Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce President & CEO stepping down

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

A little more than two years after taking the helm as president and CEO of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, Alicia Menard announced on Tuesday afternoon that she is stepping down from the position.

She made the announcement via email that was addressed to “chamber membership, community leaders, and strategic partners.”

Menard said she submitted her forma letter of resignation on March 4 to the chamber of commerce board of directors, who accepted her resignation on March 9. Her last day on the job will be Wednesday, April 14.

“After careful consideration and a heavy heart, I have made the very difficult decision to resign in order to relocate permanently to my husband's place of business. Working for the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, its members, volunteers, the citizens and Community Leaders of Copperas Cove has been a wonderful experience that has afforded me many valuable opportunities for growth and development, and I am very grateful to have been part of this organization. Thank you for the guidance and support you provided during my tenure,” Menard wrote. “I feel blessed to be taking so many wonderful memories with me and appreciate the lifetime friendships that were made.”

As far as future chamber of commerce events, such as Rabbit Fest coming up the third weekend in May, Menard told the Leader-Press that the community will not feel or see any effects during or from this transition and that “it will be seamless and very successful for all.”

She added that she’s agreed to stay on as a consultant for six months or until otherwise advised and has also agreed to come back for the events if needed.

Menard was announced as the new Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce president at its 2019 banquet.

She had previously spent nine years at the Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce, seven of those as its director, then left her position prior to opening Unwind! Café and Tasting Room in Copperas Cove in late 2016. The chamber now begins its search for a new chamber president and CEO.