Rexburg Chamber President to retire after 20 years
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REXBURG — Donna Benfield, the president and CEO of the Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce, announced Monday afternoon she’s retiring from her position.
Benfield said she’ll remain with the Chamber until the end of the year.
Starting Jan. 1, she’ll assume a management position with Hawaii-based company Voices of Change. She’ll be working with Grammy-nominated Hawaiian performer LT Smooth as a promoter for motivational events to help at-risk kids. In her time at the Chamber, Benfield has worked extensively with Smooth, who shares a positive message for youth struggling with personal challenges, according to a chamber news release.
Smooth approached Benfield about the opportunity.
“This was a professional opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Benfield said in an exclusive podcast interview with EastIdahoNews.com. “I’ll be working with kids and traveling all over the world.”
She will continue to live in Rexburg, but her job will require national and international travel.
Benfield has been with the Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years. In her position, she’s overseen and organized the annual Idaho Summerfest, bringing dancers and musicians from around the world to the Upper Valley. The event was previously known as the Idaho International Dance Festival.
“Donna has been an excellent CEO,” Chamber Executive Board Chairman Geoff Thomas said in a news release. “She has worked tirelessly promoting business development in the greater Rexburg area community for many years. I cannot begin to thank her enough for her hard work, thoughtful leadership and selfless commitment to our community.”
Benfield also has served on the Rexburg City Council since 2000 and she said she plans to remain on the Council.
The Chamber Executive Board plans to begin the search to hire a new CEO soon.