Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Administrative and Finance Director Karen Myers has a variety of gifts and is as comfortable creating art as she is balancing budgets or organizing events.

Before joining the Chamber in 2013, Myers had a diverse and varied career including serving as executive director of the Sheridan Artist Guild – now known as SAGE Community Arts – and as the executive director of the Sheridan County School District #1 recreation district. But of all the jobs she’s had in her working career, she’s stayed at the Chamber the longest. There’s a reason for that, Myers said.

“My favorite part is just the concept of the Chamber and what it stands for,” Myers said. “There’s no selfish ‘me me me’ attitude here. Everything we do here we do to better the community. This is the longest I’ve ever been in a job, and the happiest I’ve ever been. And I think that community focus is the reason.”

Myers is retiring from the Chamber at the end of December, although she will continue to stay on contract on a part-time basis helping with financials. The skills that Myers brought to the Chamber – from managing financials to serving as the staff liaison for the Chamber’s Government Affairs and Ag & Natural Resources committees – will be missed, according to Chamber CEO Teresa Detimore and Marketing and Communications Director Jodi Hartley.

“I’ve really appreciated her accuracy and organization,” Detimore said. “I call her the nonprofit accounting queen; we really couldn’t do our work without her.”

“Karen’s always the first one to ask ‘Do you need help?’” Hartley said. “No matter what she’s working on, she will always help with everything she can.”

When Myers was hired by then-Chamber CEO Dixie Johnson in February 2013, she worked part-time in a primarily financial role. But as she moved to a full-time position, she took on additional duties including serving as the staff liaison on the Chamber’s Government Affairs and Ag & Natural Resources committees.

“It was good, because that work broke up the monotony of the accounting stuff,” Myers said. “And that work introduced me to a lot of good people who are doing their best to make the community a better place.”

The Ag and Natural Resources committee works to promote and support agriculture, natural resources and public lands in Sheridan County. Among other things, the committee hosts agricultural forums, Lunchtime Conversations About Open Spaces and the FFA/4-H Buyer’s Dinner at the end of the Sheridan County Fair.

Clarke McClung, former chair of the Ag and Natural Resources committee, has worked closely with Myers over the years, and says she has been a steadfast presence that has helped the committee succeed in its work.

“Karen is organized and even-keeled,” McClung said. “During our time working together on different aspects of committee work, she always had a plan put together for what needed to happen and when. Karen was also very steady in her approach to getting things done; drama was not how she operated. Her way of working made it enjoyable to volunteer for the Chamber.”

The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee works to help shape public policy that benefits the Chamber membership by proactively promoting community dialogue. Among other things, the committee oversees the annual Legislative Forum, candidate forums during election years and the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast.

Cody Sinclair is a former Chamber board member and current chair of the Government Affairs Committee. Sinclair said that, in both roles, it was a pleasure to work closely with Myers.

“Karen is the quiet, thoughtful person behind the scenes who flat out gets stuff done,” Sinclair said. “She always makes sure that meetings run smoothly and thinks ahead on what people will need from handouts, information and agendas to food, beverages and AV equipment. I appreciate the grace with which she works with everyone. When things get stressful, Karen stays calm and collected and is kind to everyone. She is just a joy to work with, and I am grateful for all she’s done for me, the Chamber and our community.”

While Myers will continue to work part-time on the Chamber’s financials, management of the Ag and Natural Resources committee has been passed on to Program Development Director Kimberly Jacobson and management of the Government Affairs committee has been given to Office Resource Specialist Stephen Dow.

After retirement, Myers looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren, who all live in Sheridan, and creating more artwork. She is a proficient watercolor and oil painter and also refurbishes old furniture. With her daughter Jessie, she creates and sells art through The Pokey Plant, LLC, and plans to develop that business further after retiring.

Myers said her work with the Chamber was a legacy she could be proud of.

“It’s been very rewarding,” Myers said. “It kind of reshaped a lot of my thinking about how one organization can affect 800 other organizations and a whole community. The impact of the Chamber is pretty impressive, and I feel really honored to be a part of it.”

The Chamber will hold an open house/reception for Myers’ retirement on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 3-5 p.m. at the Chamber office at 54 S. Main St. All are welcome to come celebrate with Myers and the Chamber team.