After months of turmoil and disagreement following the dismissal of Lee Lawrence on Jan. 18, the newly formed Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce board of directors is continuing its quest for an executive director.

Four interviews with potential candidates are scheduled for July 10, according to chamber board president Bill Littlejohn. Applications will continue being accepted until that date.

If Littlejohn has his way, a new executive director will be named by mid-July. “It’s a priority,” Littlejohn said. “If we have to schedule an executive session board meeting, that’s what we will do. We don’t want to drag the process out any longer than we have to.”

Littlejohn said he wasn’t at liberty to disclose who the four candidates are and didn’t know if they are from Sequim or not because he wasn’t on the selection committee. He said that resumes from the 27 people who applied alongside Lawrence are being reviewed a second time, as well as applications from new candidates.

The job description, according to a recent press release, describes the executive director as responsible for coordination of all organizational activities of the chamber including programs, membership, board development, fundraising, employment, training and supervision of staff and volunteers.

The annual salary is listed as $40,000-$50,000 based on experience.

Position requirements include a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or communications with two years of appropriate business-related experience or six years full-time business-related work experience; demonstrated visioning and planning skills; the ability to express and exchange ideas by spoken word in an accurate and audible manner; the ability to communicate information correctly and effectively in written form to membership, community and the board of directors; live on the North Olympic Peninsula or be willing to relocate to the area; reliable transportation to attend functions, events and meetings; demonstrated office skills including Internet, Word, Excel and Power Point; and the ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

“We want somebody who meets people well, is trustworthy and has a good work ethic,” Littlejohn said. “We want them to start working from day one.”

Jeri Smith, office administrator, emphasized the importance of marketing, communication, business and budgeting skills. “The chamber represents our whole area and we need good representation and presentation,” she said.

Resumes should be mailed to: Attn: Selection Committee, c/o Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 907, Sequim, WA 98382.

For more information, go online to www.sequimchamber.com or call 683-6197.