Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Max Anderson has resigned from his position, citing personal reasons.

Anderson, who held his position since January 2017, submitted his resignation effective Monday (March 19). “This decision to resign was made after long and careful consideration," he wrote to CEO Doug Luciani of TraverseCONNECT, parent organization of the Chamber. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for a rewarding employment experience with TraverseCONNECT, its entire staff, and with you personally. This decision however is the best course of action for myself and my family at this time.” Anderson tells The Ticker he has "no plans to leave the community," adding: “I’ll be involved and around. I’m proud of the work I did at the Chamber and proud of my decision I made to resign. It was just time for me to move on.”

Chamber Director of Investor Relations Jill May has been named interim executive director of the organization. May, who has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, was appointed to the position by Luciani with the support of Chamber Board Chair Kevin Schlueter. “I’m looking forward to building on the relationships I’ve developed with our members to continue the positive efforts of the Chamber in making an impact on our regional businesses and communities," May said in a statement. "I am committed to making this a seamless transition until a permanent executive director is appointed."

A search for a new executive director will begin following a meeting of the Chamber’s board of directors in April.