The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce says there’s been a ton of interest for the soon-to-be vacant executive director job.

Chamber president Joshua Knaak says the job was posted at the beginning of December.

“The position will remain open until January 15th. We’ve had a very significant number of responses already and are working through the resumes we’ve received to begin something of a shortlist, have a preliminary conversation with the people who we’re interested in.”

The hiring is to replace Deb McLelland, who is resigning on Dec. 31 after 15 years. McLelland says the decision is to allow her to put more time into her own business which she has been building for five years.

“Deb is a pillar not just in the Kamloops business community but in the Chamber community across the country,” Knaak says. “And I think that’s one of the reasons why it makes sense for her to move into this entrepreneurial venture that she’s taking on, because she’s very well respected across the country.

Knaak adds the Chamber is hoping to have a new replacement hired by the middle of February.

In the interim the Chamber’s programs and events manager Acacia Pangilinan will be the acting executive director.

“She’s been working with Deb already over this last month for a transition, to maintain good level of continuity for our membership, for the business community, for our board, for everybody that’s involved with the Chamber,” Knaak says.