FLEMING ISLAND – The Board of Directors of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce selected Chip Dobson as its new Chamber President.
In this capacity Dobson will lead the chamber staff in executing …
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FLEMING ISLAND – The Board of Directors of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce selected Chip Dobson as its new Chamber President.
In this capacity Dobson will lead the chamber staff in executing the organization’s programs and activities to support the Chamber members and the business community and residents of Clay County. He assumed his duties on April 29.
According to Amy Pope-Wells, Board of Directors Chairman and head of the search committee, “Chip is exactly the type of leader our Chamber needs at this time. He has the leadership and management expertise as well as the familiarity with Clay County that our Board was looking for.”
Dobson takes over following the following the retirement of Tresa Calfee on Jan. 7, Since then, Pope-Wells has served on an interim basis.
“Every organization needs to change things up,” Dobson said. “Sometimes it’s kind of planned, sometimes it’s not.”
Dobson said his immediate goals are to gain an understanding of the issues the Chamber faces, and how possible fixes translate to the Chamber’s roll in the community. At the same time, Dobson said there will be an emphasis on long-range issues, especially growth and development in Green Cove Springs.”
“There are opportunities out there,” he said. “Life in Clay County can be pretty good, especially with the outer beltway coming through. We’ve already seen tremendous growth with the beltway.”
While Dobson said the Chamber will promote growth, it will pay attention to how that growth challenges infrastructure and zoning.
“I don’t claim to be an expert on it.” He said. “I’m going to get out there and talk to people to get a better understanding of the issues we face, as well as the opportunities out there.”
Dobson is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and was the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Jacksonville from 2004 to 2007. More recently he held management positions with CSX Transportation and Amazon. He served on the Clay County Development Authority for eight years and was Board Chairman in 2015 and 2016. During his Navy career Dobson and his family lived in Clay County several times and they choose to stay in Clay County after he completed his military service. Dobson graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, and he also earned a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
“I am thrilled and extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve Clay County as President of the Chamber,” Dobson said. “I look forward to working with the Chamber Board, our members and others that are dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity, supporting the business community and enhancing the quality of life throughout Clay County.”