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In a written statement, the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday morning that Executive Director Jacqueline Pappas will be leaving her 8 year tenure with the nonprofit by summer’s end. 

Pappas, who will be relocating to Wilmington, NC, joined the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees in 2008 as a co-chair of the Marketing Committee.

She has said the decision was made in order to be closer to family.

“My time in Asbury Park has been extraordinary,” Pappas said. “Throughout the length of my career, I have never encountered such a loving, supportive, passionate community, and the experience and the relationship are invaluable to the rest of my life and career.”

Pappas said she will remain in her role throughout the transition from late August to mid-September, following the completion of Oysterfest.

“We have an exciting couple of months ahead and I’ll be here for all of that,” she said. “I look forward to spending the next few month doing some exciting things in the city – we have a lot to do.”

During Gov. Chris Christie’s annual visit to city to kick off the summer season [below right], which Pappas helps coordinate, she said:

“Now back in 1980, we became slightly insignificant – so much so that the state’s Travel and Tourism guide solely listed this destination as an exit ramp on the Garden State Parkway,” she said. “We talked about success here in Asbury Park, things that would happen once a year and then they happened every couple of months. We’ve grown a lot, and every day now in Asbury Park is a special day. Every day has something new. This is the new history of Asbury Park.”

Pappas began her tenure by redesigning the Chamber’s website and took control of their social media footprint, according to the announcement. She advanced the organization’s goals and helped to strengthen Asbury Park’s business community and the surrounding market.

“Jackie has been an invaluable, motivated leader for the Chamber and the Asbury Park Community,” said Chamber President Roy Werts. “Her ability to advocate for business, build partnerships and drive the organization forward serves as a model for those who will follow.”

During her six year tenure as Executive Director, Pappas reinvented the annual Carousel Awards Gala, created the Asbury Park Restaurant Tour and the Wine Tour and took over management and execution of the annual Asbury Park Oysterfest.

She helped in coordinating the logistics of the Asbury Park Zombie Walk and the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and transformed the Chamber Visitor Trailer on the boardwalk into a seasonal radio studio. Since 2012, 94.3 The Point and NJ 101.5 have broadcast live every weekend from May through October.

“Although we are saddened to see her leave, we are so very fortunate to have benefited from Jackie’s leadership,” said Chamber Treasurer, April Huchko. 

Although the Chamber of Commerce is a stand-alone non-profit organization, Pappas is credited with serving as ambassador for the City of Asbury Park, creating the “LOVE Asbury Park” branding campaign currently in use to market the City.

She designed and produced the official City Guide which is distributed to over 20,000 visitors each year in support of promoting commerce and tourism in Asbury Park, and has served on various community and non-profit committees, as well as advisory boards, including the Asbury Park Community Action Network [CAN] and the Asbury Park Community Development Initiative [CDI].

“Pappas has made an indelible mark on the organization by dramatically enhancing and redesigning the internal and external Chamber structure resulting in better communication strategies, building a dynamic team in the Chamber office and adding transparency and approachability to the growing organization,” Former Assemblywoman and past Chamber Vice President, Mary Pat Angelini said.

A Search Committee is currently recruiting for the Executive Director position, officials said.

[boardwalk photo courtesy of NJ Discover]

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