Dougherty to helm Carrabelle chamber

The Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce has hired a new director.

Lori Dougherty began in the fulltime job August 24, after
the 10-member chamber board selected her to succeed Lisa Munson, who left the
job earlier this year.

“We wound with seven very, very good applicants,” said Randy
Lee, president of the chamber. “We chose Lori for the energy level and the
enthusiasm she brought into that interview.

“She had energy, eagerness and the willingness to learn. You
can’t teach those things,” said Lee, who owns Coastal Cottage Living, formerly Christie’s
Cottage Living.

Also serving on the board are Lewis Christie, Paul Marxsen, Vicki
Dickert, Vicki Harris, Penny Hall, Skip Frink, Chase Chisholm, Sheri Wesson and
Debbie Halama.

“I think the whole entire board is very excited about having
Lori at the helm,” said Lee. “Every board member has a special skill set and I
think it’s a good fit. I’m very excited about it.”

Based on the burst of posts on the chamber’s Facebook page,
Dougherty has been busy in the last month, spotlighting chamber member’s businesses
and the many events around Carrabelle.

“She’s having to hit the floor running,” said Lee.

Born and raised in Carrabelle, Dougherty moved away in 1995
and recently returned in April to Florida and to Carrabelle.

“I’m here to stay,” she said. “I love it, I really do. The
board members are so nice and helpful and responsive.”

She said her first order of business is address all the
events that may have been cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are working on upcoming events starting the end of October,”
she said. “For Halloween, we’re going to have a festival on Saturday, Oct. 30,
and there’s Small Business Saturday right after Thanksgiving.

“And we’re going to have a big festival downtown, where local
merchants are going to be out pushing their merchandise,” Dougherty.

Also on her agenda will be to boost chamber membership from
the current roster beyond the more than 100 members who are now a part.

“I have a strong plan to go out and visit and recruit a lot
more,” Dougherty said. “We can promote their business on social media and when
we do events in the area, we always include members. Their name will be out
there.”

The Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce office, at 105 St. James Avenue,  is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from  10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They can be reached at (850) 697-2585, by email to chamber@nettally.com, on Facebook or at www.carrabelle.org.