Sharon Tabor steps down from Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce
Board begins search for new executive director
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
August 15, 2023
Sharon Tabor, pictured here in a 2021 photo, stepped down from her position as the executive director of the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Fred McCormick
The Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new executive director, following the resignation of Sharon Tabor.
Tabor, who was previously the director of the Cave City Tourist & Convention Commission in Bowling Green, Kentucky prior to being hired to lead the local chamber in the summer of 2019, initially informed the chamber board she would be stepping down from her role, effective, Thursday, Aug. 17. The former director, citing personal reasons, left over the weekend.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with the partners throughout the years, but personal issues predicated ending my position before I originally intended to,” Tabor said. “I’m going to miss working with the partners, and with everybody.”
The chamber board, in an email statement to its partners and signed by four officers, Aug. 10, expressed gratitude for Tabor’s leadership during her time with the nonprofit organization.
“Sharon has made a significant impact on both the chamber and the community, as a whole,” the statement read. “We would like to thank her for her work over the past several years and wish her every success in the future. Sharon has guided the chamber with a steady hand, grown relationships and expanded the reach of the chamber.”
The 16-member board, the email continued, is “in the process of evaluating options and searching for a new executive director.”
Founded in 1923, the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce promotes tourism and local businesses in the Swannanoa Valley. The organization, which includes approximately 200 partners, manages the Visitor Center, hosts the annual Sourwood Festival and organizes Holly Jolly and the Black Mountain Christmas Parade.