For nearly eighteen years it has been my honor and pleasure to serve as the Executive Director of the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce.   As Andy Millard once said (he was on the committee who hired me), “Janet eats, sleeps, and breathes the Chamber of Commerce”.  This is so true, and my husband Dominick will vouch for that.   I found my niche at the Chamber; building a network of businesses, advocating on their behalf, contributing to a better quality of life in the community, and I loved my work.

The Chamber of Commerce as a non-profit organization is funded by membership investment and special event fund raisers.  Adverse economic conditions the last few years and the cancelling of the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival resulted in difficult decisions.  The Board worked very hard this year with several new measures to bring in more funding and this will continue. Eliminating my position was a financial decision to keep the Chamber on solid ground and no reflection on my work, and I will remain employed till the end of the year. 

I need to say Thank You to the membership; the hundreds of business owners that I have promoted during my tenure and have become wonderful friends.  It has been my pleasure to meet entrepreneurs with a passion for their work, providing a unique variety of services to the community, and has enriched my life.  I have met thousands of visitors and callers, being their first contact to our area.   Along with that, being part of the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival, the most important fund raiser for the Chamber, has been an unprecedented part of my family’s lives.  Lots of hard work by a great group of volunteers, resulting in thousands who enjoyed great food, music, and more, putting Tryon on a world-wide map, will be a wonderful memory.

I will continue to be a champion for the economic vibrancy of our area. My focus now moves to finding the new employment opportunity that awaits me. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers and say hello when our paths cross. My email address is jwool313@outlook.com.

Very Sincerely, Janet Sciacca