Chamber selects interim director

 In the ongoing search for a LaRue County Chamber of Commerce director after Jessica Davis recently announced her resignation, Angel French has been named interim director. 

Buy this photo

“Angel will be overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Chamber and the Visitor Center until a permanent director is found,” Davis said in an email message. “Currently she is working on recruiting for the 2012 Leadership LaRue County program and preparing for the Kentucky State Fair.”

French previously has worked in retail, in the county attorney’s office and as a school bus driver. All of those experiences have helped her to meet people in the community and become the kind of employee she feels the Chamber needs. 

“As a representative of this community, as an executive director, I feel like I have a lot to offer,” French said. “I have knowledge about the community. As a person, I hope I have what the community wants – a sincere, honest person and someone who’s not afraid to work for their community.” 

French says that most of her positive qualities have come from her time as a foster child. 

However, even with the frequent moves she had at a young age, she ended up coming to LaRue County in 1994 and graduating from LaRue County High School. 

That time in foster care led French to start volunteering at the state fair with WLKY and the “Wednesday’s Child” program which promotes adoption throughout Kentuckiana. She says that time as a state fair volunteer has helped ease her transition into her role at the Chamber of Commerce, where state fair plans are in the works.  

“This will be my third year volunteering with them,” she said. “You want to give back to the community. If it weren’t for foster care, I wouldn’t be who I am today.” 

French, as interim director, will be able to apply for the permanent job. Her first day at work was July 31, and should she be chosen, she will know by the end of September. 

Whether French will become permanent director of the Chamber, or if she will only be there in an interim role until September, French is happy with where her life is taking her.

“God doesn’t close one door to not open another,” she said.