The recent changes at the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce are more far-reaching than was reported this week: The Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau needs a new vice president.
CVB chief Sara Underdown has left her post as she recovers from a stem-cell transplant related to her battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma; she is on long-term disability.
“We will begin the search process for the VP of the CVB position very soon,” Wendy Martin, the Chamber of Commerce’s interim president, said Wednesday.
Among her accomplishments, Ms. Underdown co-founded the Snickers Marathon Energy Bar Marathon, an Albany Mardi Gras activity held in March that doubled in size in its second year. A fund-raiser for the Willson Hospice House, the race draws hundreds of out-of-town runners, hundreds of local runners, and more than 1,000 volunteers.
This year’s marathon was directed by Lisa Riddle, the CVB’s convention services manager, along with local volunteers Barry Cohen and Wendy Donnan.
Ms. Underdown’s physician, Dr. Jose Tongol, conceived of the race and together with Ms. Underdown and other volunteers kicked it off in 2007. The marathon raised more than $17,000 for the Willson hospice program in 2007; the 2008 tally hasn’t been announced.
Ms. Underdown also increased regional attention to Albany as a day-trip and weekend destination by bringing attention to Albany ’s attractions statewide and beyond, and successfully lobbied for the Albany City Commission to enhance convention marketing efforts with a higher motel tax.
Also this week, Tim Martin stepped down as president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce and Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. Bobby McKinney is temporarily directing the EDC.
