New chamber executive director has a build in affection for Nautical City

The new executive director of the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce has a registered Michigan license plate that reads: ?RCWANNABE.? Tonya A. Skuse, was raised in Onaway and is a graduate of Onaway High School, but during her high school days she always wanted to go to school in Rogers City. They always had successful sports teams in the late 1990s, and she rooted for the Hurons and not her almamater. Skuse was disappointed that Onaway scored a last minute touchdown against Rogers City when the two county rivals met earlier this season in football. Now, this young, enthusiastic woman, who for so long has supported Rogers City and wanted to be a part of the lakefront community, is now in charge of promoting it. Skuse started her duties as new executive directive last week. ?I’ve been trying to absorb as much as quickly as possible,? she said.

One of her first priorities has been finalizing details for the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce?s annual meeting with keynote speaker Eric Baker, Wolverine Power Cooperative president/CEO. She also attended Tuesday?s ribbon cutting of the Calcite Credit Union outlet at RCHS, learned her way around the office, and answered lots of phone calls. Skuse seems to have the boundless energy needed to keep the chamber moving. She takes over for Al Stiller, who decided to continue his career as a pilot in St. Ignace.

SK– USE, WHO is living with family in Onaway, graduated from Michigan State University in May 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in animal science. She worked in the field until May 2004, before taking a job with Michigan State University Extension in Calhoun County. She administered a 1,000 member youth development program. Parts of her duties were providing programming needs, public relations, event planning, and last but not least, promotion, an important detail certainly not lost on Skuse?s resume by the chamber steering committee. ?While working for MSU Extension I gained experience in a lot of different areas that will be beneficial in working with the chamber, the first of which is a certificate in volunteer management,? said Skuse. ?The board of directors are all volunteers…the chamber members…all volunteers.? In the future, Skuse would like to form some kind of internship program with the high school.

?Other things I bring from Extension are several professional development courses on things such as conflict resolution, personality types, and facilitation,? she said. ?Everyone has diffe

rent approaches/solution to the same problem and that is not a bad thing! It’s a good thing. My goals include not only getting the chamber board to really gel, but to get great partnerships going with other local organizations with similar goals.? Skuse also has worked in the tourism industry at a hotel and at Onaway State Park. She also is a PC, Internet junkie. Stiller made some tremendous strides with the Internet site rogerscitychamber.com, but Skuse wants to take it to another level. She would like to make a PDF brochure available on the site that would have information about the city and chamber members.

?MY DEGREE is in animal science, so I look forward to strenghtening and promoting the county’s agricultural assets as well,? said Skuse. ?It’s a beautiful town. Quiet, but not too quiet. There’s all kinds of hunting, fishing, & other outdoorsy activities right at your fingertips. You know your neighbors by name. Store clerks recognize you, all things I missed when I lived downstate. ?And of course, there’s potential. I’m excited by the opportunity this position gives me. I’ve always said my ideal job is one I can take ownership of and leave a legacy. I love the area and it seemed like I was telling someone about this area all the time when I lived down state. I like going to work everyday and really loving what I do, and I do honestly love RC!?

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