Vinton Chamber director retires after 37 years
VINTON–Judy Cunningham spent 37 years of her life supporting area businesses. On Monday, owners of those businesses came out to support her.
Cunningham, who has been Executive Director of the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce for 37 years, officially retired on Tuesday. Before she left, almost 100 members of the community honored her with a reception.
Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Cunningham (right) retired on Tuesday after 37 years. The Chamber, including President Sabrina Weeks (middle) held a reception for her on Monday at the Chamber office, with almost 100 people in attendance. Photo by Kristin Adams
“Wow, what a lady,” Vinton Special Programs director Mary Beth Layman said before the ceremony. “She has been the hard-working and detail person behind the scenes for promoting businesses in Vinton, greeting visitors and working tirelessly on events for the Vinton community.”
“You have done so much for the Chamber in your tenure,” Barry Thompson, Treasurer for the Town of Vinton, said at the ceremony.
Kathryn Sowers has been hired as part-time secretary until a new Executive Director can be hired. At this time, the top candidate has been offered the position, and is expected to take over in early October. Yet whoever is hired will have large shoes to fill; Cunningham may have been the Chamber’s director for 37 years, but her loyalty goes back even further.
Her father W.H. Harris, a Vinton businessman, founded the Vinton Chamber of Commerce. Believing that a chamber of commerce would serve the town and its businesses, Harris and other leaders held the first meeting in 1950, and Harris was elected the first president.
Cunningham literally grew up with the Chamber of Commerce. It would be hard for anyone to match that level of dedication.
Yet Cunningham never intended to work with the Chamber of Commerce. After attending college in Washington, D.C. to become a retailer, she returned to the area to work in retail, and as a copy writer for a radio station. After getting married and having two children, she decided to become a housewife. Yet life had other plans.
Kathryn Sowers, the secretary-treasurer of the Chamber in 1973, was leaving the part-time position, and asked if Cunningham was interested in taking over. After a lot of thought, Cunningham agreed to take the job.
In the past 37 years, Cunningham’s position evolved into a full-time career, and her title changed to Executive Director. Yet her duties were always the same: organizing events, planning meetings, and assisting members. She and former Vinton Mayor Charles Hill actually organized the first Christmas Parade and the first Fall Festival, which are now staples of the community.
“I’ve been with those events since the very beginning,” Cunningham said.
She often worked 60 hour weeks, attending meetings at night and festivals on the weekends.
“I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices. But I did that, too, because I love the Chamber, and the town; and I loved my job,” Cunningham said. “It’s sad to say everything in the past tense.”
On Tuesday, she will finally have time to pursue all of the interests she has neglected for so long. She plans on getting back into genealogy, one of her lifelong hobbies, and spending more time with her family.
“I’m not the type to just go home and sit down,” Cunningham said.
