Rochester Chamber of Commerce President Resigns
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - It appears the water has boiled over at the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
According to a news release from the organization, Chamber President Rob Miller resigned Wednesday and a search will start soon for a successor.
In the past week, controversy has grown involving some members and former employees, including longtime membership director Judy Braatz who left the Chamber earlier this month. This led to some membership cancellations and growing questions about Miller’s leadership.
The Post Bulletin reports it obtained a letter Braatz sent to the Chamber’s Board of Directors last week. According to the newspaper, Braatz wrote, “ I have been asked to resign. I do not want to resign and have no intent to resign. “ It went on to say, “ I am being forced out of my job of 23 years due to the discrimination and bullying behavior of Rob Miller.”
According to a Chamber press release, “ Miller led the continued growth of Minnesota’s largest Chamber organization and brought greater focus and vitality to Chamber events and outreach efforts” during his three years as its president.
“Rob is a visionary leader who brought great energy, business acumen and an entrepreneurial vantage point to our Chamber,” said Chamber Board Chair Lisa Clarke. “He drove member engagement at our events and worked to ensure there were accessible touch points for all our members no matter how small or large. We know there are great things in store for Rob in the future.”
“The Executive Committee and Board have shown its dedication over the past few days, meeting and conferring on how to continue to move the Chamber forward,” Clarke said. “Rob only wants the best for the Chamber and decided, for the good of the Chamber and to avoid further distraction, that it was best to move on.”
The 151-year old Rochester Chamber of Commerce boasts more than 1,500 members and is the largest Chamber in Minnesota