By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com
The San Benito Chamber of Commerce recently announced the departure of its director, Michelle Guerra Velez, who left the Chamber on March 7, according to Chamber leadership. She served the Chamber for a little over a year.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Michelle for her outstanding leadership and commitment during her tenure as Executive Director,” stated Chamber leadership in an online announcement.
The Chamber has experienced a revolving door of directors in recent years. According to their respective LinkedIn profiles, Sandee Alvarez was the director from 2016-2018, Anna Putegnat served as director for the Chamber from April 2018-2019, and Dafne Melissa Maldonado worked as director from 2020 to late 2021. Phoebe Paz took the position soon after Maldonado’s departure and stayed until late 2022 at which point Cathy Weaver was brought on as director. Velez became the Chamber’s director in November 2023 and recently left in March.
Velez’s departure was met with many comments of appreciation for her work. “Thank you, Michelle, for all you have done for our Chamber and the community of San Benito. We will miss you,” stated Patricia Avila, a member of the Chamber’s board of directors. Deborah Morales, a Commissioner for the City of San Benito, also commented, “You have made a tremendous impact in San Benito, and we greatly appreciate your efforts. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you the best in your future endeavors…”
“She’s [Velez] has been a wonderful director. We all enjoyed having her. She worked hard and did a lot for the Chamber,” stated Tori Crane, chair of the executive committee for the Chamber.
When asked why she believed the Chamber had seen so many directors in such a short time, Crane answered, “These directors are talented, young, and energetic. They want to move up, and they look at the Chamber as a stepping stone because once they’re in there, they do what they need to do, and they get noticed.” Crane added that the work of these directors earns them recognition, which opens more opportunities for them. “It’s not a reflection on the Chamber; we’re good to all our employees… it’s just that they [former directors] get noticed for the good work they are doing for the Chamber,” said Crane.
According to Crane, the Chamber is still searching for a new director. “We want to make sure the candidates stay longer than the last couple that have been here. But you can’t make them promise anything. You can’t hold anybody back,” said Crane.
“We were disappointed but still happy for Michelle. We hope, and we know, she will do great things in the future,” said Crane.
According to its official website, the San Benito Chamber of Commerce is the “beating heart of a community, a catalyst for collaboration, and a powerhouse of opportunity.” The Chamber works to “foster, enable, and facilitate the success of San Benito businesses, so the community is financially healthy, and all the people living, working, and playing in San Benito can enjoy a high quality of life.”
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