Oxnard : Executive Director of Chamber Resigns

The executive director of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce has announced that he will resign to pursue a business venture, but said Thursday that he will stay long enough to ensure a smooth transition.

George S. Scarvelis, 37, who announced his resignation at a meeting of the chamber’s board of directors Tuesday, caught members by surprise, said John H. Waters, chamber president.

“I was shocked as well as the board of directors by George’s resignation,” Waters said.

“We accepted his decision with great regret.”

Waters said the resignation would have little effect on the chamber’s programs, which are largely supervised by volunteers.

Scarvelis assumed the position with an annual salary of about $60,000 in July, 1991.

His resignation is effective Monday, but Scarvelis said he will stay until the chamber is able to hire a replacement.

“I don’t want to leave anyone in the lurch,” Scarvelis said, adding that he will meet with chamber officials early next week to discuss his departure.

Scarvelis emphasized that his departure had nothing to do with belt-tightening by the chamber, which finished last year with a $6,000 deficit.

The chamber has an annual budget of about $250,000.

After working for 12 years for the Oxnard and Santa Barbara chambers, Scarvelis said he was interested in pursuing business interests and has been discussing several marketing ventures.

Councilman Michael Plisky, an Oxnard businessman and chamber member, said he will miss the departing director.

“In the past, the chamber often did not comment on issues that affected them, but George did that,” Plisky said.