Alisha Davis departs from Chamber

WASHINGTON — Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Alisha Davis spends her last day with the organization Monday, wrapping up a five-year career with the group after one last Candle Light Tour of Homes event.

Davis said she had mixed emotions.

“It’s happy, but sad, of course,” she said. “I obviously want the event to go well … but I’m kind of sad that it’s my last one and I won’t be able to do these kinds of things anymore for the community.”

Davis will pick up a new job working in sales for Halcyon House in Washington. She said she was ready for the change, and hoped to spend more time with loved ones.

“I have two boys, I have a family, so the evenings, weekends, and all that, is a lot sometimes,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing, is having a more set schedule. I think the role I’m going into is one I can see myself retiring in.”

Davis said her work with the Chamber was purposeful, enriching and enjoyable, but at times could take a lot out of her.

“I’ve enjoyed a lot of people I got to meet, and hosting events for the community is something that’s very valuable and gives you a lot of gratification,” she said. “But I think that it’s also a lot of work! It’s a lot to plan events, and there’s a lot of events.”

Davis stressed that her years spent with the Chamber were gratifying despite the workload.

“This job, it takes a lot out of you, it does, it’s a lot of work that goes into it,” she said. “But you get a lot in return, when you host events and hear all the feedback. And that has been my biggest motivator.”

The Chamber holds roughly 100 events every year, according to a news release that announced the departure. Davis said she was proud of the impact she’d made.

“I don’t want to ever use the word easy, but I think it came more naturally to me,” she said. “I like organizing, I love planning, I love bringing people together … I think I’ve added a lot of new events and I found ways to tweak some of the events that are here to make them better. So I feel like I’m leaving a really good thing behind, and whoever’s going to take it on is going to have a good road map.”

The outgoing event coordinator said the work had impacted her in return. Davis said she had a newfound appreciation for every event she attended, in and out of Washington.

“I think I’ve grown so much here, from when I started,” she said. “I’m a lot more comfortable meeting other people and making those connections. I feel like when I came here, I was just a timid little girl, and now I’ve changed so much.”

Though she’ll miss the people and activities associated with her Chamber job, Davis said she was excited about the new position.

“I have a really compassionate heart, and I think I’m going to be able to use that a lot more to my benefit there,” she said. “That’s the number one reason I’m going there, is that part of me that I get to use here, but maybe not as much, in my role … I help others, but it’s not in a way that’s seen face-to-face.”

Chamber leaders said they had opened applications for the position. Davis said the position had a lot to offer.

“I hope they find somebody really great to replace me,” she said. “It’s a really awesome, and there are so many fun parts about this job. That is another thing I’ll miss, just the fun of it.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com