My time in a leadership role at the Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce is ending. I can’t say this is a bittersweet moment as it is all sweet. I leave knowing the chamber is in excellent hands going forward and that the experience, although almost overwhelming at moments, is one I will always treasure. Additionally, the board members I have worked with, previous to and since becoming president in 2020, have been outstanding.

Also ending their service this year are Valerie Harrison and Jerry Herr, both OPACC directors. Heart and drive describe the two and I am lucky to call them friends.

Remaining on the board in 2024 are: Vice-President Theron Dixon, Treasurer Bob Beezley and co-directors Sylvana and JR Sorrells. The chamber is fortunate to have them all along with their enthusiasm and dedication. A word about Bob and his wife Judy. Both have served many years in many positions on the board. As treasurer, Bob is the best of the best and we have the most accurate books on the west coast — I am certain of that. Bob has also shouldered the heavy lifting of LTAC (lodging tax) reporting, a difficult task. Judy has handled the payroll and so many other accounting needs for the chamber through J & B Accounting. Dear friends and hard workers both.

Two other components help the chamber work successfully: the office administrator and social media director. I have worked with two admins over the years. Karen Boardman was the first and it was both a joy and a learning experience working with her. Karen was there before and during those first two years of the pandemic and stood strong throughout.

In 2021, Marilyn Van Sickle stepped into the admin role. Change can be difficult, especially in a role that is so important to the organization, but we certainly lucked out with Marilyn. She made the change easy and has been a boon to the chamber. We all wish her a speedy recovery and return in 2024 after a health concern is dealt with. You’ve got this dear friend!

Stephanie Juhnke also came onboard in 2021 as our social media director and although she has already made incredible and significant strides in those arenas, she has so much more in the works! Our reach on Instagram and Pinterest is enormous. Our Facebook page is a constant and current source of local and countywide happenings, and our website is getting better and better and better. Stephanie owns Tsunami Digital Marketing.

The current OPACC secretary, Suzanne Luttrell, will be stepping into the role of president at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31. I believe the sound of two corks popping (one at each of our homes) will be heard at that moment. Suzanne has taken to the work and responsibility of leading the chamber and is ready to go! I will be celebrating those same responsibilities being lifted off my shoulders.

The Ocean Park Area Chamber is experiencing a resurgence of energy, plans and membership. My sincere appreciation goes out to all chamber members and the community for helping to make this happen. As a group effort, we have done wonders with a very small annual budget of $50,000. With that amount we: provide for two paid jobs, maintain an office for members and visitors to drop by, keep our membership apprised of business and enrichment opportunities including changes and news; market events for our local area and the entirety of Pacific County, hold monthly meetings with upgraded remote technology, direct people to the appropriate county departments to find answers to questions, maintain a weekly outreach via digital newsletter to members, produce the NW Garlic Festival, donate to youth programs and are working with partners to revamp the Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade. In my eyes, we are the biggest bargain in the county!

I look forward to being “just” a member. I will be helping behind the scenes of some events a bit and am in process of researching the validity of some Lodging Tax Committee recommendations that are confusing at best. And I will miss all the work and fun. My deep and heartfelt thanks to OPACC for the wonderful experiences throughout the last several years. And wishes to everyone in our lovely community for a happy holiday season and joyous New Year!

BONNIE LOU COZBY


Outgoing OPACC President


Ocean Park