McCutcheon Announces Her Departure
After 14 years with the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce and 12 years as President & CEO, Heidi McCutcheon has accepted a new employment opportunity with the Thurston County Economic Development Council and Center for Business & Innovation.
During her time at the Chamber, she brought forth many new initiatives and programs to the Mason County community. A few highlights of her tenure include coordinating the Shelton Downtown Visioning Plan; producing the public-facing Business Matters publication; implementing an annual survey; ongoing workforce development efforts from Lemonade Day to Academies; expanding tourism services; rebranding and launching a new website; and developing Public Policy Guidelines.
It is expected that McCutcheon will wrap up her duties at the Chamber this month before she begins as Operation Manager at Thurston EDC in October. She says, “there is no stronger economic development professional than Michael Cade. His team is respected statewide for being innovative, big thinkers who put out impressive programs and willingly take on tough projects. To have the opportunity to be a part of this team and to learn directly from Michael is incredible. I believe the sky is the limit in this role and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
She acknowledges that it is bittersweet to work indirectly on behalf of the community she grew up in. “It has been fulfilling to serve Mason County for so long,” says McCutcheon, “and I’ve shed tears over the people I won’t work with daily anymore. However, our Chamber is in a great place. We’ve grown to the largest membership, with the highest satisfaction, while being in the strongest financial position in recorded history. Further, I’m thrilled that the Chamber Board has asked Deidre Peterson to be President & CEO. There is no one more knowledgeable, professional, and capable of continuing these trends; and no one is more passionate about our community. She will take this organization further than we can possibly dream.”
For more information visit masonchamber.com or contact Heidi McCutcheon at heidi@masonchamber.com or (360) 426-2021.
