SALISBURY — The president of the Paducah, Ky. Chamber of Commerce will take the top spot at the Rowan County chamber May 1.
Elaine Spalding was the unanimous choice of the Rowan board of directors after a nationwide search for a new chamber president, Chairwoman Cindy Hart said.
Spalding, 54, has led the Paducah chamber for 13 years and previously was the president of the chamber in Beaverton, Ore., home of Nike.
Spalding said she was attracted to Salisbury and Rowan County in part because her husband, Keyth Kahrs, is a watercolor artist.
“We were impressed by the great, diverse business community and the wonderful arts community,” she said.
The couple live in a 150-year-old house they renovated themselves and plan to buy another historic home in Salisbury.
Spalding comes to the chamber at a pivotal time when business leaders, economic developers and elected officials are calling for increased collaboration to make Salisbury and Rowan County more competitive in the hunt for jobs and new private sector investment.
Read more in Thursday’s Post.