HOLMES BEACH – Friday, May 29, will be Terri Kinder’s last day as the president of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
Kinder started working with the Chamber in 2011 and she became the Chamber president in 2018. Her retirement party will be held at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez on Friday, June 5, from 5-7 p.m.
Kinder announced her pending retirement during the Chamber’s business card exchange on April 23, held that evening at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum in Anna Maria. Kinder made her announcement after the Historical Society awarded its Pat Copeland Scholarships.
When Kinder retires, current Chamber Vice President Amber Tipton will take over as interim Chamber president and serve in that role until the Chamber board of directors removes the interim title or selects someone else to serve in that leadership role. Tipton is Kinder’s daughter and she has many years of experience with the Chamber.
On April 24, Tipton provided the following comment via email: “I have some pretty big shoes to fill. I am excited and looking forward to being a good steward for the Chamber and our business community.”
In an April 30 email to The Sun, Chamber board member Katy Demick wrote, “Amber has worked for the Chamber for many years and has served as vice president, so her stepping into the role of interim president is a natural and appropriate progression based on her experience and leadership within the organization.”
On Monday, May 11, Kinder shared her thoughts on her retirement and the annual fundraising golf tournament the Chamber hosted on Friday, May 8.
“I still have a luncheon and a business card exchange to attend this month, but being here for our annual golf tournament was a great way to finish out my career with the AMI Chamber. I am humbled and thankful for all of the support, friendships, volunteers and the business community that have been a true source of encouragement and enjoyment throughout my 15-year career with the AMI Chamber. I wish everyone great success,” she stated in an email.
