After national search, Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber hires from within
After a months-long, nationwide search, the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors has chosen its next president.
All the successful candidate has to do is change offices in the chamber’s Rehoboth Avenue location. Kate VanVorst, the chamber’s event coordinator and membership representative, will take over as president Jan. 1.
“Kate interviewed exceptionally well and impressed us with her desire to move the chamber forward with some great new ideas in technological advancements that could better serve our membership,” said Susan Wood, chamber board president, in a statement Oct. 15. “She demonstrated a true love for the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach area, and a deep respect for Carol [Everhart] and everything she had achieved in her 36-year reign.”
Carol Everhart, who began working for the chamber in the early 1990s before becoming president in 1996, announced her retirement in July. Soon afterward, the chamber board formed a task force to find her replacement, and a local and national search brought in more than 70 applications, said Wood. Ten applicants were selected to participate in remote interviews, with five of those candidates being invited back for in-person interviews.
VanVorst has a bachelor of science degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism management, and a master of science degree in international hospitality and tourism research from the University of South Carolina. She has been working at the chamber for most of the last 15 years. She interned in 2009 before becoming the event coordinator. VanVorst held that position for seven years, before leaving the chamber for a few years. She returned in August 2021 as the event coordinator and was responsible for membership services.
Taking on the additional responsibilities the last four years has really shown her how the chamber works, said VanVorst.
“It’s exciting. It’s nerve-racking, but in a good way,” said VanVorst in an interview Oct. 14. “It was a tough interview process. I was always hopeful. I was trying not to get too excited as I continued on.”
Everhart said she’s confident VanVorst is ready for even more responsibilities.
“She knows the drill,” said Everhart. “As long as Kate keeps the chamber’s mission in mind – business, tourism and civic responsibility – she’ll do a great job.”
Other than enhancing the chamber’s use of technology, and probably changing her office, VanVorst said she doesn’t anticipate too many changes at the beginning. Changes take time, she said, and her goal is to build on what Everhart has accomplished.
“I’ve got large shoes to fill,” said VanVorst.
With a bit of self-deprecation, Everhart said, “Oh yeah. Size 5s.”
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
