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Clearwater beach chamber president announces retirement

 
Darlene Kole has announced she'ss retiring as CEO and president of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce no later than Oct. 31, ending what can be described as a prolific eight-year run at the helm.
Darlene Kole has announced she'ss retiring as CEO and president of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce no later than Oct. 31, ending what can be described as a prolific eight-year run at the helm.
Published Sept. 6, 2018

CLEARWATER — Darlene Kole has announced she's retiring as CEO and president of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce no later than Oct. 31.

"Darlene's list of accomplishments is almost too long to count," said Mary Reischmann, chairwoman of the chamber's board of directors and director of sales and marketing for Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach. "She's had a big impact on the beach and the entire community."

Kole will still spend time in the area and looks forward to assisting a newly formed search committee in finding her replacement. She has a second home in North Carolina.

"Darlene is a very passionate person when it comes to Clearwater and having grown up here she knows its history as well as anyone," said Eric Waltz, general manager of the Sand Pearl Resort. "You can tell her love for the city anytime you talk about Clearwater and its uniqueness."

Kole inherited a membership of 170. Now it stands at 285. The chamber's budget has increased from $104,000 to $700,000.