The reorganization of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce was a key agenda item for the Board of Directors when they met Friday morning. The meeting was held in Olathe just ahead of the Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat.

Board member Ben Bennett reported that they started with the reorganization of the Chamber board and the Chamber of Commerce under new direction with three entities. “A chamber membership Division, an EDC Division, and a Military Affairs Division. ”

Committees were set up to search for new membership and military affairs directors. Bennett added, “We have an Economic Development Director who will oversee the total operation but from an EDC perspective.”

Bennett said EDC Director Mickey Fornaro-Dean will be the Economic Development Director / Chamber of Commerce Director. Fornaro-Dean, who was initially hired as an EDC Director, has also been working in the Chamber CEO role on an interim basis in recent months, but that interim tag can now be removed.

The Chamber reorganization follows the resignation or retirement of former employees, and the decision by the Geary County Commission to remove the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau from the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Board decision on the reorganization goes to the City and County Commissions for a final approval in the future.

Approximately 30 people from Junction City are attending the Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat. Others from Manhattan, Wamego and Fort Riley also attend that two-day event which began Friday and continues on Saturday.