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January 9, 2014

Corridor Nine chamber president to retire

Corridor Nine Chamber President Barbara Clifford announced Thursday that she will retire at the end of April.

The woman responsible for leading the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce to independence announced Thursday that she will retire at the end of April.

Barbara Clifford will be leaving her role at president of the chamber after nearly 12 years at its helm. Clifford will be replaced by Karen Chapman, the chamber’s vice president since 2002.

Clifford’s spent her first six months as chamber president helping to finalize the split with the Worcester Regional chamber after a 24-year affiliation. Since then, Clifford has fought to maintain single tax rates for the chamber’s core towns, push for the repeal of the extension of the state sales tax to technology services tax last year and backed reform of the Division of Unemployment Assistance’s Fair Share Contribution program, which the chamber felt unfairly penalized business owners.

“Barbara’s relationship with members, community leaders and elected officials has created a branding of the chamber as a regional collaborator, a valuable advocate for members and a critical component in the area’s economic development,” Steve Anderson, chairman of the chamber’s board, said in a statement.

During her time with Corridor Nine, Chapman has been responsible for producing a business-to-business trade show with 120 exhibitors and 1,200 visitors each year, as well as launching a local young professionals group and organizing the chamber’s annual golf tournament. Chapman, a North Oxford resident, will begin her presidency May 1.

“Karen has excellent leadership skills and is respected, as well as deeply connected and committed to this chamber,” Anderson said. “She brings to this presidency a keen understanding of Corridor Nine’s past, as well as proven experience in bringing innovative and visionary ideas for the future.”    

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