The CEP Network recently sat down with some of the key members of the search committee for the new CEO—Doug Cone, Ken Ausley, Dwayne Carlton, and Charisse Rivers—along with longtime staffer and newly announced Interim CEO, Tamara Fleischhaker. They discussed what the process will look like, how long it will take, and what they’re looking for in this new person. One thing’s certain: the Ocala CEP is not letting off the gas!
Some of the burning questions included: How was the search different the last time? What kind of person are you looking for this time? What do you think Ocala needs more of in the next 10 years? And more!
PULL QUOTES:
“We’re looking for somebody to come into a very successful organization and keep it going.”
—Dwayne Carlton: Owner, Ellison Property Management
“We’ll make sure that this is a very deliberate process. He or she won’t be a Kevin Sheilley clone.”
—Doug Cone: Founder & CEO, Cone Distributing
“The CEP is the third largest chamber in the state from a budgetary standpoint. And we have an incredible staff.”
—Ken Ausley: CEO, Ausley Construction
“We need a leader who is solution-oriented with a deep understanding of growth, tourism, and workforce development.”
—Charisse Rivers: CEO & Founder, Zinnia Wealth Management
“We’re better today because we’re hyper-focused on innovative ways to attract new business to the community.”
—Tamara Fleischhaker: Chief eXperience Officer, Ocala Metro CEP
“When we say we’re the voice of the business community, that’s not just a slogan on the wall.”
—Dean Blinkhorn: Chief Operating Officer, Ocala Metro CEP
Read the full forum at: OcalaCEP.com/CEPNetwork
