a new professional chapter that brings her focus back to marketing and communications.” Donahue continued in his remarks to reassure Chamber members the board had a transition plan in place.
“We are pleased to have Rob Carter, member relationship manager, already working closely with members and in place to take on this interim role,” Donahue said. “Rob has agreed to serve as interim director effective November 20th, and he and Sue will begin the transfer of knowledge immediately. Rob brings a wealth of experience to the job having spent 30-plus years working in marketing, sales, lead generation and public relations. During this interim period the chamber’s board will evaluate the position description and organizational structure before moving ahead with a plan that insures the ongoing success of the Chamber and its members.”