Chamber seeking third leader in as many years

When the music stopped Tuesday during what at times seems like an ongoing game of musical chairs at the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, it was President and CEO John Pynakker who did not have a seat. In a statement from the chamber’s board of directors, the chamber said it had accepted the resignation of Pynakker effective June 18.

There was no reason provided for the change in leadership. He joined the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce as president and CEO last year, his first day on the job was June 5. When a replacement is found, it will be the group’s third leader since December 2022, when long-time president and CEO Randy Collins left the post.

Taking over as interim president and CEO will be Dr. Steve Yokeley who is stepping back into the interim role after having served in it leading up to the hiring of Pynakker last year. The group said he would be reporting directly to the executive committee.

In the statement Yokeley said, “I look forward to working closely with the chamber board, staff, members, and hundreds of stakeholders during this transition period. Our chamber has a bright future.”

“On behalf of the board of directors, we thank John for his service, leadership, and contributions to the business community,” said Wendy Wood, 2024 chamber board chair.

“We wish him all the best with his future endeavors,” she said. Under the leadership of Wood, the board will immediately begin the search for a new CEO.

She also tamped down any concerns about Autumn Leaves Festival preparation that may have arisen for a sudden change in leadership following Pynakker’s resignation.

“We have a committee of dedicated volunteers who are working as a team to coordinate this year’s festival under the leadership of Christy Cardwell, ALF committee chair, and Lenise Lynch, our events committee chair. Emily Pfitzner, with Our Marketing, is experienced in festivals and is our ALF coordinator,” Wood explained.

She added that having Yokeley back at the helm during the transition will ensure that chamber business is addressed by a figure known to local business leaders, “Steve is a well-known and respected member of the Mount Airy community, and he has served as interim president and CEO previously. I look forward to his leadership and guidance during our search period.”

Yokeley, a Realtor with Group3 Real Estate and former Mount Airy commissioner and local dentist, will take a leave from his position as chamber board member while he serves in the interim position.

“Steve serves in various capacities as a volunteer within the chamber and the community, so we are grateful for his willingness to serve in this role and provide his sense of familiarity with the community and its members,” said Wood.

Prior to his year leading the chamber, Pynakker served in a similar capacity at the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce in Bullhead, Arizona. He was hired after a search to replace Randy Collins, who stepped down from post at the end of 2022 after leading the chamber for many years.

Last year the chamber saw Jordon Edwards step down as events director, overseeing amongst other events the Autumn Leaves Festival, to take a new job as assistant director of Mount Airy Downtown Inc. She replaced Travis Frye in that role when he left the chamber to be tourism director for Surry County and Dobson in March 2022.

Staffing the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce is now again a priority as it has a staff of two, Membership Director Cristie Andrews and Events & Marketing Director Will Pfitzner.

In April, the chamber had another surprise departure of a staff member when their newly hired executive assistant was arrested for actions she was accused of at her previous job. Ashleigh Caroline Billings of Mount Airy was arrested on April 26 and charged with felonious embezzlement from a previous employer, LC Contracting LLC of Mount Airy.

Mount Airy Police Chief Dale Watson said the alleged embezzlement occurred between January 2022 through this March and the investigation began last November. There is no evidence that there is any correlation between Billings employment status and the resignation and departure of Pynakker.

Members of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors said they could not comment on the personnel matter.