Passing the Chamber torch

"I was able to bring the Chamber to where it should be, Clare will take it to where it could be," Jeanette Pauer said.

In 2020, the COVID pandemic hit and Chamber President Ida Perkins sadly passed away in 2021. Jeanette Pauer, who, at the time was the manager of Coldwell Banker, saw an opportunity to help the Chamber in a crucial time of need and took on the role of president in late 2021. Growing up with a small family business, Jeanette understands their importance and wanted to support them in her own town.

Jeanette was many things before her time as Chamber president. Besides being a manager at Coldwell Banker, she was a realtor in her own right, a volunteer at the Visitor's Center and an avid and well-liked community member. During her time as president of the Chamber she focused on building the foundations of the organization. She re-branded and grew Mountain Festival, organized job fairs and started the much-loved "Lunch and Learn" business education series.

In July of this year, Jeanette announced she was stepping down from the Chamber in order to have more time with her family. The Chamber had reviewed a multitude of applicants in the months preceding the public announcement and chose Clare Scotti, who is highly-qualified and very active in the community. She began as Jeanette's assistant in June.

One of Jeanette's biggest concerns when she was in the process of stepping down was the upcoming Mountain Festival. Someone would need to learn how to run it in just a month's time. Fortunately Clare, who Jeanette describes as "fantastic," really stepped up to the plate. Despite hurricane Hilary throwing the weekend into chaos, Scotti's organization and dedication ensured the festival was still a success, a feat that would not have been possible without Jeanette's support and training.

Jeanette might not be the Chamber president anymore, but she's far from "gone quiet" in the community. At the end of August, Jeanette was sworn into City Council, where she can continue to be involved in the community while spending much-needed time with her family. Jeanette has expressed her full confidence in Clare and is excited to see what the future holds for the Chamber. Even though she's no longer president, Jeanette assures that if Clare or the Chamber ever need help, she'll be there.