By DON STINE
Kim Horn Blanda, executive director of the Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce, is leaving her position after serving for eight years leading the organization she helped create in 1983.
A founding member of the chamber, Blanda has created and chaired several events over the years and designed and edited the chamber’s long-time newsletter “Business in Ocean.” In addition to running the day-to-day activities of the chamber, and working with all committees on the development and implementation of events and programs, Blanda has been designing and updating the chamber’s website
“I was always a very, very active member of the chamber and ran various events, including helping my husband run the organization’s scholarship events. Then I was asked to step in as executive director for a couple of weeks and it ended up being eight years,” she said.
But Blanda said it is “very bittersweet” leaving her position.
“I was involved from the beginning and met so many wonderful people throughout many communities and I was happy have an opportunity to have events and watch the chamber grow. But it is time for me to move on but I will miss everybody. I will still be around for events but it will definitely be a cultural shock for me,” she said.
Blanda said she has accepted a job as the area sales management for the Marriott hotels in Neptune and Wall. Her replacement has not yet been selected.
“I am very much looking forward to my new position and working with the with wonderful people there,” she said.
