Blinking twice this week at the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce and readers would have missed a lot in the way of personnel changes.

The big news in Tuesday’s newspaper was the hiring of Mike Mahler as the new economic development director, replacing Jim Klarich, who retired at the end of last year.

No sooner was the ink drying on that newsprint, so to speak, when Wednesday’s newspaper contained the news that Chamber President and CEO Jackie Krawczak was leaving her post after 12 years at the helm.

Her last day is Jan. 24.

Talk about a revolving door.

Obviously, we wish Mahler much success with his new responsibilities. Anyone in that role must have a lot of patience and not be afraid to be persistent and follow leads, no matter how absurd they might seem. His previous employment in the financial and banking environment makes him particularly well-suited for that new challenge.

Likewise, we wish Krawczak well. Certainly, the Chamber has big shoes to fill in her departure. Krawczak has represented the community well in her efforts over the years and has been instrumental in building the confidence of local businesses and community leaders in their Chamber again.

The Chamber board has a hard task in front of them now in choosing a successor who has the confidence in their own ability to lead the body into this new decade.

These are busy days, indeed, at the Chamber office on Chisholm.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)