Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce names interim director

Montreat Mayor Tim Helms to fill position and provide strategic guidance

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 5, 2023

Montreat Mayor Tim Helms has been named interim director of the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Fred McCormick

The Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce has hired an interim director, following the August departure of director Sharon Tabor. 

Montreat Mayor Tim Helms, a certified chamber executive who previously held the director position for the Gaston County Chamber, will begin meeting with local business partners in the coming weeks. 

Helms, who has held his Montreat office since 2015, brings extensive leadership experience and will serve in the chamber’s transition, according to a Sept. 1 press release from the nonprofit organization. The interim director will also provide strategic guidance as the chamber looks to improve its services.

Getting to know local business owners is Helms top priority as he stepped into the position, Sept. 5.

“I will work with the board as they develop a chamber of commerce that is a business advocate, and really works with the business community to create opportunities that allow to network and expand their businesses,” Helms said. “We do a great job with the visitor center, but the chamber has to develop as other chambers have.”

Helms said he visited around a dozen Black Mountain businesses during his first day in the position.

“I want to know from them what they want the chamber to be,” he said. “We have to have a focus that meets the needs of our business community as we move forward.”

Helms, who will serve in the role through December, will assist the chamber board as it searches for a permanent director.