The new executive director of the Evans Area Chamber of Commerce is making it a priority to address the negative opinions some have of the chamber.
Leslie Turnage began working with the chamber on April 9 and quickly got to work building new relationships and repairing the chamber’s image. The chamber, which has been in business since 1984, is a small nonprofit comprised of local businesses and professionals focused on supporting and advocating for local customers in the Evans and Greeley areas.
As the executive director, Turnage plays a crucial leadership role in managing the organization’s day-to-day operations, overseeing its strategic direction and ensuring that it effectively serves the needs of its 194 members. In addition to these responsibilities, Turnage is on the prowl to find new relationship-building opportunities and ensure that residents feel their voice is heard, which was an issue in the past when there wasn’t an executive director in place.
“My opinion is that without an Executive Director in place to be the liaison between the Chamber, its members, and the public, combined with the Board in a state of very new growth, some things were not handled as well as they will be moving forward,” Turnage said in an email interview.
The negative perception Turnage referenced was centered on recent comments about Evans’ recent estimates that their costs will exceed their revenue by 2028. Some blamed the chamber for the city’s current financial difficulties, and as part of her new duties, Turnage wishes to clear the air on the chamber’s role in the issue.
Turnage clarified that the chamber is not part of Evans city government but is its own nonprofit that operates in Evans and serves the city’s residents. The chamber’s role is to provide networking opportunities and resources for business development and to collaborate with local governments on economic initiatives, not report to them, she said.
Despite those recent comments and Turnage’s goal to improve the chamber’s public image, many members who were contacted indicated they were content with its current actions. A couple of local businesses commended the chamber as a reliable resource.
“We joined the chamber of commerce to help our business to grow, and it sounds like a good way to do that,” Rebecca Stockov of AAA Reliable Lawns LLC said. “They’ve been helping guide us, and they host functions where you can interact with the community and other small businesses. So I’m pleased with them.”
While the city council focuses on the welfare of all residents, Turnage added, the chamber has a narrower focus of supporting the city’s businesses. According to Turnage, the city and chamber should complement one another and work together in welcoming new businesses to the area.
Though the chamber’s meetings are not open to the public, the meeting minutes are available on evanschamber.org/new-page. Turnage also makes herself available to anyone who wishes to bring a complaint or issue to the chamber’s board. She can be reached at 970-330-4204 or [email protected].
“As the Executive Director, I believe that every voice matters. If you’ve ever felt like your concerns or ideas haven’t been fully heard, I want to change that,” Turnage wrote. “I invite you to share your thoughts with me — whether it’s through a one-on-one conversation, an event, or simply reaching out. Your perspective is valuable, and together, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant environment for everyone.”
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