Executive director will leave chamber in August

After about two years on the job, Bob Choate has announced his resignation as executive director of the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce.

Choate officially started here in July of 1999 and has made his resignation official as of August 31.

"I wanted to give the board time to go through the recruitment process and give me time to work with whomever they choose," Choate said in an interview Monday. "I think it is very important to have a smooth transition."

Choate said the new director will need time to learn the job before taking over, so he hopes someone can be found by August. "It takes awhile to learn it," he said.