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Administrator Volk resigns from Berlin Chamber

(April 2, 2015) Berlin Chamber of Commerce Administrator Jim Volk announced his resignation this week.
Volk, who took over the position on Nov. 3, is expected to stay on for the next two-to-three weeks, likely through the middle part of April.
A Realtor at Hileman Real Estate in Ocean City, Volk said his decision was based on “differences in points of view” with leadership at the chamber.
“I’ve come from 30-some years in a strict business world and my expertise and my passion and my focus was to drive the commerce side,” Volk said. “Obviously, this chamber has other obligations in the form of events that impede that ability.”
Because the position was defined as part-time, Volk said he was limited to 20 hours a week at the chamber. With six chamber-sponsored events running from April through August, Volk said more than 80 percent of his time would have been devoted to event planning.
“There’s just not enough time for me to focus on driving on the business aspects,” he said. “I don’t want to do the board or anyone else a disservice, it’s just that the point of view on what we should be doing is different.”
Volk also worried that the chamber focused too narrowly on Main Street rather than embracing business throughout the larger footprint of Berlin.
“Suffice it to say that the people in this town are amazing,” Volk said. “I’ve never met a friendlier, more welcoming group of people in my life. They’re just fantastic.”
Chamber President Natalee DeHart expects to have an advertisement for the position in local papers this week.
“We want to continue with the positive momentum we have had with Jim working for the chamber and looking for continued growth,” DeHart said.
Meanwhile, former Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Liz Kain-Bolen announced her resignation on March 16, leaving a similar role available nearby.
Volk, an Ocean Pines resident, said he has had discussions with leadership in Ocean Pines, although not specifically about the position.
“It’s obvious that Ocean Pines has an opening right now, but right now there’s no communication, no interviews, nothing like that,” Volk said. “If they reach out, they reach out, if they don’t, they don’t.”