SEQUIM — The new executive director for the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is longtime Sequim resident Beth Pratt.
She will begin work on Monday at the chamber office, 1192 E. Washington St.
Pratt was selected after just more than a month of searching, said Charla Wright, chamber board president. Pratt replaces Anji Scalf, who resigned in early October after heading the chamber for three years.
“We are very excited about having Beth as the Sequim chamber’s executive director,” Wright said in a press release. “We feel she brings a new vision, dedication, excitement and professionalism to the chamber.”
Pratt comes to the chamber after more than 14 years of working in senior long-term care. She was activity director for The Lodge at Sherwood Village.
“If you saw The Lodge Town Car or bus around the area, it was likely me driving it between 2007 and 2017. I didn’t know work could be so much fun until I took on that role,” said Pratt, who added with a laugh, “I have also worn a number of ridiculous costumes in the Irrigation Festival parade over the years.”
Pratt, who plays the violin and joined the Sequim Community Orchestra in 2012, served for 3½ years as board president and moved into marketing and admissions after leaving The Lodge, she said.
She has written for Compass & Clock magazine, been a guest speaker about retirement and assisted living communities for several service organizations and senior fairs.
She is involved in many fundraising events with the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, serving on committees for the Festival of Trees, Harvest of Hope, and Red, Set Go.
She also worked on two stories with Seattle-based news channels in 2018. One of them, about a 104-year-old woman going for a ride in a Harley Club, won a 2019 Northwest Emmy for Eric Johnson’s Heroes on KOMO-4, Wright said.
“She will bring the skills she has developed in communications and promotions to her new role, as well as her strong work ethic and willingness to get projects done well, on time and on budget,” Wright said in a press release.
Why did Pratt make a career change?
“Working through the past two years has taken a big toll on all who serve our senior communities,” Pratt said.
“After three COVID-19 lockdowns, two quarantines for other infectious diseases and working in a very short-staffed community, I was definitely ready for a change.”
The chamber’s goals for 2022 are to grow membership and increase the support by the chamber in downtown businesses and through events held in the community, Wright said.
“Events will be a large focus for 2022 and Beth brings a history of successful media campaigns which can be used within the chamber’s 501(c)(3) definition to meet the chamber’s financial needs,” Wright said.
Said Pratt: “I am excited to get started, to meet all the business owners and managers around our area, learn what they expect of their chamber of commerce, and deliver to them the best services our team can offer.
“There is a lot we can do as a community to support each other, from shopping and dining locally to jumping in to help with civic celebrations together.
“It is my honor to get to help lead the charge past COVID-19 and into the future of Sequim.”
For more information, call the chamber at 360-683-6197 or visit sequimchamber.com.