The Canby Area Chamber of Commerce has announced longtime Office Manager Audrey Traaen will serve as interim executive director while the search for a new, permanent CEO continues.
It’s a familiar role for Traaen, who has served a wide variety of duties for the chamber, including picking up the slack during previous vacancies in the executive director’s chair.
“As many of you know, Audrey has been with the chamber as the office manager for more than nine years and she does an excellent job of covering any and all duties,” board Vice President Tina Schimpf said in a February 1 email to chamber members last week.
“We are confident she will do an amazing job for our members as we work on filling the position.”
Traaen is a lifelong Canby-area resident and graduate of Canby High School. She graduated from Oregon State University with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis on entrepreneurship.
In an email to members this week, she shared that one of her two boys started kindergarten this year — and has the same bus driver she had growing up in the Canby School District.
“If that isn’t Canby, I don’t know what is,” she wrote. “I tell you this because Canby isn’t just a city for me; it’s my hometown, and I’m proud of that. I couldn’t imagine my life without the chamber and the opportunities and relationships this organization has provided me.
“I don’t just want our businesses to be fruitful, I want our community to thrive. I assure you that during this transitional period, the chamber will continue to grow and strive to serve you, our members.”
Traaen takes the reins from Tracy Zawacki, with whom the board parted ways in January after less than two months in the position.
The chamber also announced its new slate of officers for the year, including Realtor Diane Harbeck, of Better Homes & Garden, who will serve as president, and Schimpf.
Dr. Ashley McFerron, of Canby Eyecare, will serve as second vice president, and Brian Strunk, of DirectLink, as secretary and treasurer. Canby Fire Chief Jim Davis is the organization’s immediate past president.
